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Licensing Update 06/11/09

Ofcom extends validation period for amateur licences issued between November 2006 to August 2007

Ofcom has decided this time round to automatically extend the validation period of licences issued from November 2006 to August 2007 for a further year – giving 6 years from the issue date. This will apply only to this category of licensees who have not changed or validated their licensing details since the issue date. After this, licence holders will need to update their licences themselves. Amateurs are encouraged to use the on-line licensing system – see below.

Ofcom has taken this decision to avoid having a large number of validations to process around the time of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Information applicable to all Amateur licensees and applicants:

In 2006, Ofcom introduced a new, improved online licensing system which facilitates amateur radio licensees validating their licence details as necessary, at least once every five years.

The site is now easier than ever to use with useful FAQs and tools to get you started. It only takes a few minutes to register your details and make any necessary updates to your licence.

Click here to register apply update or validate your licence on-line

If you are experiencing difficulties or need assistance in processing your licence on-line, please call 0300 123 1000 or 020 7981 3131

or Textphone: 020 7981 3043 or 0300 123 2024 (please note that textphone numbers only work with special equipment used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing).

FAQs

Q. Why has Ofcom taken this decision?

A. Ofcom has taken this decision to avoid having a large number of validations to process around the time of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012

Q. How do I know if my licence is affected?

A. Your licence will have an issue date between 1st November 2006 and 31st August 2007. Please make sure you have the most up to date version of your licence document as the issue date would have changed if you have made any amendments or validated the licence recently.

Q. My licence details are incorrect and needs updating. What do I do?

A. Register your details with the Ofcom online licensing services and make the necessary changes to your licence online. This includes changes to station and mailing addresses.

Q. Can I choose to validate my licence?

A. Yes you can validate your licence anytime you want. The easiest way is to register your details with the Ofcom online licensing services and validate your details online. This only takes a few minutes.

Q. Why is it important to validate?

A. It is important to validate because it is part of the terms, conditions and limitations of the licence. Ofcom must be notified of any changes to the details of the licence.

Q. Will I get a new licence document after Ofcom extends the validation period?

A. Ofcom will not be issuing any new licence documents to affected licensees. The main point to note is that if your licence has an issue date for instance 31st March 2007 then its new validation due date will be 30th March 2013. This is within six years as opposed to the normal five years.

Q. What do I do if a licensed family member or a friend is deceased and someone needs advice?

A. Ofcom would require a written notification with a copy of the death certificate or power of attorney to cancel the licence.

Licensing Update 13/05/08

Ofcom is pleased to announce that the M6 + 3 Letters series of call signs has now been made available for issue to applicants for the Amateur Foundation licence. The M3 + 3 Letter series of call signs will still be available to applicants for the Amateur Foundation licence until the M3 + 3 Letter series is exhausted.

Amateur Radio Licensing from 1 December 2006

The online licensing system

Ofcom's new online radio licensing system is now live. You can apply for a user account for the licensing system by registering your details at the following address:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/

Having registered, your username will be sent to you by post. It will then be possible to use the online radio licensing system in order to apply for a free, "lifetime" amateur radio Foundation, Intermediate or Full licence, or to amend, validate, or surrender your licence.

Please note that it will only be possible to apply for an amateur radio licence using this system if you are in possession of the relevant Radio Communications Foundation (RCF) Radio Amateur Examination (RAE) pass certificate which was issued from June 2003.

If you wish to apply for an amateur radio licence but do not have such an RCF RAE certificate, it will be necessary for you to use a paper application form. It will also be necessary to use the paper application form if you wish to change the name that appears on your licence. The paper application/amendment form can be downloaded at the following address:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/applications/

Please note Ofcom now encourage paper applicants to enclose photocopies on any supporting documentation (Examination certificates/birth/marriage certificates/HAREC certificates etc)

Applicants under the age of 75 will incur a £20 fee for each paper based "lifetime" licence application. There is currently no charge for amending, validating or surrendering a licence.

(If you prefer, you can still register your details as described above and edit your licence without making any changes, or if necessary, change your existing details. However, in both cases, your licence will be changed as a result and you will need to print the new version - you will not receive your new licence by post. Subsequent communications will then normally be by e-mail, particularly in relation to sending you your five year validation reminder request.)

The "lifetime" amateur radio licence

The new "lifetime" licence will remain valid for as long as the licence details remain correct or until such time as the licence is either revoked by Ofcom or surrendered by the licensee. There is no end date on the "lifetime" amateur radio licence but Ofcom will revoke the licence unless the licence is either amended or validated at least once every 5 years.

A sample of the new "lifetime" licence is available at the following address:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/Licences/

The UK Interface Requirement which details high level technical parameters for amateur radio equipment is available at the following address:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/amateur/technical/

If you have previously set up an automatic payment for your amateur radio licence (such as a Direct Debit or Standing Order for example) this fee will not be collected and we urge you to cancel any such arrangements.

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• Amateur radio licensing - Policy Statement
  Statement Foreword
• Amateur Radio FAQs
• Application Forms
• Contact Information
  Amateur and Maritime Team
• Fees Information
• General Information
• Licences
• Links to Industry Groups
• MORI report on amateur radio licensing
  Published 26|10|2005
• Notices
• Technical Information

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