[CQ-Contest] 2006 SSB WPX

[David Robbins K1TTT]

Even requiring it to be the operator or 'station owner' wouldn't stop
callsign borrowing in the states.  Since the fcc doesn't require a separate
'station license' any more anyone could own any station anywhere at any
time.  There is no requirement for posting of the license, or notification
of station location, or any of that kind of stuff, so callsigns are
completely portable within fcc jurisdiction.  Of course you can also get a
club vanity call very easily also which also wouldn't identify the operator
or location since all they require is a couple signatures and a trustee's
address.


David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:cq-contest-
> bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Stuart Santelmann KC1F
> Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 22:57
> To: k7acz at cox.net; cq-contest
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] 2006 SSB WPX
> 
> > I would like to run a situation past the group:
> >
> > Ham A enters the  WPX SSB.  He has a very common prefix.
> >
> > Ham B is a former no code Tech who has a new  5 WPM Extra license.  As
> > many of these new 5 WPM Extras he has a nice new vanity call with a
> > unique 2 by 1 callsign with a somewhat different than normal prefix.
> > Ham B has no HF gear at all.  He is strictly a 2 mtr op.
> >
> > Ham A, who is a friend of Ham B, thinks it would be neat to borrow Ham
> > B's unique callsign with a strange prefix for the WPX.
> >
> > Ham A invites Ham C to his house to operate as a M/S HP entry making
> > almost 5 million points using Ham B's call sign.
> >
> > Ham B's call is used but Ham B is never present at Ham A's QTH during
> > the contest.
> >
> > Is this legal?  If I have a run of the mill prefix can I find someone
> > who is not interested in entering the WPX and "borrow" his call sign for
> > the week end to put a more rare prefix on the air as to get more replies
> > to my CQ CONTEST calls?
> >
> > BTW, the call used in the WPX was on the list of the cheer leaders or
> > self spotters on the PACKET CLUSTER spot checks emails send out shortly
> > after the contest.
> >
> > I am not naming the people involved on the reflector but please contact
> > me direct if you want the details.
> >
> > 73
> >
> 
> Yes, it's legal to do it.  I know, because I asked the FCC about the
> "borrowing callsigns" practice now commonly in use in WPX, and got email
> responses confirming that it's OK (no, I didn't try to finger anybody).  I
> personally think it's a little silly to be contesting using a callsign
> that
> gives no information whatsoever about the identity of the operator OR the
> location of the operation.  But why stop there !  Let's just make up our
> own
> fake callsign "handles" like CBers !  Even though it's OK with the FCC
> doesn't mean that we can't hold ourselves to a higher standard...
> 
> This would be easy to fix in the WPX rules - "The callsign used must be
> either the callsign of the operator or the station owner"
> 
> Yes, I have a WPX friendly callsign, but it's MY call...
> 
> Stu        KC1F
> 
> 
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