Hi all,
May I respectfully suggest checking the archives on this one?
Zack is right: even as quoted by Nate, the rule doesn't even specify amateur
licence.
However, if you check the archives, the ruling from the ARRL has been
consistent: as long as your exchange remains stable throughout the contest
period, it doesn't matter if you use the first year YOU were licensed, the
first year your host was licensed or the year you lost your virginity.
With callsign lapses, hiatuses from the hobby, moving and any number of
reasons, the ARRL simply has no way of knowing when each of the 1500 or so
ops every year were first licensed, nor do they have any incentive or reason
to audit every 'check' for accuracy (other than that received exchanges
match sent exchanges).
Use what makes sense for you. When I have guest opped and used the host's
call, I've used the check he's used in the past. (Cuts down on fill requests
from stations using a database.) I use my own check at home. (Again, cuts
down on fill requests.)
The ARRL has even gone so far as to say if you wish to pick two random
numbers (does anyone really think that EVERYONE sending the cute and very
easily read '73' was actually licensed in 1973?), go right ahead.
This really is another one of those topics that comes up EVERY SINGLE YEAR,
isn't it?
73, kelly
ve4xt
On 11/9/10 4:57 AM, "Nate Bargmann" <n0nb@n0nb.us> wrote:
> * On 2010 08 Nov 20:37 -0600, Zack Widup wrote:
>> The rules don't specify for the check the year you were first licensed as a
>> WHAT. I suppose I could legally use the year I was first licensed as a
>> Novice, as a General, as an Extra, or maybe even the year I was first
>> licensed as W9SZ. They are all different.
>
> As I read the rule:
>
> 4.4.1. The last 2 digits of the year of first license for either the
> operator or the station.
>
> it seems rather clear to me that if I am operating my own station then
> it is the year I was first licensed and that is what I've used each time
> I've operated solo or used my call in a multi effort.
>
> If I were operating the club station, that could get a bit more sticky,
> do I choose the year our club first obtained a club license (somewhat
> recently) or the year the SK's call we now hold was first licensed (mid
> 1920's)? I know which I would choose.
>
>> But I've been sticking with the same year for a long time. It's engrained
>> into me so I just automatically send it now.
>
> I think it's most important that it not change throughout the period of
> SS.
>
> 73, de Nate >>
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