GW7MGW
Member
I remember when I first got my licence there were two types, special two meter £5 (VP8XBHZ in my case) which licensed radio, with a frequency restriction not whole of two meter band, and full licence £10 (VP8BKM in my case) which covered all frequencies.
On return to UK I had to sit a test, again two licences, for a full licence I required a Morse code test, and the number on your licence told everyone what licence it was, so GW7 was VHF and up, GW0 was full, there were some odd call signs so GW8NT was a HF call sign even with the 8 as only two letters after the call sign.
I am told Morse requirement was dropped, so now even as a GW7 I can use all frequencies, however new call signs seem to start with M not G and I have not a clue what the call signs mean? I read there are now three types of licence, however not a clue what they can't and can do, or how you get them?
My VR2ZEP call sign was got by producing my C&G exam certificate, and I should think a visitor from the Falklands would still have to take an exam in the UK even when they have been a Ham for many years, I know many a ships radio operator would sit the exam at same time as their marine one, it was only knowledge of frequencies which were extra to their marine training.
Oddly 70 cm not permitted in Hong Kong yet they sat the British exam. So what happens today, and what happens if you let the licence lapse, my son for example has passed the RAE, got a call sign but lost interest, if he wants to take it up again, can he get his old call sign and how does he do it?
And what are the rules as far as Ham with RAE certificate who visits? As it was even without renewing his call sign my son could use my radio if I was with him, not just greeting messages.
So today if some one for example comes to UK from Hong Kong who has passed his RAE but never got a UK licence although he has held a British licence, can he simply apply for a British licence or does he need to take further tests?
On return to UK I had to sit a test, again two licences, for a full licence I required a Morse code test, and the number on your licence told everyone what licence it was, so GW7 was VHF and up, GW0 was full, there were some odd call signs so GW8NT was a HF call sign even with the 8 as only two letters after the call sign.
I am told Morse requirement was dropped, so now even as a GW7 I can use all frequencies, however new call signs seem to start with M not G and I have not a clue what the call signs mean? I read there are now three types of licence, however not a clue what they can't and can do, or how you get them?
My VR2ZEP call sign was got by producing my C&G exam certificate, and I should think a visitor from the Falklands would still have to take an exam in the UK even when they have been a Ham for many years, I know many a ships radio operator would sit the exam at same time as their marine one, it was only knowledge of frequencies which were extra to their marine training.
Oddly 70 cm not permitted in Hong Kong yet they sat the British exam. So what happens today, and what happens if you let the licence lapse, my son for example has passed the RAE, got a call sign but lost interest, if he wants to take it up again, can he get his old call sign and how does he do it?
And what are the rules as far as Ham with RAE certificate who visits? As it was even without renewing his call sign my son could use my radio if I was with him, not just greeting messages.
So today if some one for example comes to UK from Hong Kong who has passed his RAE but never got a UK licence although he has held a British licence, can he simply apply for a British licence or does he need to take further tests?