Successful completion of the exam before the commission is just the first step. To legally operate in the ether under your own callsign, you must go through the administrative process of obtaining a license. Here is a detailed procedure divided into key phases:
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1. Obtaining certification and submitting an application
After successfully passing the exams, you will Regulatory office (Office for Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services) will first deliver Certificate of special professional competence. This certificate is proof of your knowledge and has lifetime validity.
Based on it, you subsequently submit an application for the issuance of the actual license, whose official name is Individual license for the use of frequencies for amateur service. Without this document and the assigned callsign, you may not operate the broadcasting equipment.
2. Forms and submission methods
The application is submitted on a prescribed form that is specific to amateur radio operators. Current forms can be found on the website of the Regulatory Office in the section 'Frequency spectrum' → 'Applications for amateur radio operators.'
Individuals submit applications as individuals.
Legal entities (radio clubs) submit applications for club stations, while they must specify responsible operator, who holds a valid class E license.
3. Choosing a callsign
One of the most important points of the application is the choice of your identification in the ether - callsign (callsign).
In Slovakia, callsigns start with the prefix OM.
It is recommended to specify one preferred brand and 1 to 2 alternative options in case your first choice is already occupied in the office database.
When choosing, consider the class you have obtained (different suffixes are usually assigned for class N than for class E).
4. Administrative fees and payments
The process involves two types of payments that beginners often confuse:
Administrative fee for the issuance of a permit: Paid when submitting the application (usually in the form of an e-stamp or transfer to the office's account).
Payment for the right to use frequencies: This is not a one-time fee, but a regular payment for the use of the radio spectrum. The regulatory office will send you a payment order with precise payment instructions after issuing the permit.
Important notice: You must make this payment within the specified deadline. If the payment does not occur on time, the permit may lose its validity. The standard validity period of the permit and the associated payment is 10 years.
5. Entry in the station log
Once you receive the paper or electronic decision on the issuance of the permit, write down the date of its issuance and the permit number on the first page of your station log. From this moment on, you are officially 'on air' and can start making your first connections.