[UK-CONTEST] Short Calls

[G3SJJ]

Tom's recall of the situation is fairly accurate as also are Peter's G 
4MJS. It goes back to the time when I was chair of HFCC and had to be 
involved in the negotiations. RA (now OFCOM) insisted on a list of 
contests to be included, they had to be international events and not 
domestic contests. We added some others and VHF/UHF later. It was all 
quite heavy and serious at the time. RSGB HFCC had to put their 
suggestions to RSGB LAC (Licencing Advisory Committee) who would then 
request a formal meeting with OFCOM. There was often a 6 month gap 
between meetings and you couldn't guarantee this would be on the agenda. 
Chris GM3WOJ was also very instrumental in lobbying me!! (Good old days, 
Chris!) At least things are much, much less bureaucratic these days.

Initially it was based on the only other country using them, ON, who had 
to change the number each year. We eventually got OFCOM to agree to let 
us retain the number. If I remember correctly the very first list was 
only 26 different calls - G6A to G6Z.

Being a short call, RA agreed that /P wouldn't be necessary if they were 
notified of the location. Being British some groups who forgot to do 
this then added /P negating the idea of the short call, as Tom rightly 
says. Peter also intimates that the system is fairly relaxed, indeed, I 
have only once in 10 years notified the intention to use GU8D and never 
G8D. (QSO total must be in excess of 40,000 now!!!)  Colin's G3PSM 
comments update this. Thanks Colin.

I also recall that RA withdrew the issue of Special Event Callsigns like 
GB5WW for use in major contests because of Contest Callsigns.

On the subject of GX etc, I am fairly certain, but not completely, that 
using them in domestic contests, including SSB FD is still not allowed, 
despite the apearance of one in SSB FD last weekend.

As we learnt from Colin G3PSM a few months ago, the ONs have been 
allowed 1x1s as vanity calls, and I note that Germans were using 2x1s in 
SSB FD, so I think there is now scope for some re-negotiation, maybe to 
include Vanity Calls and realistic power levels.

Chris G3SJJ


Tom Wylie wrote:
> This question comes up from time to time.    Away back in the 1980s, I 
> badgered the then Radio Communications Agency and the RSGB for short 
> calls for Contests but at that time seemed to hit my head off a brick wall.
>
> The current situation is that Short Contest Calls are given to Clubs and 
> not to individuals.   It is a licence requisite that in case of 
> emergency or interference, that OFCOM or whoever is in charge can 
> contact the station, therefore we are required
> to give OFCOM details of where we are operating from, not a major 
> problem, I used to do it by FAX.
>
> It is the RSGB policy that short or special calls may not be used in 
> RSGB Contests to avoid any one club having an advantage
> over another by virtue of its call.   You will note that GB etc calls 
> are not allowed in RSGB Contests.
>
> It is also the case that other "special" calls should not be used in 
> Contests either by the interpretation of the rules.
> Special calls were allowed so that clubs could pass ad hoc greetings 
> messages without the formality of obtaining a GB call
> for a special event.    GX and GS etc calls should only be used when the 
> club is passing greetings messages and should
> not normally be used for general work, expeditions or Contests.
>
> Short calls can be used in WW Contests and I use one regularly in 
> CQWWSSB,  CQWWCW and CQWWRTTY.
>
> Whilst we may not like all the rules, we have two choices -
>
> Obey the rules and dont moan or
>
> Join the HFCC and try to have them changed.
>
> But, remember, some of the rules are made by OFCOM and not the RSGB who 
> may have little or no say.
>
> To send GM4A/P is crazy as it has the same number of characters as 
> GM4FDM - which defeats the reson for having a short call in the first 
> instance.
>
> By all means, loby the RSGB  HFCC to increase the number of Contests 
> where short calls can be used, but I would
> disagree with allowing them in RSGB Contests for the reasons stated.
>
> Tom
> GM4FDM
>
>
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