[Elecraft] RE:Signing /4 - was: Finally made first contact with K1

[Don Wilhelm]

Kevin,

N8IQ is all that is required to conform with the FCC regs.  You might want
to use the /4 if you want to indicate the call sign area where you are
located.

I have a W3 call, but live in the 4th call area and I seldom use the /4
suffix.

It used to be that you could know the approximate area a ham was located -
nice for pointing beams, judging propogation, etc., but that day disappeared
when the FCC no longer required a change in callsign when you moved to a new
callsign area - that change happened sometime after 1969 and before 1989 - I
moved from Ohio to MD in 1969 and had to change calls, but moved to NC in
1979 and was able to keep my W3 call.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> Actually, I decided to cut my makeshift dipole down to 20 meters.
> Therefore,
> I'll try the 20 meter net instead.
>
> Question: Is it still required to follow your call sign with "/" and the
> region if you're operating in a region different from your call sign? In
> other words, do I need to use "N8IQ/4" or just "N8IQ"? I thought I read
> something about a change in the FCC rules. It's been over 20 years since
> I've worked HF.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kevin
> N8IQ/4 (or is it just N8IQ :) )
>