Radio amateur call signs

Radio amateur call signs and their forms

The call sign of an amateur radio station is stated in the radio licence. A call sign consists of a country code (prefix) followed by a numerical part and a suffix.

The call signs that are assigned have a country code beginning with OH. When the licence application is handled, the next available suffix is taken into use. A radio amateur can request for a specific number as the numerical part of the call sign. If no request has been made, the number is assigned by FICORA. Number 0 is given only to amateur radio stations in the Province of Åland.

Radio amateurs may choose a call sign of their own choice ("vanity call"). In that case, the call charge is €169.37 (incl. VAT). The fee is collected once and only if the request for a call sign can be carried out. The prefix of a vanity call can be OH or OG. Acceptable characters for suffixes are letters between A and Z and numbers between 0 and 9. Suffixes can consist of one, two, three or four characters and the last character must be a letter.

The applications are handled in the order they are received. Once the fee has been paid, the amateur radio station licence with a call sign is issued.

An amateur radio station licence is renewed automatically at intervals of five years, unless the licence is terminated by the holder. However, all call signs beginning with the prefix OG and such privately-owned call signs that begin with the prefix OH and have only a one-letter suffix are exceptions in the renewal process. They are valid for a certain period of time, no more than one licence term (five years).

Rules and principles concerning reserving call signs

• Three-letter suffixes that are in use and that are attached to the OH prefix are given to other radio amateurs only in special cases.
• Suffixes that are one to three letters long, begin with the letter A and are attached to the OH prefix are reserved for club stations.
• Three-letter suffixes beginning with the letter R are reserved for automatic message-switching stations and repeater stations.
• The following suffixes are reserved for radio amateur beacons maintained by amateur radio clubs: VHF, VHH, UHF, UHH, SHF, SHH, SIX and TEN.
• The SAT suffix is reserved for special licences for satellite service.
• Suffixes beginning with RT are reserved for amateur radio television repeater stations.
• FICORA can altogether refuse to assign a call sign that serves a special purpose.
  

Examples of call signs

• A radio amateur uses the call sign OH2NCS. He or she can also purchase call signs OH3NCS, OH4NCS etc. These call signs are not issued to other radio amateurs. All radio amateurs use their own three-letter suffix.
• A radio amateur uses the call sign OH2KT. Any other radio amateur can purchase available call signs OH4KT, OH5KT and OH8KT. The licence can be renewed without having to pay a new call sign fee.
• An amateur radio club uses the call sign OH2AY. Any amateur radio club can purchase available call signs OH3AY, OH4AY and OH5AY. These call signs, however, are not issued to a radio amateur who is regarded as a private person. The licence can be renewed without having to pay a new call sign fee.
• An amateur radio club uses the call sign OH1AAA. Call signs OH2AAA, OH3AAA etc. are not issued to other radio amateurs.
• Call signs OH8RAS, OH1VHH and OH3TEN are not issued to ordinary amateur radio stations. They are reserved for repeaters and amateur radio beacons operating under a special licence.
• Any radio amateur can purchase the call sign OG2JKL if it is available. The licence is issued for a set time period.
• Any radio amateur can purchase the call sign OG5K if it is available. The licence is issued for a set time period.
• Any radio amateur can purchase the call sign OH3K if it is available. The licence is issued for a set time period. The licence can be renewed only if the licence holder is an amateur radio club.
• Possible four-character call signs that can be applied for are for instance OH2003Q or OH5ABCD.
• Call signs OH2SOS and OH3QRT are not issued to anyone. Their suffix might bring about confusion in radio communications.