Information for amateur radio licensees

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If you're looking to use certain radio equipment, or broadcast on TV or radio, you'll need a licence from Ofcom.

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- You need a licence from Ofcom if you’re looking to use certain radio equipment (like amateur or ships radio), or broadcast on TV or radio.
- Help with your spectrum licence
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Cymraeg

Spectrum Radio equipment Licence information

Published: 21 February 2024

Last updated: 14 October 2025

Licensing portal

Where you can apply for a new licence or manage an existing licence.

General Notice of decision to vary amateur radio licences

On 21 February 2024 Ofcom published a General Notice of the decision to vary amateur radio licences.

Read about licensing updates

Regulations and technical information

Notices of Variation (NoVs)

You can apply for and issue a Special Event NoV via our Online Licensing System.

To apply for a Special research permit please complete the following form and send to Spectrum Licensing:

OfW306 Application for an Amateur Radio special research permit PDF, 28.9 KB

Arrangements for special event stations to mark the centenary of the cub scouts and events in the Great War.

Variation for a special contest callsign

The RSGB processes applications for Special contest callsigns for Ofcom, although it remains Ofcom's decision on whether or not to grant a variation.

Who may apply for a Notice of Variation? (PDF, 187.2 KB)

If You Operate Ham Radio in the UK, WATCH THIS!

Related content

Amateur radio guidance: Misuse and licence revocation

This section explains what licence holders can do to help deal with the problem of licensees who choose to operate irresponsibly

Licensing updates

Here we provide news and updates on Ofcom’s spectrum licensing system and our implementation of related policy changes to update Stakeholders.

See also...

Localness guidelines

Ofcom is required to ensure that local commercial radio stations provide an appropriate amount of programmes, including local material, and locally made programmes. Ofcom is also required to provide guidelines as to how these requirements should be met.

Commercial radio industry data collection

Information on submitting radio relevant turnover returns for commercial licence holders.

Rules on using radio equipment

Ofcom's rules on how to use radio equipment to prevent interference between users, including licence-exempt use and devices like jammers and repeaters.

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