Amateur radio call signs of Ireland

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Amateur radio or ham radio call signs are unique identifiers for the licensed operators in the Republic of Ireland. Call signs are regulated internationally by the ITU as well as nationally by An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide (The Commission for Communications Regulation, "ComReg"). The latter is responsible for providing policy on the allocation of Ireland's radio spectrum to support efficient, reliable and responsive wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure.^[1]

Call sign blocks for telecommunication

The International Telecommunication Union has assigned Ireland the following call sign blocks for all radio communication, broadcasting or transmission:^[2]

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) manage examinations for amateur radio licenses on behalf of Comreg, the Irish Telecommunications regulator. Membership of the IRTS is not required to sit the exam or hold a license.

While not directly related to call signs, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) further has divided all countries assigned amateur radio prefixes into three regions; Ireland is located in ITU Region 1.

Call sign assignments for amateur radio

The An Coimisiún um Rialáil Cumarsáide (Commission for Communications Regulation) issues call signs in the EI series for amateur use. This allows for about 175,000 potential, 3-character suffixes to be available to licensed Irish amateurs or others under Irish jurisdiction.

The EJ series is assigned for operation in the off-shore islands of Ireland. Operators assigned an EI prefix simply substitute "EJ" prefix (e.g. EI3xxx becomes EJ3xxx) when operating on an off-shore island.

There are six basic types of radio licenses that are sometimes distinguished with call signs:^[3]

Call signs are issued sequentially and specific call signs cannot be requested. Automatic stations (e.g. repeaters) are issued call signs with the separating numeral identifying the band on which it works and the last letter indicating the type of transmission.

Special call signs

Ireland makes liberal use of numerals in the suffix to allow for special event call signs.

EI25SL is an Irish call sign once used by "Welcome Slovenia to EU Special Event". The separating numeral is "2" a "5" is first character of the suffix. Scouting Ireland used special event call signs EI1ØØS and EI1ØØSI during 2007 and 2008 to celebrate 100 years of Scouting internationally and 100 years of Scouting in Ireland. The Limerick Radio Club has operated as EI6ØLRC and EI7ØFOY.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Amateur Radio operators are assigned call signs from and are regulated by Ofcom, the communications regulator of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and falls within GI, MI, 2I, GN, and MN prefixes within UK ranges as assigned by the ITU.

See also

• Amateur radio international operation
• Call signs
• ITU prefix - amateur and experimental stations
• Amateur radio license

External links

• Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)
• Irish call book

References