What are the Regulations for amateur radio communication in Ukraine?

The Regulations for amateur radio communication in Ukraine rest on several key laws and legal acts that set out how the radio frequency spectrum may be used and govern the activity of radio amateurs.

The main laws governing this area:

• The Law of Ukraine "On Electronic Communications": this law covers matters relating to the provision of electronic communication services, in particular the use of the radio frequency spectrum for personal and professional purposes, including amateur radio.
• The Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU): as an ITU member, Ukraine aligns its national rules on the use of the radio frequency spectrum with international standards. The ITU Radio Regulations set out requirements for the amateur services that apply globally.
• Resolutions of the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and Postal Services (NCEC): these set the charges for use of the radio frequency spectrum, the rules for obtaining permits and licences, and other aspects of frequency use by radio amateurs.
• Other legal acts: these may be laws and resolutions governing general radio equipment safety, electromagnetic compatibility and other technical requirements, such as the State sanitary standards for protecting the population from electromagnetic radiation.

The role and functions of the Ukrainian State Centre of Radio Frequencies (UCRF)

The Ukrainian State Centre of Radio Frequencies (UCRF) plays a central role in administering the regulations, performing the following functions:

• Assigning callsigns and operating documents for amateur stations: the UCRF is responsible for assigning callsigns and issuing operating documents for amateur radio stations. Every amateur station, whether individual or club, must have a unique callsign that identifies it during communication. Callsigns are assigned in accordance with international standards and the requirements of the national regulations.

• Assigning special callsigns: besides ordinary callsigns, the UCRF may also assign special callsigns for amateur radio contests, expeditions or other events connected with amateur radio. Special callsigns are normally used on a temporary basis and are intended for particular occasions that require distinct identification. Such callsigns are often shorter and may contain special prefixes indicating the nature of the event or activity. A special callsign is assigned on the basis of an application to the UCRF setting out in detail the reason for using it and the period it will be active.

• Technical supervision and monitoring: the UCRF continuously oversees the use of the radio frequency spectrum, including checks that amateur stations comply with technical standards. One of its key tasks is to detect and eliminate radio interference that may arise from incorrectly operating radio equipment or other sources. The UCRF also continuously monitors the air in order to detect unlicensed operators, illegal transmitters and other offenders who use frequencies without the proper permit or cause interference to legitimate users of the spectrum. Another important function is ensuring the electromagnetic compatibility of radio stations with other communication systems, so as to avoid conflicts between different kinds of radio equipment. This guarantees uninterrupted operation not only of amateur stations but also of the other essential services that use the radio frequency spectrum.

The role of the qualification committee

The qualification and technical committee is the body that plays the key role in establishing the technical and operational competence of radio amateurs. Its main functions are:

• Organising and holding qualification examinations: the committee examines radio amateurs at the various qualification levels (A — the highest level, B — the entry level, C — the novice level). The examinations include both theoretical and practical parts, designed to test knowledge of operating amateur radio stations.
• Issuing certificates: after a candidate passes the examination, the committee issues a certificate on the basis of which the UCRF grants the corresponding operating document or certificate (HAREC, NOVICE). These certificates matter both for national activity and for the international use of amateur stations.
• Checking technical characteristics: the committee checks the technical parameters of the radio equipment that amateurs use. This ensures that the equipment meets technical standards and does not cause interference to other users of the spectrum.
• Involving experienced radio amateurs: the committee may include radio amateurs of higher qualification and experience who have operated amateur stations for at least five years.

The UCRF and the qualification committee therefore work together to ensure the amateur radio community in Ukraine functions properly, overseeing the technical competence of radio amateurs and guaranteeing that the regulations are observed in every respect. Glossary of terms from the Regulations for amateur radio communication in Ukraine:

• Amateur radio station — a station of the amateur or amateur-satellite service, which may be fixed, portable or mobile. It consists of one or more transmitters and receivers, antenna and feeder equipment, and ancillary equipment including software.
• Amateur radio communication — the use by radio amateurs of Ukraine's radio frequency spectrum in the amateur or amateur-satellite radio service without material gain.
• Amateur service — a radio communication service used by radio amateurs for technical investigation and intercommunication for personal purposes without material gain.
• Amateur-satellite service — a radio communication service that uses satellites for technical investigation and communication between radio amateurs.
• Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate (HAREC) — a document confirming a radio amateur's knowledge in accordance with the international CEPT examination standards.
• Harmonised NOVICE examination certificate — confirmation of a beginner radio amateur's basic knowledge to international standards.
• Harmonised amateur radio licence (CEPT) — a document setting out the rules for the use of the radio frequency spectrum by radio amateurs in accordance with CEPT rules.
• Qualification and technical committee — the body that establishes the technical and operational competence of radio amateurs.
• National amateur station operating document — a document setting out the conditions for the use of frequencies for repeaters, beacons and amateur radio direction finding.
• Radio amateur — a natural person who uses the radio frequency spectrum for personal purposes without commercial gain.
• Amateur radio licence or CEPT permit — a document allowing foreign radio amateurs to operate on amateur service frequencies in Ukraine and in CEPT member countries.
• Beacons — automatic stations that transmit signals for studying radio wave propagation conditions or serve as targets for radio direction finding.
• Amateur radio emergency service — a service that helps in emergency situations by providing communication for the rescue services.
• Repeaters — automatic stations that retransmit the signals of other stations in real time.
• Mobile (portable, handheld, vehicle-mounted) amateur stations — stations designed to operate while the operator or vehicle is moving.
• Special callsign — a callsign granted for special events.
• Shortened callsign — a short callsign used in certain cases.
• Callsign — a unique code used to identify a radio station during communication.