I bounce between the UK and Germany a fair bit, and despite spending the majority of my time in Germany, I decided that I should get my radio license in the UK. The main reason for that was because I don’t think that my German is good enough to attempt to do an exam in German! As the UK foundation license is not recognised internationally, this meant that I could only transmit when I was in the UK. At first this did not seem so bad, I planned to get my full UK license by the end of the year, and, as the full license is a signatory to CEPT, applying for a German license shouldn’t be a problem.
However, my plan to get the full UK license “by the end of the year” suddenly seemed very, very far away- a whole 9 months, and missing out on a whole summer of Germany- based POTA and SOTA activations! Travelling to the UK and trying to squeeze in as much radio time, alongside other obligations, didn’t seem as satisfying anymore. Therefore, I decided that it didn’t hurt to at least ask the German government agency covering radio licensing (Bundesnetzagentur, or BNetzA for short) whether it was at all possible for them to accept my UK foundation license. Germany has the “Klasse-N” license, which is similar to the UK foundation license, but more restrictive in band use. Klasse N license holders can access 70cm, 2m and 10m, which would mean I could continue to use DMR, as well as being able to use local repeaters, and have some HF fun.
I sent an email to amateurfunk@bnetza.de asking whether they could consider my license, and they sent back an application form to fill in, and a list of information that they would need from me, before they could make their decision. They needed:
– The application form, filled in and returned
– A copy of your valid ID card (both sides) or passport
– A copy of registration certificate (only required if you are not a German citizen)
– Copy of foreign amateur radio examination certificate or amateur radio license – as well as a certified translation if the document is not issued in English, French, or German and a detailed description of the examination content
– A copy of your valid residence permit (not required for EU citizens/Swiss citizens)
I collected together the necessary paperwork. In order to satisfy the “detailed description of the examination content” requirement, I linked the UK foundation syllabus document that is on the RSGB website: https://rsgb.services/public/exams/specifications/200731_Syllabus_Foundation_only.pdf. I sent the email on the 7th March, and just three days later, I received a reply, saying that they had received my documents, and would let me know of their decision.
On Friday 14th March, I received a letter in the post – it was confirmation from the BNetzA that they had indeed decided to accept my UK foundation license and grant me an N class license! I am so impressed at the speed with which the BNetzA responded. I had sent my initial request on the 2nd March, and less than two weeks later I had a new German callsign – DN9ISY.
