<drum roll> My new callsign is…….MIØJVI </drum roll> 
It appeared pretty quickly on the Ofcom Online Licensing Centre, given that the form was only posted late on Monday evening past 
Now for the EI one to arrive, when I finally get around to sending it to ComReg 
Well, this time yesterday I was waiting on the train to Dublin from Belfast Central. After a 2hr journey, I was standing on Dublin’s Amiens Street bound for Lower Abbey Street, the site of the ComReg Offices which took a moment or ten to find!
1350GMT arrived and I was shown into the Room where I would be doing the exam by the 2 invigilators from the IRTS, EI7CD and EI4GK. After the rules were read out and formalities dealt with we started the paper at 1400GMT – 3 sections (A- Radio Theory, B- National and International Regulations and C- Safety and EMC), 60 questions and pass of 60% in each section to pass overall.
Ninety minutes later, having finished and read through the paper a few times, I submitted it and left along with a few of the other chaps doing it, heading back to Connolly Station, and arriving back in Belfast shortly after 1900GMT where I got the Derry train back to Ballymoney.
Upon reflection, the whole experience was a good one- Dublin has been the farthest I’ve travelled on my own and the experience of a proper Radio Licence examination was good as before now I’ve only ever sat them in radio clubs’ meeting places and not at a Government Agency’s HQ before.
Let’s just hope I get good news in the next 2 weeks………
UPDATE: Today, 14/October/2008 I have found out that I passed! So watch this space for the new callsigns…
Several hundred pounds, 3 driving tests, 2 theory tests, and an uncountable number of driving lessons later, I am now pleased to say that I passed my driving test on Friday past (7/11/2008)! Don’t worry – I’ll give you plenty of warning if I venture onto the roads in NI!