SPECIAL CONTEST CALLS

Updated 19 May 2025

CLUBS AND INDIVIDUALS may apply to Ofcom via the RSGB for a Special Contest Callsign (SCC). These are shorter than normal UK callsigns, and consist of the letter 'G' or 'M', a regional locator (if operating outside England), a chosen digit and a chosen suffix letter, eg G0A, M9B, GM8C, MW7D etc. The holder of any UK Full licence may apply for a SCC. These callsigns may only be used during bona fide amateur radio contests within the UK&CD

A NOTICE of VARIATION (NoV) is issued, and is associated with a normal Full licence, specifying the SCC and the conditions under which it may be used. All NoVs expire at the end of the same five year period and are renewable. All NoVs issued since 1st January 2019 will expire at the end of 2024. Callsigns that are not renewed are "withdrawn" for two years and then a new SCC applicant may take over the call. 

  https://rsgb.org/scc

Completed forms should be emailed to scc@rsgb.org.uk

The QUALIFICATION CONTESTS and permitted modes (where not explicit in the contest name) are:

• ARRL DX (CW, SSB)
• ARRL 1.8MHz (CW)
• ARRL 28MHz (CW, SSB)
• ARRL RTTY Roundup
• CQ WPX (CW, RTTY, SSB)
• CQ World Wide (CW, RTTY, SSB)
• CQ World Wide 160 (CW, SSB)
• WW-DIGI
  
• IARU Championship (CW, SSB, mixed)
• RSGB IOTA (CW, SSB, mixed)
• WAE DX (CW, RTTY, SSB)
• BARTG HF RTTY
• BARTG Sprint (RTTY)
• BARTG Sprint75 (RTTY)
• BARTG Sprint PSK63
• UK/EI CW DX Contest
• UK/EI SSB DX Contest
  
• Russian DX (CW, SSB, mixed)
• RSGB Commonwealth Contest (CW)
• RSGB DX (CW, SSB, mixed)
• RSGB 1st 1.8MHz (CW)
• RSGB 2nd 1.8MHz (CW)
• RSGB 50MHz Trophy (Multi-mode)
• RSGB 144MHz Trophy (Multi-mode)
• RSGB October 432MHz - 248GHz (Multi-mode)
• RSGB March 144 / 432MHz Contest (Multi-mode)
• RSGB May 432MHz - 248GHz Contest (Multi-mode)
• RSGB 144MHz Marconi CW Contest

The RSGB CONTESTS in which an SCC may be used are:

• All HF contests (Note: Only the Commonwealth Contest, IOTA Contest, RSGB DX Contest and the 1st and 2nd 1.8MHz Contests are qualification contests)
• March 144 and 432 MHz Contest (March) #
• May 432 MHz to 248 GHz Contest (May) #
• 144 MHz Contest (May)
• 50 MHz Contest (June) #
• 70 MHz Contest (July)
  
• 144 MHz Contest (September) #
• 432 MHz to 248 GHz Contest (October) #
• 144MHz Marconi CW Contest (November) #
  

# Qualification contest

Please consult the published rules of non-RSGB contests to determine if the use of SCCs is permitted.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

They have been available to clubs on simple application since about 1995. Full licensees (individuals) have been eligible from 2010, as long as they met certain conditions relating to contest experience. These conditions now also apply to clubs.

Because of their shorter length, there is a limited number of SCC possibilities (520). It was thought reasonable that those applying should “earn” the right by having previously demonstrated a commitment to contesting at HF or VHF, and by achieving some sort of success.

They are based on achieving a certain number of QSOs compared with the leading station in the UK&CD (i.e. G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU and GW)  in terms of QSO numbers in the section of the contest being entered.

Yes, usually because of a misunderstanding of the requirements. For instance, for applications on behalf of an individual, operation must be single operator: where this distinction is not made in the contest rules (as at VHF, or where “assisted” is classed as multi-op), the appropriate status must be obvious or declared. In order to check properly, published results must be available on the internet when the application is submitted. In some cases, applications are made for callsigns that have already been issued.

They all expire on the same date irrespective of when they were issued. All SCC issued after 1st January 2019 will expire on 31st December 2024 unless they are renewed during 2024.

TABLE OF SPECIAL CONTEST CALLSIGNS CURRENTLY ALLOCATED