24-03-2020, 07:55 PM
Is the callsign/location connection a big deal given the current tools available? (internet databases and digital comms).
Not really. It has traditionally been prefix = Australian State. This new trend is similar to that of the USA where the initial callsign is based on the mailing address but the station can be anywhere in the USA and still retain a different call-area prefix. Interestingly, my initial USA mailing address is in Florida so I got a KX4 prefix (ie a 4 call-area issue) for my USA Extra Class licence but can apply for a Vanity call from any USA State / call area without anything else changing. The changes here are somewhat parallel. Under the changes, I can move south to VK2 and still retain the callsign I have had since 1976. (Not that I plan to do that either !)
I am asking as I really don't know. In my limited opportunities to operate it's not such a bad thing and I know change is difficult, but will this cause the sky to fall?
The sky might not fall but it will cause confusion, particularly with DX looking to VK for contacts.
Let's take the case of Richie VK8RR. He has been operating in VK4 (so VK8RR/4) and at one stage was in VK2 (so VK8RR/2) if I remember correctly. Others get a broad idea of where in Aus he is operating from from his verbal (/digital) 'portable 2' or 'portable 4' ID comment . Under this new callsign regime, he simply signs as VK8RR and may - or may not - be operating from the NT. In reality he is based in VK4 these days, according to some internet sources, while the ACMA Database still shows him with an NT Licence.
I am interested in what people think and how it would affect their method/s of operation.
I have done some caravanning in recent years and plan to do more. I read it that if only the initial State mailing address is relevant and that subsequent permanent location changes are updated to the ACMA then realistically I no longer need to sign 'portable' when travelling, or maybe something more specific like 'portable 2' etc.. My location changes don't need to be notified to the ACMA as they are short duration whilst travelling around VK and my home mailing address is still valid. That is not to say that I can't sign 'portable 3' as I have done in the past, just that I don't have to.
Make sense ??
Not really. It has traditionally been prefix = Australian State. This new trend is similar to that of the USA where the initial callsign is based on the mailing address but the station can be anywhere in the USA and still retain a different call-area prefix. Interestingly, my initial USA mailing address is in Florida so I got a KX4 prefix (ie a 4 call-area issue) for my USA Extra Class licence but can apply for a Vanity call from any USA State / call area without anything else changing. The changes here are somewhat parallel. Under the changes, I can move south to VK2 and still retain the callsign I have had since 1976. (Not that I plan to do that either !)
I am asking as I really don't know. In my limited opportunities to operate it's not such a bad thing and I know change is difficult, but will this cause the sky to fall?
The sky might not fall but it will cause confusion, particularly with DX looking to VK for contacts.
Let's take the case of Richie VK8RR. He has been operating in VK4 (so VK8RR/4) and at one stage was in VK2 (so VK8RR/2) if I remember correctly. Others get a broad idea of where in Aus he is operating from from his verbal (/digital) 'portable 2' or 'portable 4' ID comment . Under this new callsign regime, he simply signs as VK8RR and may - or may not - be operating from the NT. In reality he is based in VK4 these days, according to some internet sources, while the ACMA Database still shows him with an NT Licence.
I am interested in what people think and how it would affect their method/s of operation.
I have done some caravanning in recent years and plan to do more. I read it that if only the initial State mailing address is relevant and that subsequent permanent location changes are updated to the ACMA then realistically I no longer need to sign 'portable' when travelling, or maybe something more specific like 'portable 2' etc.. My location changes don't need to be notified to the ACMA as they are short duration whilst travelling around VK and my home mailing address is still valid. That is not to say that I can't sign 'portable 3' as I have done in the past, just that I don't have to.
Make sense ??
Doug VK4ADC @ QG62LG51
http://www.vk4adc.com
This Forum is only going to be as interesting as the posts it contains.
If you have a comment or question, post it as it may trigger or answer the query in someone else's mind.
http://www.vk4adc.com
This Forum is only going to be as interesting as the posts it contains.
If you have a comment or question, post it as it may trigger or answer the query in someone else's mind.