[CQ-Contest] Best callsign letters

[Doug Smith]

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?

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 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.