Amateur radio tradition is over-ruled
down-under
Crackdown on Special Event calls
Australian telecommunications regulator ACMA has tightened the reins
for those wanting a special event callsign.
Jim Linton, VK3PC, has the details
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has confirmed a tightening-up
of the rules for amateur radio special event stations and is now rigorously
applying them.
It began refusing some applications for special event callsigns earlier
this year, but only recently published its new rules.
Australians have two special prefixes, Alpha X-ray for national or international
events while Victor India is for locally significant events.
However these will no longer be issued for recurrent events, except
for Australia Day the 26th of January, Anzac Day our veterans day on the
25th of April, and the ITU’s birthday on the 17th of May.
Use of the VI prefix for events such as the International Lighthouse
and Lightship Weekend have now ceased. This year in Australia four callsigns
were issued for this weekend before the new rules were invoked.
Victor India 4 Victor Victor, that had been operated by Vietnam War Veterans
from a special place in Queensland, has had its last airing, according
the new rules.
Anniversaries are also now restricted 'unless it is a significant occasion
such as the 25th, 50th or 75th anniversary'.
The new rules provide that generally only one special event callsign
will be available for each event. They also that state: "Special
event stations will normally only be issued where the amateur station
concerned is actually participating in the event." What a whammy!
With heightened security at major events, the tradition of amateur stations
celebrating events without them having direct participation in event has
been the normal practice but not anymore in Australia.
Jim Linton VK3PC
Amateur Radio Newsline
If you hear fewer Australian special event callsigns on the air, now
you know why.
|
