# UK Amateur Radio ## Foundation Licence 2002
### Licence Conditions
This part of the course is what you might think of as boring but it is important from the point of view that you need to know certain things in order to properly operate a station within the restrictions of the Licence conditions. The text given below must be read in association with the Licence terms access to which is from the link below. Where there are extracts from the Licence Terms they are given in RED. Those given in brown whilst part of the licence as not part of the assessment Some duplication occurs when sub subsection are refered to as it was thought easier than you having to search to look them up !! Amateur Radio (Foundation) Licence terms With that in mind let's make a start.
Identify types of Amateur Radio Licence | There are several types of amateur radio licence and each has it own restrictions with regard to the bands on which the licence holder may operate and the transmitter power they may use.
Top rung of the ladder | Full A licence Full B licence
Next rung down | Intermediate A licence Intermediate B licence
bottom rung | The Foundation Licence There is only one type of licence here.
The higher you are up the ladder the more advanced classes of amateur radio licence exist which allow greater facilities and allows the use of home brew or modified transmitting equipment.
Format of Amateur Callsigns in UK. Jersey & Guernsey are Channel Islands off the coast of France | Callsigns fall into three categories. Foundation, Intermediate and Full. There are secondary locators used and knowledge of those used in relation to the Foundation Licence must be known. In the examples below the "x" is replaced by the secondary identifier.
Full A | Mx0ABC | Full B | Mx1ABC
Intermediate A | 2x0ABC | Intermediate B | 2x1ABC
Foundation | Mx3ABC
NOTE: There is only one type of licence at Foundation level.
D | Isle of Man | E | England but only used with Intermediate Licensed calls
I | Northern Island | J | Jersey
M | Scotland | U | Guernsey
W | Wales |  |
There are other callsigns but there is not the need to know these nor the method of showing that the use of HF is permitted by the licence holder.
Licence Terms and conditions | When you have passed your Foundation Licence you will be issued with a validation document. That document will tell you what your Callsign is which for the purpose of this section we will assume is M3ABC.
By way of example of the Secondary locators mentioned above if your main station were on the Isle of Man then the callsign would be MD3ABC. However if you went motor touring in Scotland then the callsign would be MM3ABC/M. If you then went over the border to England the callsign would change to M3ABC. Requirement to identify. 7(1) Subject to sub-clause (1A) below, which does not apply to operation via repeaters during transmissions, the Licensee shall transmit the call sign specified in the Validation Document: (a) during initial calls ("CQ" calls); (b) at the beginning and at the end of each period of communication with a licensed amateur and when the period of communication is longer than 15 minutes, at the end of each interval of 15 minutes; (c) at the beginning of transmission on a new frequency (whenever the frequency of transmission is changed); (d) by the same type of transmission that is being used for the communication; (e) on the same carrier frequency that is being used for the communication; and (f) by morse telegraphy or telephony, at the end of each 30 minute period during which transmissions are sent from the Station (unless already transmitting in morse telegraphy or telephony). 7(1A) When operating within a net, the Licensee shall observe the following requirements in relation to the transmission of his call sign: (a) he shall transmit his call sign when he first joins the net and on leaving it; (b) subject to sub-clause 7(1A) (c) below, whilst participating in the net, he shall not be obliged to transmit his call sign when making contact with other participants; (c) whilst participating in the net, he shall transmit his call sign: (i) when 15 minutes have elapsed since the last transmission of his call sign; or (ii) if he has not transmitted speech before 15 minutes have elapsed since such transmission, on the first occasion thereafter on which he transmits speech. When operating an Amateur Station to identify your station by the use of the callsign when :- Calling CQ which is a general call to any other amateur listening to respond to you and would take the form of :- "CQ CQ CQ this is M3ABC Mike three Alpha Bravo Charlie calling CQ and standing by" At the beginning and end of each period of communication or each 15 minutes which ever is the shorter. At the beginning of transmission on a new frequency (that is when ever you change frequencies) By the use of the same type of transmission as is being used in the communication. Thus if you are speaking to someone then in a spoken voice, if using another mode say packet or RTTY or PSk31 then in that same mode. On the same carrier frequency that is being used for the communication. When you are joining and leaving a net and again when whenever 15 minutes have elapse since last transmission of your call sign. When you are at a Temporary Location you must use the suffix /P 7(2) At a Temporary Location, the Licensee shall: (a) use the suffix "/P" with his call sign and give the location of the Station every 30 minutes to an accuracy of at least 5km by a generally used identifier (for guidance see note (t) to this booklet); or (b) give prior written notice of the location to the Operations Manager of the local office of the Radiocommunications Agency in whose area the operation is to take place. Note (t) When the Station must be identified in accordance with sub-clause 7(2) (a), it is recommended that one of the following location identifiers be used: (i) the full postcode, (ii) latitude and longitude in degrees and minutes, (iii) National Grid Reference correct to six figures, (iv) International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) locator, or (v) the address or other geographical description correct to 1km. So you use M3ABC/P and give the location to an accuracy of 5kms or you can vary your main station location address by giving written prior notification to the Operation manager of the local office of the Radiocommunications Agency If you go our Mobile the you must use the suffix /M 7(3) When Mobile, the Licensee shall use the suffix"/M". it is as simple as that and no log keeping whilst mobile except for your own interest. Who can you communicate with ????? 1(2) The Licensee shall address Messages only to other licensed amateurs or the stations of licensed amateurs and shall send only: Messages relating to technical investigations or remarks of a personal character; or Signals (not enciphered) which form part of, or relate to, the transmission of Messages. You can only communicate with other licensed amateurs. Also 1(5) The Licensee may send messages to individual amateurs but shall not send messages (whether directly or for onward transmission by another station) for general reception by licensed amateurs other than: initial calls; or to groups of licensed amateurs as long as communication is first established separately with at least one licensed amateur in any such group; or to licensed amateurs who participate within a net and subject to the identification requirements provided for in sub-clause 7(1A) below; or messages transmitted via a mailbox or bulletin board for reception by all or any licensed amateurs who have the facility to transmit and receive RTTY or data transmissions. 7(1A) When operating within a net, the Licensee shall observe the following requirements in relation to the transmission of his call sign: (a) he shall transmit his call sign when he first joins the net and on leaving it; (b) subject to sub-clause 7(1A) (c) below, whilst participating in the net, he shall not be obliged to transmit his call sign when making contact with other participants; (c) whilst participating in the net, he shall transmit his call sign: (i) when 15 minutes have elapsed since the last transmission of his call sign; or (ii) if he has not transmitted speech before 15 minutes have elapsed since such transmission, on the first occasion thereafter on which he transmits speech. What can you communicate ?? you can only chat about technical or personal matters as they relate to you. You may not use secret code, in other words the information in your communication must be capable of being understood by others - easily. No religion or politics. 1(4) The Licensee may use codes and abbreviations for communications as long as they do not obscure the meaning of, but only facilitate, the communications. Thus you are allowed to use the abbreviation that are in common use eg CQ,and the various "Q" codes. You cannot just broadcast 1(5) The Licensee may send messages to individual amateurs but shall not send messages (whether directly or for onward transmission by another station) for general reception by licensed amateurs other than: initial calls; or to groups of licensed amateurs as long as communication is first established separately with at least one licensed amateur in any such group; or to licensed amateurs who participate within a net and subject to the identification requirements provided for in sub-clause 7(1A) below; or messages transmitted via a mailbox or bulletin board for reception by all or any licensed amateurs who have the facility to transmit and receive RTTY or data transmissions. 7(1A) When operating within a net, the Licensee shall observe the following requirements in relation to the transmission of his call sign: (a) he shall transmit his call sign when he first joins the net and on leaving it; So you may call for general reception if:- A) it is to make an initial call CQ b) it is to speak to a group of amateurs to whom you have already made individual contact c) you are working a net but you must send your message to an individual amateur however in a net the others will hear you if they are in range. Remember also that Shortwave Listeners can also hear your transmissions so the proper method of operating is required at all times. You cannot transmit music 1(6) The Licensee shall not transmit such material as music, public broadcasts or speeches. No music under any circumstances - so ensure the radio - cd player etc, cannot be heard over your transmissions!!! Only you can operate your station 2(4) The Station shall be operated only by the Licensee personally. That is the rule. You are not allowed to supervise operation of your station. However should you allow any other licensed amateur to use your station's equipment then the must operate it as if it were their own and give their own callsign as either /P or /M. They do not make an entry in your log book. Should you move then you must notify 1(9) The Licensee shall give prior written notice to the Secretary of State at the address specified in note (a) to this Booklet of any change in the Main Station Address (or mailing address, if different). Note(a) Remittances and correspondence should be sent to the Radio Licensing Centre, Post Office, PO Box 885, Bristol BA99 SLG. Tel: (0117) 925 8333. Any/all changes of address. You must give PRIOR notice to the Secretary of State of the new address where the station has moved to. The local RA office has the right of inspection 8(1) The Licensee shall permit a person authorised by the Secretary of State: (a) to have access to the Station; and (b) to inspect the Licence and Log and to inspect the apparatus of the Station at any and all reasonable times (or when, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, an urgent situation exists at any time) for the purpose of verifying compliance with the terms of the Licence. So "they" can come and have a look at the station and to look at the log book and to inspect the apparatus of the station at any and all reasonable times The local RA office has the right to close down 8(2) When, in the opinion of the Secretary of State: (a) the Licensee is in breach of the Licence; and (b) the breach justifies immediate restriction or close down, the Licensee shall restrict the operation of or close down and cease to operate, the station (or any apparatus comprised in the Station) forthwith in accordance with the demand of a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the temporary period specified in the demand. So they can close down your station or restrict its operation.
The station must have a log book 6(1) The Licensee shall keep a permanent record (the "Log") of all wireless telegraphy transmissions at the Main Station Address and all Temporary Locations showing: (a) dates of transmission; (b) the times (in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC)) during each day of (i) the first and last transmissions from the Station; and (ii) changes made to the frequency band, class of emission or power; (c) frequency band of transmission; (d) mode of transmission; (e) power; (f) initial calls ("CQ" calls) (whether or not they are answered); (g) the call sign of licensed amateurs or licensed stations with which communications have been established (not including those amateurs or stations which form part of the intermediate relay of Messages); and (h) location when the station is operated at a Temporary Location. So you will need to include the following information about your transmission(s):-
Date & Time (UTC) of the start and finish of periods of operation
Frequency band of transmission
Mode of transmission - whilst at higher levels of amateur radio licence knowledge of emissions designators is required it is not mandatory that they are used in a log provided the log is clear and unambiguous. Thus the "formal" designators have been omitted from the course and consequently the use of AM USB LSB and FM, Packet RTTY and so on will suffice.
Power used
Callsign of the amateur radio station which was called and or worked
You must also log Initial "CQ" calls whether answered or not - the location when the station is operated at a temporary location - Changes in frequency bands - when the station closes. The diagram below shows the items required and also items which will be of interest to you when you look back through the log - the report you gave and received, whether you Sent / Received a QSL card and lastly any general remarks.
Your station log shall be written in book or maintained on magnetic tape, disc or other electronic storage medium. 6(3) Where the Log is maintained: (a) in a book, the book shall not be loose-leaf and no gaps shall be left between the entries; on a magnetic tape, disc or other electronic storage medium, the magnetic tape, disc or electronic storage medium shall be used only to keep the Log. Where the Log is maintained on a magnetic tape, disc or other electronic storage medium, suitable precautions should be taken to ensure that the log is backed up. If the log is maintained on an electronic storage medium the means to view the Log and produce hard copy shall be kept readily available at the main station. The electronic medium shall only be used for the purpose of maintaining the Log and there must be suitable back up. Where the log is kept in a book it must not be loose-leaf nor must there be any gaps between entries. The log must be kept for 6 months from the date of the last entry. You must be able to understand the schedules to the licence. The good thing here is that you do not have to learn them only know how to use them ..... Well that completes the boring side of things but you do have to know them to be able to operate your station properly.

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