Each individual license to operate an amateur station is time-limited. You can find information on how long your document is valid directly in the text of your current license (usually in the field License validity until:). Tracking this date is entirely within the operator's competence, so we recommend checking it well in advance.
In the article you will read
1. Legislative deadlines: When to submit the application?
The extension process is governed by strict rules according to § 32 paragraph 11 of the Electronic Communications Act. For successful processing without complications, you must adhere to the following 'time window':
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Earliest: 6 months before expiration.
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Latest: 6 weeks before expiration.
[!Important] Why is the 6-week deadline important? If you submit the application later than 6 weeks before the expiration date, the office may not be able to process it as an extension. In that case, you would have to apply for a completely new license, which may be more administratively challenging and carries the risk of losing your original call sign.
2. Practical procedure and forms
The application cannot be written as a free letter; it must be submitted on official form of the Regulatory Office (RÚ).
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Where to find the form: Visit the website of the Regulatory Office, section Frequencies -> Amateur radio operators -> Applications for amateur radio operators.
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License identification: In the header of the application, it is crucial to state the number of the original decisionThis information can be found in the upper corner of your current permit (e.g., in the form of TÚ SR – 12345/2016).
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Method of submission:
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By mail: Send the completed and signed form to the address of the Regulatory Authority in Bratislava.
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Electronically: If you have an ID card with a chip (eID), you can submit the application through the portal slovensko.sk to the electronic mailbox of the office. This method is often associated with a discount on the administrative fee.
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3. Fees and payments for frequencies
The renewal process involves two types of payments that should not be confused:
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Administrative fee: It is paid for the issuance of a new document (issuance of a decision). Information on the amount and method of payment (e-colok) can be found in the application instructions.
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Payment for the use of frequencies: This is the 'rent' for the right to broadcast. According to current rules, this payment is usually set for a period of 10 years.
Payment notice: The Regulatory Authority will send you a new permit along with a request for payment for the use of frequencies. It is essential to pay this amount within the specified deadline (usually within 15 days). If not paid, the permit may lose validity and you will not be authorized to broadcast.
What to do if the validity has already expired?
If you have missed all deadlines and the validity of your permit has already expired, you must not continue to broadcast.In that case, you must apply for the issuance of a new individual permit.. Although the exams usually do not need to be repeated (if you hold a certificate of special professional competence), the process is administratively identical to applying for a first permit.