News
Site notes and UK hobby-radio writing from Cross Reference UK — gear, listening practice, and what we ship. Longer explainers live in the guides (lawful listening, scanners, amateur VHF/UHF, licence-free, marine and airband). News here is original to this site unless an article says otherwise.
Guides for UK hobby listeners
Original long-form notes on lawful listening, first scanners, amateur VHF/UHF, PMR446, marine VHF and airband — written for this site, not copied from another wiki.
Read more →UK 2m & 70cm Repeater Etiquette: Sound Like You Belong
Listen first, get CTCSS and offset right, keep overs short, and leave gaps for mobiles — the Cross Reference UK house style for UK repeaters.
BrandMeister UK Talkgroups: A Map of 2350, Chats & Good Practice
UK BrandMeister activity centres on talkgroup 2350, with chat groups for longer QSOs. IDs, hotspots, and the licence reminder — without the folklore.
Scanning in the UK: What’s Legal for Hobby Listeners (and What Isn’t)
Receive-only scanners are generally fine — “general reception” and the Wireless Telegraphy Act draw the hard lines. A clear Ofcom-aware guide for Cross Reference UK.
Ofcom’s Amateur Radio Phases 2 & 3: What UK Licensees Need to Know
October 2025 brought Intermediate M8/M9 callsigns, five-year callsign changes, one personal licence path, and freer Special Event Station formats — here’s the practical checklist.
Welcome to the new Cross Reference UK
Cross Reference UK is a UK hobby radio notebook and forum — amateur, licence-free and public markers, with original guides for listeners.