Complaints about 7P8 callsigns

Leon Tromp, 7P8EK, President of the Lesotho Amateur Radio Society (LARS) told SARL News "It has come to my notice that some hams have publicly challenged hams with 7P8 call signs that they are pirates and that the cases would be reported to ICASA.

As President of the Lesotho Amateur Radio Society (LARS), I wish to state that the exams for amateur radio licensing adhere to strict international standards. The issue of licences are subject to final approval of Lesotho Telecommunications Authority after passing the ham exam. The Lesotho regulations make full provision for these arrangements and are strictly applied by my Society. Lesotho is a signatory to the IARU and adheres to world standards with respect to licensing.

Many 7P8 hams work in Lesotho but over weekends reside in South Africa. The repeater positioned at Ladybrand covers both Lesotho and South Africa and there is no law in either country to prevent hams from using it for cross border communications. This repeater is connected via Echolink on weekends.

It is with utter dismay that our secretary reported that he overheard a conversation between 7P8JB and 7P8BS being interrupted by a South African ham to state that 7P8JB, 7P8BS and myself 7P8EK are pirate stations and that we must be ignored. No further contacts through the Echolink were possible since we were then regarded as "pirates". The fact that some ZS licensed hams have decided that they will adjudicate the validity of 7P8 call signs is not within their mandate and does not show the spirit of ham companionship encountered elsewhere. By the way, these hams are legally licensed ham operators.

I am also a member of the SARL and also hold a legal ZR call sign in addition to my 7P8 call sign. In my capacity as LARS President I feel obliged to strongly object to this type of behaviour and would further request that a general notice to be given to SARL members not to publicly broadcast their objection to so called 'pirate' 7P8 call signs. In the spirit of amateur radio we feel that this type of behaviour is uncalled for. The 7P8 hams have enjoyed good ham relationships with the ZS/ZR hams and wish that discussion, over the air, of these "illegal 7P8 operators" be stopped.

Please feel free to contact me any time if there is any doubt as to the validity of a 7P8 call sign. Swift action will taken by LARS against any illegal operators."

Courtesy of The South African Radio League

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