The news went around the world that the Kosovo parliament unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. It refuses to acknowledge this statement. In connection with this, there was an immediate statement from RATEL, the Serbian Telecommunications Authority. The area of Kosovo is assigned the prefix YU8 and operation is possible only on the basis of a permit issued by RATEL. CEPT is not recognized.
RATEL has issued approximately one hundred radio amateur licenses that are valid. However, several other radio amateurs are active from the area, working on the basis of UNMIK licenses (G3TXF, N7NG, OH2BH, OH2PM, ON8NC and W3U, while preparing to operate under the brand YU8/OH2R. SRS (Savez radioamatera Srbije) stated that the team has no hope of the first operation from Kosovo without a valid license.