Good news for Hams who want to celebrate the Royal Wedding..

**Stuart** · 25-04-2011, 12:01

OFCOM will allow you a temporary licence to change your callsign to commemorate the Royal Wedding.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today...00/9465997.stm

**Kymmy** · 25-04-2011, 12:44

It is though on request only so it might be a bit late for those wanting to use GR, MR or 2R prefixes

---------- Post added at 12:44 ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 ----------

My mistake, Ofcom have finally done us proud and done a web application page

http://www.etcc.rsgb.org/RoyalWedding/rw_app.htm

They're looking at a 72 hour turn around time for sending you a link to your NoV

Hom3r · 25-04-2011, 13:51

Can somebody please explain what this means in english, to us non radio hams.

**Kymmy** · 25-04-2011, 14:14

It's just altering a hams callsign in honour of the royal wedding. So instead of the current G,M or 2E callsigns prefixes for a limited time they can use GR, MR or 2R..

Hom3r · 25-04-2011, 18:21

What is the relevance of the prefix?

Jon T · 25-04-2011, 18:46

Did you apply for your NOV Kymmy? Put my application in this morning.

The relevance is that R is for "Royal", other than that nothing really, it will attract a bit of activity in that some Hams treat callsigns the same way trainspotters collect numbers. It's one way for the UK ham community to celebrate the occasion.

EDIT:

Hom3r, every Ham worldwide has a callsign unique to them issued by whatever regulatory body looks after the RF spectrum in that country. Callsigns generally follow the format of a country prefix, a number/numbers, and three letters, for example my callsign starts with M1, M being one of the designated identification letters for the UK(the others being G and 2), with the Royal wedding prefix added, the start of my callsign will become MR1.

EDIT 2:

Kymmy, I saw/heard that news article today, the sound quality is awful, not to mention that on the first bit of SSB featured, either the Ham involved couldn't tune a SSB signal, or the BBC didn't give them time to tune it in. Not sure it was the best PR in the world for us.

**Kymmy** · 25-04-2011, 19:09

Yep the quality was comical.

I applied once I saw Stuarts thread so that means if it goes through in time I can be a GR7 (and no I don't mean the aircraft

)

Homer, to expand on Jon's reference.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_sign

Uncle Peter · 27-04-2011, 02:14

Judging by the operating in that BBC clip they sound like the types who end up 5MHz wide with an amp that's no longer linear.

Jon T · 27-04-2011, 13:09

I was emailed my NOV this morning, just need to make a QSL card for my "MR" callsign tonight/tomorrow!

**Kymmy** · 27-04-2011, 14:41

Got mine through at midday

Gary L · 27-04-2011, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon T

with the Royal wedding prefix added, the start of my callsign will become MR1.

So I could be called MR1 Joe 90?

One Nine MR1 Joe 90, come in buddy..

Uncle Peter · 27-04-2011, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon T

I was emailed my NOV this morning, just need to make a QSL card for my "MR" callsign tonight/tomorrow!

Will you be QRV anywhere Friday then?

We're off into yonder hills for some portable shenanigans.

Jon T · 27-04-2011, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary L

So I could be called MR1 Joe 90?

One Nine MR1 Joe 90, come in buddy..

On a CB, which you appear to be referring to, you can be anything you want to be.

On the Amateur bands you identify yourself with your station's allocated callsign, not one you've made up yourself.

---------- Post added at 18:01 ---------- Previous post was at 17:57 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter

Will you be QRV anywhere Friday then?

We're off into yonder hills for some portable shenanigans.

I should think so, probably only HF, I can do PSK, SSTV or voice, anywhere from 40M up. I can do VHF/UHF as well but only FM.

**Russ** · 27-04-2011, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon T

On a CB, which you appear to be referring to, you can be anything you want to be.

Doesn't Radio Ham law state you have to snort audibly and point your nose in the air while saying that?

Jon T · 27-04-2011, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

Doesn't Radio Ham law state you have to snort audibly and point your nose in the air while saying that?

Not to my knowledge

Certain preconceptions exist on the CB, Ham, and the totally radio disinterested side of things. Most of the time it's pure ignorance, or perhaps a bad experience/encounter with one of the other groups.

Live and let live, if it floats you boat, then do it, just don't shove it down other's throats, or frown on a similar activity because you think yours is better.