[CQ-Contest] 2x1 calls for contesters in Canada

[Dave VO1AU]

In early October 2005, Industry Canada (IC), Canada's radio 
regulatory authority, modified its Amateur Radio call sign 
policy (RIC-9) to permit Canadian Amateurs to apply for and 
use special call signs (ie. CG3A, VX6X, etc) in certain 
contests.  You can read this new policy on
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf05478e.html .

This policy explicitly asks the Radio Amateurs of Canada 
(RAC) for advice on which contests should be considered 
eligible for these call signs.  On 18 October 2005, the 
Board of Directors of RAC unanimously passed a motion 
recommending the following contests to IC:
a) ARRL DX CW
b) ARRL DX CW
c) CQ WPX SSB
d) CQ WPX CW
e) RAC Canada Day Contest
f) IARU HF Championship
g) CQ WW SSB
h) CQ WW CW
i) RAC Canada Winter Contest

These contests were chosen following a rushed consultation 
with Canadian contesters over the last week.

Under these rules, IC will recognise three "phases" in the 
contest calendar.  The first phase will include a, b and c 
above.  The second phase will include d, e and f.  The third 
phase will include g, h and i.  If you want a special call 
sign for one, two or three contests in a particular phase, 
you make one application.  If you want use a special call 
signs in contests in two different phases, you make two 
separate applications.  If you want to use a special call 
sign in contests in three different phases, make three 
separate applications.  There is a C$60 fee for each 
application.

This policy is the product of long, delicate negotiations 
with IC.  It is a long way from ideal, but it's a big 
advance on what went before.  I hope we can make this work, 
and build on it for the future.

Further information, including a template for your 
application, will be available on the RAC web site 
(www.rac.ca)  in the next few days.

73,

Dave VO1AU