UK Callsign Guide
I found several documents that offered online and offline that offered details of UK callsigns but none where what I would class as a complete resource in one place. So as a resource I've gathered all the information I can on UK Callsigns and issue dates I can find and have put them here.
The Foundation Licence
| Call sign description |
Issue dates and details |
| M3 + 3 letters |
Expired Autumn 2008 |
| M6 + 3 letters |
from 13 May 2008 |
The Intermediate Licence
| Call sign description |
Issue dates and details |
| 2E0 + 3 letters |
Issued from 1991 onwards as Intermediate licence.
Issued as Novice class A licence from 1991 for use on all Novice allocations. |
| 2E1 + 3 letters |
Issued from 1991 onwards as Intermediate licence.
Issued as Novice class B licence from 1991 for use on Novice allocations above 30 MHz |
Full Licence
| Call sign description |
Issue dates and details |
| G2 + 2 letters |
1920 / 1939 |
| G3 + 2 letters |
1937 / 1938 |
| G4 + 2 letters |
1938 / 1939 |
| G5 + 2 letters |
1921 / 1939 |
| G6 + 2 letters |
1921 / 1939 |
| G8 + 2 letters |
1936 / 1937 |
| G1 + 3 letters |
1983 / 1988
originally issued as Class B licence. |
| G2 + 3 letters |
1920s to 1939
Originally issued as "Artificial Aerial" licence |
| G3 + 3 letters |
Issued between 1946 / 1971.
Originally issued to amateur radio licence and Class A amateur radio licence holders. |
| G4 + 3 letters |
Issued between 1971 / 1985.
Originally issued to amateur radio class A licence holders. |
| G5 + 3 letters |
Originally issued to foreign nationals as a form of reciprocal ham radio licence.
"Withdrawn" and the licensee could either use the UK extension or get a UK Licence. |
| G6 + 3 letters |
1981 / 1983.
Originally issued as a class B licence |
| G7 + 3 letters |
1989 / 1996.
Originally issued as a class B licence |
| G8 + 3 letters |
1964 / 1981.
Originally issued as a class B licence |
| G0 + 3 letters |
1986 / 1996.
Originally issued as a class A licence |
| M1 + 3 letters |
1996 onwards
Originally issued as a class B licence. |
| M0 + 3 letters |
1996 Omwards
Originally issued as a class A licence |
Country Code Identifier examples
| Call sign prefix |
Country |
| 2E |
England |
| 2D |
Isle of Man |
| 2I |
Northern Irelend |
| 2J |
Jersey |
| 2M |
Scotland |
| 2U |
Guernsey |
| 2W |
Wales |
Countries Codes for Full Licence holders and foundations
| Prefix |
Country / purpose |
| G / M, no second letter |
England |
| GB |
Special event stations |
| GC / MC |
Wales - club licence |
| GD / MD |
Isle of Man |
| GH / MH |
Jersey - club licence |
| GI / MI |
Northern Ireland |
| GJ / MJ |
Jersey |
| GM / MM |
Scotland |
| GN / MN |
Northern Ireland - club licence |
| GP / MP |
Guernsey - club licence |
| GS / MS |
Scotland - club licence |
| GT / MT |
Isle of Man - club licence |
| GU / MU |
Guernsey |
| GX / MX |
England - club licence |
| GW / MW |
Wales |
GB call signs
The GB prefix is used for a variety of special ham radio licences like repeaters, beacons, data mailboxes and special even stations.
| GB call sign format |
Purpose |
| GB3 + 2 letters |
Repeaters |
| GB3 + 3 letters |
Beacons |
| GB7 + 2 letters |
Data repeaters |
| GB7 + 3 letters |
Data mailboxes |
| GB + other digits not mentioned above |
Special event stations |