[UK-CONTEST] GR Callsigns in a contest

[Garo (Private)]

Hello All,

I was having a nice relaxed QSO with G3ZVW just before the contest last night and told him that I was looking forward to using my GR0PZA NOV callsign to give away a few points and that I was not sending an entry in, so should be ok. We both agreed this would be fine, and Steve (quite rightly) cautioned me about the rules.

However, after trying to call 4-5 stations, I realised that nobody was even answering my calls, and they were picking up non - GR or MR calls in preference !  I reverted to my G0 call and worked 30 odd stations on S & P, without having to repeat my call once in that period. Dinner (food) then took over, so I stopped and then came back for the last 15 minutes, finishing with only 37 QSO's.

Later in the evening I used GR0PZA  on 80M CW to work an EU pileup of about 150 QSO's in an hour.

I came to this country in 1975, already a British National from overseas, and I have to say I am proud to be British.  The GR calls have resulted in much controversial comment.  Why not "fly the flag" for a special occasion, something different?  What can be the harm.

Yours sadly,

Best 73
Garo Molozian
G0PZA / GR0PZA
RSGB DRRM Region 95
Chairman, Whitton Amateur Radio Group

PS.  Look up GB2IKE on QRZ.com (for those of you who are inquisitive) and look for us on Sunday the 8th of May.