[UK-CONTEST] Three character calls

[Gerry Lynch]

On 01/02/2011 18:35, Steve GW4BLE wrote:
> Re:
>> What we really need is a proper Vanity Call system, perhaps just for G3s
>> (only kidding)!
> Why not?
>
> I've got no interest in one, but I know some have. Why shouldn't there be some sort of 'long service' option for anyone who has held a licence for say, forty years ?

I am 33 years old (and have been licensed for 19 of them).  I would like 
a vanity call as my callsign is unbearably long, with six characters and 
a big fat zero in the middle.  I am willing to pay for a 2x2 callsign.  
I'd be quite happy to take a never issued Gi7+2 callsign.  I don't 
really think that waiting another 21 years suits me, nor do I think 
gerontocracy is a good principle for organising amateur radio, or very 
much else for that matter.  I don't see why I should be stuck with a 
crap callsign - which would actually be as good as a 2x3 callsign gets 
if some minor functionary had realised it would be smarter to issue G7 
calls to people to knew morse code and G0s to people who didn't.

I have neither a long dead relation who was an amateur nor am I buddies 
with someone in Ofcom nor do I hold high office in the RSGB.  The 
present system does not work for me.

We are talking about a system that was introduced in the US, what, 
around 20 years ago now?  Seriously, what's the problem?

73

Gerry Gi0RTN