At the peak of solar cycle 18, permits had been issued to a number of leading UK amateurs in early November 1947 allowing operation two-way on 6 metres and many successful contacts had taken place with other continents, including that of G6DH who had made the first two-way trans-Atlantic contact with W1HDQ (5th. November 1947). These 'experimental' permits were due to expire on 1st. January 1948 but were extended until 30th. April 1948.

In 1957 similar permits had been issued for cycle 19 for the International Geophysical Year (IGY), resulting in other notable contacts.

A licence was obtained for a beacon on the north west coast of Anglesey beaming out across the Atlantic, and this went on air as GB3SIX in 1980

Around the beginning of 1983 some 40 permits for two-way communication were issued -two of those to GI3RXV and GI3ZSC - for the 6-metre band and this was later increased to 100.

If you want to know more about the early history of 'Six' in the United Kingdom generally then have a look at http://www.uksmg.org/sixhistory.htm

From 4 - 2 -70 by Ken Willis, G8VR, in RADio COMmunication, November 1982, p.967:

"50MHz

As announced in the GB2RS News Bulletin for 5 September, a limited number of permits are to be issued to Class A licensees for operation on 50MHz for use outside television hours. The Home Office, in making this announcement, has requested that the RSGB should provide a list of amateurs to be granted such permits, and the unenviable task has fallen to the vhf manager, G3WSN. It is intended that a questionnaire be issued to all who notify G3WSN of their wish to operate on this band ... . Since any selection process is bound to result in dissent, those who apply but are unsuccessful might perhaps comfort themselves in the thought that this initial issue of permits should open the door to a more general use of the band in the future if the tests show that no major problem arise when amateurs use these frequencies."

From 4 - 2 -70 by Ken Willis, G8VR, in RADio COMmunication, January 1983, p.47:

(UK 50MHz beacons operative on 1 December 1982)

(Operates 0100-0800gmt only at present)

From 4 - 2 -70 by Ken Willis, G8VR, in RADio COMmunication, February 1983, pps 140/1:

"The 50MHz beacon at Angelsey, GB3SIX, which had been operating outside television hours, was switched to 24h operation on 28 December (1982)."

"Progress has been made with the proposed experimental 50MHz permits to be issued to a limited number of UK amateurs for operation outside tv hours. Following the submission of the completed questionnaires by a large number of interested amateurs, the Society met representatives of the Home Office on 21 December when each application was considered on its merits. A list was finally drawn up comprising 18 G, 5 GW, 10 GM, three from the Channel Islands, three GI amateurs, plus one on the Isle of Wight. Emphasis was placed on geographical location to provide the best possible range of contacts for those participating in the experiment. Attention was also paid to the various modes, including meteor scatter.

After approval of the list by the BBC, it was the intention of the Home Office to issue letters of intent rather than separate licences to each of the stations selected, and it was planned that these would go out during the first week of January 1983."

From QTC Amateur Radio News, in RADio COMmunication, March 1983, p. 215:

Thirty-nine special research licences have been issued to the following:

The following amendment/correction was received on 11th August 2009 from John, G4BAO and I have included it here in the hope that others who may be able to add to the record will do so. It just underlines the fact that the more we know, the more we realise how little we do know. Here's hoping we never give up the quest for greater knowledge and understanding.

Hello,
I've just been sent a link to your site re the 1983 six metre permits by Dave Butler G4ASR. I thought for "historical accuracy", I'd correct you on the list of who we were. You list 39 callsigns then state,

"Another licence was issued, but the licensee subsequently returned it, another was issued to bring the total up to 40"
Actually RadCom must have got it wrong, as I was one of the original 40 (see attached), so one of the 39 on your list would have been the one who returned it.



I'm sorry I couldn't tell you which one!


And I've also noticed you list GW3MHD as a later addition, it was GW3MHW

73
John
G4BAO
QRV 23,9,3 and 1.2cm
Beacon keeper GB3CAM/24GHz
http://www.g4bao.com

In 1986 50MHz became available to Class A licence holders in the UK and in 1987 50MHz (and 70MHz) were made available to Class B licence holders as well. Now there are over sixty countries in Europe licensed for 6m!

In 1994 the special power and aerial restrictions on 50MHz were lifted.

In Northern Ireland we had one listed holder of DXCC on Six. Alan GI0OTC (formerly GI8YDZ) holds 50MHz-DXCC #70 and also 50MHz-WAC with 168 countries worked and, at least, 997 grid squares at the last count. There are others in GI who have worked in excess of 100 countries but now there are two others, Gordon GI6ATZ (with 149 countries to date), and Gerry GI4OWA, who have also successfully claimed one of the rarer DXCC awards.

Lebanon on 6m

Issue 37 Six News, April 1993

Samir, OD5SK, reports.