A remote-controlled or automatically operating amateur radio station is an unmanned amateur radio station that is operated remotely or generates transmissions automatically. These are, for example

• Relay radio stations or
• radio beacons.

You may only operate such an amateur radio station once you have been assigned a corresponding call sign. If you are authorized to participate in the amateur radio service, you can apply to the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) for the allocation of the call sign.

After receiving your application, the BNetzA will carry out a site-specific compatibility test for the frequencies you wish to use. This is to ensure that use is as interference-free as possible. The availability of the frequencies is based on:

• Annex 1 of the Amateur Radio Ordinance,
• international agreements,
• international recommendations concerning the amateur radio service, insofar as they have been implemented in Germany,
• existing and already approved uses in Germany and neighboring countries.

As the compatibility assessment is site-specific, you may only operate the amateur radio station at the site listed in the certificate of assignment.

In addition, you must be able to take your amateur radio station out of operation at any time at the request of the BNetzA.

With the call sign allocation, the following personal data will be published in the call sign list and call sign query on the BNetzA website:

• Your name,
• your amateur radio certificate class in connection with the amateur radio call sign assigned to you and
• the location of your amateur radio station.

If you do not object, your address will also be published. You can object to the publication of your address by

• stating this in the application or
• object to this in writing at a later date.

Callsign allocations for a remote-controlled or automatic amateur radio station are always limited in time, usually to 1, 3 or 5 years. Callsign allocations can be extended before they expire by submitting a new application.

In the application, you can specify callsign requests. However, there is no legal entitlement to certain callsigns.