This page was originally created following a question from a UK-based Essex Ham member:
“I’m off to the US on a business trip tomorrow. I have my radio packed and Full licence printed, but I’m trying to find concrete proof that I can operate in the US.”
The short answer is yes – a UK Full licence holder can operate temporarily in the United States under international reciprocal arrangements, subject to the relevant conditions.
The same arrangements also make it possible for UK Full licensees to operate temporarily in many other countries.
Taking your amateur radio licence abroad
International amateur radio operation is made easier by agreements between countries recognising each other’s amateur radio qualifications.
For UK amateurs, one of the most important is CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01.
CEPT is the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations. Despite the name, some countries outside CEPT – including the United States – also participate in the T/R 61-01 arrangements.
You can check the current recommendation and participating countries here:
CEPT T/R 61-01 – current implementation information
Who can operate under CEPT T/R 61-01?
For UK amateurs, CEPT T/R 61-01 privileges apply to the UK Full amateur radio licence.
A UK Foundation or Intermediate licence does not automatically give you CEPT T/R 61-01 operating privileges overseas.
If you only hold a Foundation or Intermediate licence, check the rules of the country you’re visiting before taking a radio with the intention of transmitting.
CEPT operating rules
If you’re using your UK Full licence to operate temporarily in another participating country, there are some important points to remember:
- The arrangement is intended for temporary visits, normally for a period of up to three months.
- Carry the documentation required under the CEPT arrangements, including evidence of your UK Full licence.
- You must follow the amateur radio regulations of the country you’re visiting.
- That includes the frequencies, modes and power levels you’re permitted to use.
- You normally use a prefix identifying the country or region you’re operating from together with your UK callsign.
Don’t assume that your UK licence conditions simply travel with you. When operating abroad, the rules of the country you’re operating in matter.
Can a UK amateur operate in the USA?
Yes. The United States is not itself a CEPT member, but it participates in the CEPT T/R 61-01 arrangements.
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) confirms that eligible foreign amateurs visiting the United States under CEPT arrangements do not need an additional US amateur radio permit.
For a UK amateur, this means that a visitor who meets the requirements can operate temporarily in the USA using their UK Full licence and the CEPT arrangements.
See the current guidance here:
ARRL – Foreign Licences Operating in the US
What callsign do I use in the USA?
When operating in the United States under the CEPT arrangements, the ARRL guidance says to identify using the appropriate US call district identifier followed by your home callsign.
For example, a UK operator M0ABC operating in US call district 3 would identify as:
W3/M0ABC
The number changes according to the US call district you’re operating from, so check the appropriate district before going on air.
What frequencies and power can I use?
This is an important point: don’t simply assume that the UK band plan and UK licence conditions apply.
When operating in another country, check the local amateur radio regulations and band allocations.
For a trip to the USA, check the current FCC and ARRL information covering the frequencies and operating privileges available to visiting amateurs.
What should I take with me?
Before travelling, it’s sensible to have:
- Your current UK Full amateur radio licence documentation
- The relevant CEPT T/R 61-01 information
- Your passport or other appropriate identification
- Details of the amateur radio rules in the country you’re visiting
- Information on the correct callsign prefix to use
It’s much easier to check all of this before travelling than to try to establish the rules after you’ve arrived.
What about taking radio equipment through customs?
Permission to operate amateur radio equipment does not necessarily exempt that equipment from customs or import requirements.
For an ordinary holiday or business trip, taking a handheld or portable station may be straightforward, but regulations differ between countries.
If you’re taking expensive equipment, unusual batteries, large quantities of equipment or intend leaving equipment overseas, check the relevant customs and airline requirements before travelling.
What if I’m moving overseas permanently?
CEPT T/R 61-01 is primarily intended to make temporary operation while visiting another country easier. It isn’t a substitute for obtaining the appropriate local licence if you’re permanently resident overseas.
A UK Full qualification is associated with the harmonised amateur radio examination standard known as HAREC (Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate).
CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-02 covers recognition of HAREC qualifications. In countries implementing that recommendation, a UK Full qualification may help you obtain the appropriate national amateur radio licence without having to repeat the complete examination process.
Exactly how this works depends on the country concerned, so someone moving permanently to Spain, France, Germany or elsewhere should contact that country’s radio regulator or national amateur radio society for the current procedure.
What if I only have a Foundation or Intermediate licence?
If overseas operation interests you, this is another good reason to consider progressing to the Full licence.
The Foundation and Intermediate licences give considerable operating privileges within the UK, but the Full licence is the UK licence level associated with the main CEPT international arrangements.
If you’re starting from scratch, the normal UK route is:
Foundation → Intermediate → Full
Alternatively, experienced candidates can consider the Direct to Full examination route.
Want to get an amateur radio licence?If you’re new to amateur radio, the normal starting point is the UK Foundation Licence. Essex Ham offers a FREE online Foundation training course designed for complete beginners. |
Check before you travel
International licensing arrangements and national regulations can change, so always check the current requirements before operating abroad.
Useful sources include:
- CEPT T/R 61-01 implementation information
- RSGB licensing and overseas operating information
- ARRL guidance for foreign amateurs operating in the USA
For countries other than the USA, the national amateur radio society is also a useful source of local information.
Related content
- How to become a radio amateur
- Free Foundation Online course
- Intermediate licence training
- Direct to Full exam
“The only way to operate overseas on a UK licence is to get a Full UK licence.”
This is false. A UK Intermediate licence holder can operate from certain countries abroad, if they have sought permission from the host country. Not a well known quirk in the rules.
How this applies to a permanent resident of that country I am not sure, but it is certainly the case for temporary operators.
Please see.
https://www.ecodocdb.dk/download/0c9ce02d-96b4/Rec0506.pdf
Sorry I am afriad you could be giving false hope here. From what I read this document is only a “recommendation” a proposal to change the rules to allow novice or indermediate as we call them holders to use their equuipment aboard.
I have read something similar – it all depends on the country as some have something like a junior CEPT style license which loosely correlates to about the intermediate.
But again it is up to the country and their OFCOM equivalent.
Recommendation 05(06) is of similar standing to Recommendation T/R 61-01 – it creates a CEPT Novice Licence. However, the UK does not participate in Recommendation 05(06), so UK Intermediate licensees do not have CEPT Novice privileges abroad and Recommendation 05(06) licence holders do not have any operating privileges in the United Kingdom. For confirmation of the situation, see Ofcom’s “Amateur Radio Licence: Guidance for licensees” (2018 revision), paragraphs 2.34 and 2.35.
It would seem proportionate for the UK to enter Recommendation 05(06) so that UK Intermediates have CEPT Novice privileges abroad and CEPT Novices have temporary Intermediate privileges in the UK. Maybe this will happen in the future.
David we can do a one or two day course and take our technician examination and then operate on most of HF. USA has disincentive licensing to somehow encourage people to get their extra class where as we have power limitations as opposed to frequency limitations that FCC impose. DE G4ELD
Anyone know how this applies to overseas amateurs operating in the UK?
My ears priced today when I head F4*** mobile calling! When I asked him which part of France he was he said he was on the A303 near Wincherster
My understanding is he should have really pre-fixed his call with G/ or perhaps its M these days? Just wondered if anybody knew what the legal requirement was these days with the CEPT regs.
He should indeed have operated as M/F#???
While in the UK
I understand the CEPT aspect to operating abroad, and the fact a full licence is the way to go. How does this apply to DMR if I was using a mobile app ! In other words I’m not using a radio to transmit RF, but a mobile phone !!
Which app are you referring to? And what would you be attempting to do – talk to people in the country you’re visiting using a local DMR repeater without a Full UK licence?
Hey Pete, hope all is well… just asked this question myself and i refer to the use of echolink on an android device as an example, as its not using RF in the foreign country. can i still call home on uk repeaters?
M7UKP.
many thanks mate.
Pete, stoke on trent, achieved the foundation in Dec 2021 and loving it!!!!!!
Accessing DMR via a phone app while abroad needs no license. If you intend to access via means of RF / using a radio !! yes you will need a licence.
The UK Full licence includes a HAREC by default. You’d use a UK HAREC to ask the overseas regulator to issue you with a licence.
So how do I show the Spanish that I have a HAREC if its already included in my full license ?
Many Thanks Lionel
G6JLM
G6JLM
I read this too.
I was under the impression that you must apply for a UK HAREC from Ofcom.
THEN apply to the country of interests licensing authority.
Be good if someone could clarify this
Regards.
Robert
The second page of the licence states: “If this Licence is a Full Licence then the Licensee shall also be authorised to operate in countries which have implemented CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01 in accordance with Clause 2(1)(b) of Section 2.”
Spain is signed up to CEPT (Source: https://docdb.cept.org/download/2ae38a89-e58a/TR6101.pdf), so there should be no problem and page 2 of the licence can be shown to Spanish authorities. If the Spanish equivelent of Ofcom needs confirmation that the UK has signed to CEPT, this can be found at cept.org
Hope that helps,
Pete
I have a Full licence and have been issued with a licence to operate VHF on marine channels, this licence has a MMSI number which identifies me.
The only problem is I can’t use the licence unless I have a recognised certificate of competency.
That means spending £170 to attend a one day course and talking a multi choice exam at the end of the day. The RYA run this. Any thoughts?
I don’t know much about marine licences, so I had a quick look online and found this:
“ A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio either fixed or hand held.”
See: https://www.rya.org.uk/training/courses/Marine-Radio-SRC-Course-and-Exam-SRCC
Does that help?
Surely Sweden allows any British licence holder at any level, to use their equipment on a temporary basis while in their territory?
I have met quite a few Foundation licence holders who have used handhelds in Sweden.
If the following question is posted in the wrong place, please move it to where it can be answered & found.
I trust someone that knows or has been through this can help.
I’m a Brit ex-pat living in Canada that has a Canadian Basic + Advanced Radio Amateur Certificate/Licence. Anyone know if OFCOM will issue a Full UK Amateur Licence to the holder of a Canadian Advanced Certificate/Licence?
Thanks
Just to clarify, UK Foundation and Intermediate holders have been operating Overseas since 2003.
The first recorded instance of a Foundation holder operating abroad was M3ZMC as detailed in an item titled ‘M3 Reciprocal’ in the July 2003 issue of RadCom.
In 2004 then Chelmsford ARS member M3CCM emailed the FCC to asked for reciprocal operating while in the US on holiday. The FCC approved the request.
Since then many countries around the world have been allowing Foundation and Intermediate holders to operate while on holiday, all that’s required is an email with a copy of your 3-page licence to ask permission.
Since this article was first written the situation in Spain has changed, Foundation and Intermediate can now operate in Spain if they ask first. Details of how to do it are at https://wiki.oarc.uk/operating_abroad