[CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX

Sandy Taylor ve4xt at mts.net
Tue Feb 5 19:09:31 EST 2008 

Since a few people seem to be taking the "why does it matter?" approach, let
me ask this question:

I go to my cottage and sign VE4XT/XM4.

Gee, did I just make up my own prefix, or is it all OK since XM4 is in the
allocation for Canadian callsigns?

Didn't think so. Don't see why Don's situation is any different.

73, Kelly
Ve4xt

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul J. Piercey [mailto:p.piercey at nl.rogers.com] 
Sent: February-05-08 5:21 PM
To: 'Sandy Taylor'; 'Don Cassel'; 'Robert Naumann'; vo1he at rac.ca; 'Joe
Subich, W4TV'; cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX

As long as he just used one prefix, what difference would it make? I think
it would raise a few eyebrows in the WPX log checking room if two dozen
contacts were flagged with the same root call and variety of prefixes.


73 -- Paul VO1HE  

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sandy Taylor [mailto:ve4xt at mts.net] 
> Sent: February 5, 2008 19:30
> To: 'Don Cassel'; 'Robert Naumann'; vo1he at rac.ca; 'Joe 
> Subich, W4TV'; cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX
> 
> That may also be correct, Don, however, the rules also 
> specify operation in accordance with local laws and regulations.
> 
> Since you pointed out the FCC regulation in question as 
> requiring /w4 operation, it would seem clear that taken on 
> the whole, a /nv4 designation would contravene not only FCC 
> rules, but by extension, WPX rules as well.
> 
> I think the rules for the WPX contest are intended to 
> safeguard the integrity of the WPX award system as well. It 
> prevents, I think, a VE from going to the border of, say, 
> Minnesota and Wisconsin and working his buddy as VExXYZ/NQ0, 
> .../NV0, .../K0, .../KT0 etc. until all the possible prefix 
> combinations are worn thin, crossing the border and working 
> him again as VExXYZ/NQ9, .../NV9, .../KT9, .../KQ9, etc. and 
> then having the friend file application for a WPX award...
> 
> 73,Kelly
> Ve4xt
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Don Cassel
> Sent: February-05-08 8:48 AM
> To: 'Robert Naumann'; vo1he at rac.ca; 'Joe Subich, W4TV'; 
> cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX
> 
> That's correct but the rules also say...
> 
> "The portable prefix must be an authorized prefix of the 
> country/call area of operation. "
> 
> So that would permit NV4 to be used as a prefix in W4 land. 
> However, it appears the FCC overrides this rule, at least 
> that is the answer I'm getting from LOTW staff.
> 
> Interesting discussion and thanks for all of the replies.
> 
> 73, Don VE3XD
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Naumann [mailto:w5ov at w5ov.com]
> Sent: February-05-08 8:46 AM
> To: vo1he at rac.ca; 'Joe Subich, W4TV'; 'Don Cassel'; 
> cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: RE: [CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX
> 
> When in doubt, check the rules.
> 
> >From http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm:
> 
> "In cases of portable operation, the portable designator will 
> then become the prefix. <snip> You may not make up your own prefix".
> 
> 73,
> 
> Bob W5OV
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul J. Piercey [mailto:p.piercey at nl.rogers.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 6:15 AM
> To: 'Joe Subich, W4TV'; 'Don Cassel'; cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX
> 
> What is the reason for the inconsistency? As per 97.119(g) 
> below, a foreign operator must sign W4/G3AAA but a Canadian 
> must sign VO1HE/W4. I think all location modifiers should be 
> before the callsign.
> 
> I tend to agree with Joe. The US has an abundance of prefixes 
> that are not designated "special" so you can probably choose 
> any of them for the particular call area (not that call areas 
> mean anything anymore). In Canada, we would need permission 
> to use a different prefix, even as a modifier. For example, 
> under US rules, you could sign VE3XD/VD1 (or perhaps 
> VD1/VE3XD) if you were operating from VO.
> 
> For your purposes, Don, I don't know what the benefit would 
> be to use anything but W4 if you have to sign with a /W4 
> modifier. In this case, wouldn't your prefix still be VE3? 
> The W4 would be a location modifier but, as it doesn't come 
> before your callsign, should it count as a prefix?
> 
> 
> 73 -- Paul VO1HE  
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> > [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Joe Subich, 
> > W4TV
> > Sent: February 4, 2008 23:27
> > To: 'Don Cassel'; cq-contest at contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX
> > 
> > 
> > Don,
> > 
> > I don't believe the ARRL is correct in saying you must identify as 
> > VE3XD/W4.  As I read Part 97.119(g) you may use any legal 
> > identification that indicates your location (e.g., /W4, /AA4, /NZ4, 
> > etc.).  However, the indicator must follow your call based on the 
> > requirements in the treaty that created the reciprocity (TIAS No.
> > 2508).
> > 
> > Here is Part 97.119(g): 
> > 
> >   (g) When the station is transmitting under the authority of 
> >       ?97.107 of this part, an indicator consisting of the 
> >       appropriate letter-numeral designating the station 
> >       location must be included before the call sign that was 
> >       issued to the station by the country granting the license. 
> >       For an amateur service license granted by the Government 
> >       of Canada, however, the indicator must be included after 
> >       the call sign. At least once during each intercommunication, 
> >       the identification announcement must include the geographical 
> >       location as nearly as possible by city and state, 
> commonwealth 
> >       or possession.
> > 
> > Part 109
> > 
> > You are giving your city/state in each QSO aren't you <G>? 
> > 
> > 73,
> > 
> >    ... Joe, W4TV
> >  
> > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> > > [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Don Cassel
> > > Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:34 PM
> > > To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> > > Subject: [CQ-Contest] Prefixes in WPX
> > > 
> > > 
> > >  
> > > Here's an interesting situation. I was planning on using the call 
> > > NV4/VE3XD in the RTTY WPX (and maybe the CW and SSB also) here in 
> > > Florida. In advance of the contest I applied to LOTW to
> > have the call
> > > added to my profile. The ARRL folks responded that the
> > rules required
> > > that I could only use VE3XD/W4 which I was able to confirm
> > on the FCC
> > > web site at
> > > http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=about_4&id=amateur.
> > > 
> > > It seems likely that this rule goes back to when all calls
> > began with
> > > W or sometime soon after the beginning of time. But today 
> it would 
> > > seem that using NV4 or some other variation of A4, K4, N4 
> that is a 
> > > legal U.S. prefix would acceptable as it serves to identify the 
> > > district that the operation is in. Apparently not as this
> > rule has not
> > > been updated to reflect currently available prefixes.
> > > 
> > > A secondary issue was the use of the prefix/suffix. 
> > > Apparently us Canadians
> > > must use a suffix (VE3XD/W4) but other reciprocal 
> countries such as 
> > > Europeans use a prefix like W4/G1ABC. Now I know that it
> > has been the
> > > practice for Canadian amateurs to use a suffix when in 
> the U.S. and 
> > > that is what I generally do. But in a prefix contest it 
> makes more 
> > > sense (to me at
> > > least) to use a prefix W4/VE3XD. As a practical matter I 
> often find 
> > > hams coming back to my call before I've given the /W4 and
> > then I need
> > > to repeat the full call to correct them. This never happens
> > when used
> > > as a prefix.
> > > 
> > > I'd be interested in comments on this and what others have 
> > > experienced.
> > > 
> > > 73, Don VE3XD/W4
> > > 
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > > CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > CQ-Contest at contesting.com
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> > 
> 
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