[UK-CONTEST] Individual Short Contest Callsigns

[Colin]

Okay, let's start from the beginning.....

Two or three years ago there was some discussion on this and other 
reflectors asking why "Vanity" or "personalised callsigns" were not 
available on the UK.   Ofcom in their wisdom decreed that they did not 
have the resources available within the Licensing Centre to handle the 
anticipated demand and the Ofcom lawyers stated that as they are the 
licensing authority they could not permit outsourcing of this function 
to the RSGB or any other organisation.   I should probably point out at 
this time that Ofcom base their figures on their ever expanding database 
of licences, not licensees, and this figure will probably not revert to 
reality until the first 5 year renewal period is reached.   Even then 
multiple callsign licensees will create a distorted total figure.   
Ofcom tell me, but I don't believe them, that they are unable to 
calculate the totals by individual licence holders.

After being persuaded that holders of 60,000+ licences were not about to 
apply for "vanity" callsigns they offered as an alternative to consider 
the expansion of the SCC programme to include individual licensees in 
addition to the "club" licences.   It should be remembered that not all 
contesters are members of their local club or contest groups.   This 
suggestion was put to the Contest Committee who reached a majority 
decision to support the proposal and this was in turn endorsed by the 
RSGB Board.

Ofcom realising that there are only 520 available combinations of SCCs 
under the present system, felt that some criteria as to the awarding of 
SCCs needed to be put in place in addition to the list of qualifying 
contests.   This was to prevent 'hoarding' of callsigns by licensees who 
probably have no intention of using the call but does prevent other 
qualifying amateurs from obtaining the call.   It has been pointed out 
to Ofcom on numerous occasions that again it was highly unlikely that 
there were 520 contesters in the UK wanting to apply for a SCC however 
they insisted on a criteria.   There were mutterings about human rights 
issues and law suits by the Ofcom legal advisors.

So, after two years of discussions you have what you see.   I'm not 
saying this is carved in stone but there will not be any changes until 
the end of this year at the earliest.

As I have said before, Ofcom will issue or renew a SCC at the behest of 
the Contest Committee and I believe the CC is knowledgeable and flexible 
enough to know who is or is not a regular contester.   Active long term 
members of the contest community who want to hold or retain a SCC should 
have no worries.

If you want to shoot anyone, shoot me.

73

Colin, G3PSM

On 03/03/2010 13:09, Steve GW4BLE wrote:
> I would be interested to know the series of events...
>
> Who kicked this off in the first instance - RSGB HFCC or OFCOM, if the
> former then why burden OFCOM with unnecessary work?  If the later, why
> didn't HFCC dissuade them of the fact there wasn't an issue?
>
> Had there been a sudden rush of applications for SCC's under the current,
> pre 23rd February, arrangement?
>
>
> Steve
> GW4BLE
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Colin
> Sent: 02 March 2010 20:16
> To: uk-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Individual Short Contest Callsigns
>
> Yes there was, specifically by the ex civil servant who looks after
> amateur radio regulatory matters plus the person in charge of the Ofcom
> Licensing Office.
>
> 73
>
> Colin, G3PSM
>
> On 02/03/2010 17:50, Steve GW4BLE wrote:
>    
>> Hmmm....
>>
>> Was there *really*  a concern  at OFCOM?   One would think there were far
>> more important things to be getting on with.
>>
>> "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind.....
>>
>>
>>
>> Steve
>> GW4BLE
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>      
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