This page was created following a request for information from one UK-based Essex Ham member:
“I’m off to the US on a business trip tomorrow. I have my radio packed and full license printed, but I’m trying to find concrete proof that I can operation in the US.”
The answer is “yes”, and we’ll explain why.
Out first port of call to double-check was the RSGB’s Operating Abroad page, which did contain some useful information, but not a concrete answer. This page will hopefully fill in some of the gaps:
Operating under CEPT
CEPT is a European organisation dealing with telecommunications. They are responsible for the document that allows UK amateurs to operate overseas – This is called “CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01”
The UK is a member of CEPT, as are quite a number of European countries. T/R 61-01 allows a full licence holder to operate in a CEPT country, subject to conditions. You can find a list of CEPT countries in the PDF here: CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01
CEPT Operating Rules
- CEPT TR 61-01 allows for temporary use whilst visiting (typically a maximum of 3 months).
- You must have a copy of your UK licence (bearing the CEPT logo) with you when operating
- You must adhere to the licence conditions (power, band plan, etc) of the country you’re visiting
- You must start your callsign with the country prefix listed in the CEPT document – So, operating in France, you would call as “F stroke M0QQQ”
Operating in the US
Ahh – But the US is not a CEPT country!
Some countries, outside CEPT, have agreed to the T/R 61-01 conditions, in the interest of harmony with other radio amateurs. The following note is found in the Ofcom Guidance for Licencees PDF:
“Some countries that are not members of CEPT have also agreed to apply Recommendation T/R 61-01. All of the countries that have agreed to apply Recommendation T/R 61-01 (whether or not they are members of CEPT) are listed on the CEPT website.”
The CEPT site can be found here: CEPT website – This is a list of countries, and the page also contains a PDF of CEPT T/R 61-01
Confirmation from the US ARRL
The US equivalent of the RSGB, the ARRL, gives some solid guidance on their Foreign Licenses operating in the US page:
“Foreign amateurs who wish to operate in the US and are not US licensees or citizens may do so in one of three ways:”
Holders of a UK Full licence are covered under the first point:
“If the country of which you are a citizen and an amateur licensee has entered into a multilateral operating agreement with the US, CEPT or IARP, no additional permit is required – simply bring your CEPT or IARP documentation when you visit the US. Identify your station by the US call district identifier, such as W3/G1ABC. Use “W” and the number of the FCC call letter district in which you are operating followed by a slash and your home call sign (plus any other CEPT or IARP requirements). Amateurs must be a citizen of the country in which they are licensed. Check these links for a list of the US call districts shown graphically or for a text listing. And make sure to check the current information with the FCC. This is intended for short visits.”
Permanent Overseas Licence
We’ve been asked by a resident in Spain how they can get a UK licence to use in Spain.
The only way to operate overseas on a UK licence is to get a Full UK licence. This requires you to pass the Foundation, Intermediate and Full exams (in that order). The Foundation & Intermediate exams include practical sessions. There are options to do all 3 exams in one day, notably at the annual RSGB conference, otherwise, it’s a case of using local UK clubs to do the practicals and take the exams.
Once all three are passed, you’re issued with a Full UK licence. A UK Full licence holder can then operate temporarily whilst visiting overseas in CEPT countries, or if the country is a CEPT member, you can apply for a reciprocal licence using something called a UK HAREC (Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate). The HAREC proves that the person has completed the required exams to qualify for a licence in other CEPT countries. 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.
Other Guidance
- Citizenship: We’ve read that it’s advisable to carry proof that you are a citizen of the country from which you got your licence. A passport would do nicely.
- Customs: The RSGB site notes: “There is usually little problem with customs. It certainly helps to be able to show that the equipment was purchased abroad and is not being exported. Unfortunately, neither a reciprocal licence nor operation under CEPT regulations is deemed an exemption from customs formalities.”
- Bands Plans & Licence Conditions: See www.iaru.org/member-societies.html for a list of bodies in each country – Copies of paperwork can be obtained from the national society in the target country
Hopefully, that helps. Any comments or suggestions, please add them below.
“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