Alan Leith wrote:
> The use of the prefix/call follows international rules that I think were
> introduced in the late 70s (I'm probably wrong) and I must say that I was
> quite indignant for many years after that. Now, I'm used to it and it
> doesn't bother me. What does bother me, on the other hand, is US and
> Canadian hams not knowing the regulations.
I might suggest the "new" method (country prefix first, then home callsign,
i.e. DL/W9WI) makes more sense.
The purpose of the callsign prefix is to identify what country the transmitting
station is located in; the remainder of the callsign is to identify a
specific station in that country.
If I'm a German citizen in Berlin, I'm assigned a DL callsign - for example,
DL1ABC. "DL" indicates I'm located in Germany; "1ABC" identifies me, as
opposed to the thousands of other radio amateurs in Germany.
If I, as a USA citizen, visit Berlin, my station is still located in Germany.
DL indicates that; "/W9WI" identifies me, as opposed to other amateur
stations located in Germany.
Suppose you're operating the CQ WW from Chicago. Two stations call: "DL/W9WI"
and "WB9NME/EA4". Once you hear "DL/", are you going to be paying any
attention to the WB9?
-----------------------------
From what I understand, the "W9WI/VE1" alignment is spelled out, specifically,
in the USA<=>Canada reciprocity treaty. We probably should get that
treaty amended someday...
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View, TN EM66
with eleven VE/ QSOs under his belt from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|