[Elecraft] 20 meter CW

[Richard Fjeld]

Maybe I can sum this up; they have all been good comments.

Things have really changed over the years.  When I passed my extra class license from the FCC, I was doing mostly CW at the time and I asked for a 1x2 call.  They gave me a 'N' prefix.  At first, a lot of people would not work me because they thought I wasn't legal.  There was no QRZ.net.  It took quite awhile for the word to get around.

There were no computers yet.  No logging programs.  Everything was logged manually.  Slash identifiers didn't matter.  The only drawback to being required to get a new callsign when we moved to a new area was QSL cards, and learning the new call.  The printers loved it.

Dick, n0ce

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron D'Eau Claire 
  To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 12:00 PM
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 20 meter CW


  A significant number of Hams are pleased to leave our computers in the
  office and out of the shack where we spend time relaxing to avoid "busman's
  holiday" syndrome. 

  Over the past century a /X has never caused confusion among Hams familiar
  with normal operating practices. In the USA, the reason for the solidus is
  to indicate something *added* to your call sign in accordance with the FCC
  rules. Your call sign is still your call sign as it always has been. 

  Originally "/X" it merely indicated operation away from your home QTH. So
  your reasoning is sound. Using a /X when you are at your home QTH might
  confuse some. 

  Even so, I understand those who do in order to provide a clearer indication
  of their general location. Nowadays when I hear a call sign I make no
  assumptions about where the station might be, but if there's a "/4" suffix
  I'm pretty sure it's somewhere in the Southeast USA. And, after all,
  portable operation is extremely common these days. Whether or not one is at
  the QTH listed on their license is no longer as significant as it once was.

  Years ago it was common practice for a phone station to give his QTH when
  calling CQ. Although I very rarely work SSB, I still hear that done by some
  stations. But we CW ops don't have an easy technique like that beyond the
  number in our call signs.  

  73, Ron AC7AC 



  -----Original Message-----
  From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
  [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of N3XX
  Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 7:22 AM
  To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
  Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 20 meter CW

  Hi all,

  It is very simple to check the callsign on qrz.com and see the qth.

  I have a "3" callsign, and live in the 4th call area.  All my contacts are
  uploaded to LOTW as N3XX.  If I were to work you as N3XX/4 then upload as
  N3XX, you won't get a qsl match on LOTW if you upload my callsign as N3XX/4.

  I know I could add the callsign N3XX/4 to LOTW, but would you really want to
  do have to upload your contacts as callsign/number?  If I were to upload as
  N3XX/4, and others upload only my callsign, N3XX, no qsl match.

  If I send /4 after my callsign, where am I?  Am I at home, or actually
  operating portable from another qth.

  If I send /4, then qsl cards start arriving for N3XX/4.  That's not my
  callsign.  When I receive a card, I want it to have my callsign on it
  without the /4.

  What about trying to get through a pileup with a portable callsign, or which
  group to call with if the DX station is going by the numbers?

  I know it might be convenient for some, but to me, sending /# after the
  callsign causes a lot of problems for people with callsigns in a different
  call area than the number indicates.

  Sorry, but I will never send my callsign as N3XX/4.  I don't see a good
  reason for it, and feel that it would only create more confusion.

  73,
  Tim - N3XX

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