• FAQ

    A form is available. The operator’s certificate is valid for 5 years and is charged: €29,96 in 2023. 

    • If you have passed an exam and are asking you first operator’s certificate (or if you have passed a superior exam and enter a higher class), it will be included in the examination price.
    • If you were a radio amateur in the past and you wish to resume the hobby, please send us your certificate of achievement. A certificate will be issued at the above-mentioned price.
    • If you hold a certificate issued by another CEPT country and now live in Belgium, you can, based on that certificate, get a Belgian operator’s certificate at the above-mentioned price.
    • If you hold a certificate issued by a non-CEPT country and now live in Belgium, you must provide BIPT, in addition to the copy of the certificate of achievement, with the detailed subject matter of the examination you took in that country. This matter has to be provided in French, Dutch or English through either an official translation (sworn translator) or an official website. BIPT will, according to this information, determine the level of the licence.

  • FAQ

    Radio amateurs can choose their call signs according to the following rules:

    • The call sign has to be available.
    • Regarding the class A operator’s certificate, you can choose a prefix starting with ON1, ON4, ON5, ON6, ON7, ON8 and ON9.
      For the class B operator’s certificate, the prefix will be ON2.
      For the class C operator’s certificate, the prefix will be ON3.
    • The choice of the call sign is limited to the last 2 or 3 letters.
    • A radio amateur can apply for as many call signs as he/she desires, within his/her class. Each additional call sign entails an application fee (€59,92) as well as a yearly fee (€59,92).
    • Call signs can not be reserved and are granted in order of request.
    • If a radio amateur stops his/her activities, his/her call sign (primary only) can not be granted to a third party for 5 years.

  • FAQ

    An application form is available. The aeronautical certificate is offered with charge: €7,49 to pay on the account of BIPT: IBAN BE68 6791 7078 1634 (BIC : PCHQBEBB).

    Do not forget to sign your form!

    You must enclose:

    • the original copy of the certificate of achievement of the exam, issued by the FPS Mobility and Transport or by the competence centre of the aviation unit;
    • the copy of the proof of the payment of €7,49;
    • a recent passport photograph;
    • a copy of both sides of the identity card.

    Please note that the ATCO (Air Traffic Control) licence does not entitle to the operator’s certificate – it is essential that you provide the certificate of achievement of the FPS examination. If you do not have that certificate anymore, you can ask an equivalent document to the FPS. A copy of your PPL, ATPL... does not entitle to the operator’s licence. The ELP is not sufficient either.

  • FAQ

    If these tips are not helpful you can install a technical solution to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal.

    The operators also offer such solutions (sometimes for free): therefore you can ask your operator for information about this.

    There are various technical options:

    Replace the modem

    You may still have an older modem. Consult with your operator if it would be useful to have it replaced by a more recent model.

    Newer types also support Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), for instance. This wireless technology uses multiple transmitters and receivers to transfer more data simultaneously. This technology will not only considerably increase the speed, but also benefit the range and robustness of the connection in multipath surroundings. In radio communications a multipath refers to the phenomenon resulting in radio signals reaching the antenna through two or more paths. A multipath can be caused by reflection of the signal through reflective surfaces (metal partitions, buildings, water surfaces, ...).  

    Install a Wi-Fi repeater

    This device retransmits the Wi-Fi signal to extend the range.

    The installation is very simple: all you have to do is plug in the repeater at a location where the modem’s Wi-Fi signal is still strong enough to be retransmitted. However, if the retransmitted signal is of inferior quality (too much interference or too weak for instance) at the location of the repeater, using a repeater will not produce a good result either. If the repeater does not deliver the desired result, place it a little closer to the modem. 
    In older repeater models the available speed is halved for devices connected to the repeater. 

    Set up a Wi-Fi mesh network

    In case of mesh systems a single main router is connected to your modem. This main router forwards the signal to the accompanying modules or “satellites” (minimum of 2). The Wi-Fi signal is communicated among all those modules to form a single Wi-Fi network. 

    This solution is ideal for locations where there is no Ethernet cable and the Wi-Fi signal is not strong enough. You only need a cable that connects your modem to the main satellite. Next you place the other modules where you want a better range and the system will configure itself.

    Install an extra access point

    A “Wi-Fi hotspot” or access point is an additional wireless access point to connect equipment to the Wi-Fi, at a location where your modem’s Wi-Fi coverage is insufficient. The access point is connected to the modem by means of a network cable or through a PLC adapter (“powerline”, “powerline homeplugs”). This results in optimum speed and a stable signal.

    In the case of PLC adapters  there are models with a built-in Wi-Fi access point.  At least 2 are needed: one to plug in near your modem and a second one to plug in where you want to extend the range of the Wi-Fi signal. Combined they ensure that the Internet signal is sent from A to B. Unfortunately it may happen that the signal does not optimally reach the second powerline adapter, thus lowering the speed. There is no guarantee that you will always reach the highest speed.

    Caution: Other ways, such as amplifying the Wi-Fi signal through either an external repeater or by replacing the router’s antenna, are prohibited.

  • FAQ

    A form is available; please follow the instructions correctly, particularly the requests for documents that are necessary to process your application.

    The authorisation is free.

    Complete applications are processed in the chronological order of their arrival.

    Contacting us is unnecessary; if your file is incomplete, we will ask you to provide us with the missing elements. As soon as you file is processed, you will receive the authorisation via ordinary mail.

    Ground stations also need to be covered by an authorisation

  • FAQ

    You can use the form.  Each application for a station authorisation (including a fixed, a mobile and a portable station) entails an application fee of €59,92 except for a station without an operator, for which it amounts to €119,85. A yearly fee of €59,92 is also charged for each type of station.  You can also apply for an additional station authorisation at the same price.

    Except for the automatic packet reporting system (APRS), the application can not relate to a radio amateur station without an operator which is a fixed station ensuring the retransmission of a received signal or transmitting a continuous signal, without the physical presence of a user.

  • FAQ

    For a 5th category station, the operator uses the call sign related to his/her operator’s certificate or the authorisation of the operated station.

    The call sign is transmitted following a method which is adapted to the type of emission. If this is not possible, the call sign is transmitted vocally or in telegraphy. In telephony mode, the call sign is pronounced clearly and, if necessary, spelled using the international alphabet. In telegraphy mode, the call sign is communicated in Morse code at the transmission speed used during the contact.

    The call sign is transmitted at least once at the beginning and the end of each emission. When the emission is made of several short messages, the series of emissions is considered as one emission. In the context of an emission or a series of emissions, the call sign is repeated at least every five minutes.

  • FAQ

    You must register via a GMDSS examination centre. 

    The practical exam takes place on the equipment used by the candidate during his or her training. 

    There is a €82,40 registration fee, which is non-refundable. 

    In case of an annulment more than one week before the exam or upon presentation of a medical certificate, the registration fee can be moved to another date. 

    To pass, one must obtain 50% of the points for each subject and 60% in total. No exoneration will be granted for the practical part. 

    In case of a re-examination, an exemption is only granted for the theoretical parts for which the candidate obtained 70% or more and if the candidate does so within one year after the original examination. 

    In the event of a re-examination, the practical part must always be redone.
     

  • FAQ

    Send an e-mail to examen@ibpt.be with your last name, first name, postal details (address), your phone number and a copy of both sides of your ID card.

    If you wish to take a level C exam, please enclose the certificate of achievement of a practical test organised by a recognised association.

    Our department will contact you to propose examination dates.

    Please note that you must be at least 12 years old to take an exam.

  • FAQ

    Send an e-mail to examen@bipt.be with your last name, first name, postal details (address), your phone number, a copy of both sides of your ID card and a passport-sized photograph (with a white background). There is a €37,45 registration fee, which is non-refundable.

    In case of an annulment more than one week before the exam or upon presentation of a medical certificate, the registration fee can be moved to another date.

    For the SRC exam, you must also enclose an SRC training certificate issued by an approved training centre. Attention, it is only valid for one year. After that, the certificate will not be accepted.

    Our department will contact you to propose examination dates. Once your application is registered, you will receive a conformation e-mail mentioning the payment information as well as other information.

    Registration is possible up to two weeks before the examination date, as long as places are available.

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