[UK-CONTEST] Short Contest Calls.

[Nick Totterdell]

Hello,

>From my perspective, the balance on permissible contests for SCCs is pretty good
presently. For RSGB contests, apart from IOTA, I would prefer to use my
normal call anyway. All the International contests that I am likely to enter
are on the list. However, I am sure that if a form of words could be agreed,
it would be appropriate for CC to approach Ofcom to simplify the conditions on
usage. Perhaps it would be enough to stipulate that "SCCs can be used for
International Competitions, unless the rules of the competition state
otherwise".

My personal experience is that I have used M3W for International contests for
some time with mixed results. The benefit of the shortened call is partially
hampered on CW by the many responses "M3W?" and on SSB by "Mike Three Whisky,
what is your call?" or "Who is the Mike Three Whisky?" Now that M3W has propagated
through SCP, this has been reduced to one-in-a-hundred or so - on balance the SCC is slicker!

The other disadvantage with M3W is that it is attached to a club call rather
than my own and therefore doesn't contribute to awards under my normal
callsign. That is the price I pay for impatience, hi!

73 Nick G4FAL (M3W)