[UK-CONTEST] Multi station call signs

[alanp@f2s.com]

Steve, I think your club mates are confusing the licensing regulations with the
rules of particular contests. I have just scanned through BR68 (yes I know I
need to get a life) and there doesn't appear to be any reference within that
document to the use of multiple simultaneous signals being transmitted under a
single callsign. Think about how many people running APRS or packet, eg. to the
DX Cluster on 2m whilst operating on HF, would be breaching their licence
conditions if that were a requirement. The rule on number of simultaneous
transmitted signals on different frequencies is one that can be found in
specific contest rules, so whether the use of a single call sign or many
different call signs transmitting simultaneously is against the "law" depends
on the contest. In years gone by I believe it was a requirement in the rules
for VHF NFD but that does not appear to be a requirement in the current rules.
For the reasons you give, it is quite sensible to use a single call for all the
bands being run in a contest - if the contest rules do not forbid it.

Alan M0DAL

Hi All,

The Clifton ARS are having a "discussion" about the use of call signs
during multi multi contests and I wondered if any of you could shed any
light on this for us.

I see that several groups use a single call on all bands concurrently
during a contest. This to me makes sense on several fronts. It makes
passing stations between bands much easier, alignment of beams on weak
signals is simplified, removes the "Which call am I using now?"
situation and gives you an identity as a group. My club mates argue that
this is contrary to the terms of our licences; "You are only allowed to
transmit on one band at a time".  I did look for a copy of BR68 at home,
but got bored sifting through the filing cabinet - heaven knows how long
I would have stayed awake reading the damn thing.

Could anyone shed any light on this for me? I know that members of
GM3HAM, MM0CPS, G0VHF et al. who do the "multi single call" loiter here
(I am not picking on you!) so comments would be welcome.

73
Steve
M0BPQ