Licensing

The Amateur Radio Service is one of many services which use the radio frequency spectrum. In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland the civilian radio frequency spectrum is managed by Ofcom (Office of Communications), which is a government agency. Amateur radio licences are issued by Ofcom. Amateur radio is a skilled technical hobby and the required skills are tested by examination before a licence is granted. The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is the examining body appointed by Ofcom.