Australia: ACMA clarifies rules on use of special callsigns

The ACMA has published its latest rules for allocation of Australian amateur callsigns with AX and VI prefixes and special suffixes. These are summarised as follows.

Permission is normally given to all Amateurs to use the AX prefix on every Australia Day, Anzac Day and ITU Day, however special event callsigns will not be issued for recurrent events unless it is a particularly significant occasion such as the 25th, 50th or 75th anniversary, etc.

Special event callsigns will normally only be issued where the Amateur station concerned is actually participating in the event. Generally only one such special event station licence will be issued in relation to a particular event.

The callsign may employ special prefixes (AX or VI) and/or special suffixes. ACMA may authorise the use of callsigns with suffixes comprising two or more characters (letters and/or digits). All special callsigns will include the appropriate State indicator.

A short term licence will be issued for the period of the event or celebration. Requests for special callsign prefixes or suffixes should be submitted to ACMA along with the appropriate licence application forms three months prior to the expected date of use.

AX prefix
The AX prefix is only available for occasions of special national or international significance, such as Australia Day, ITU Day or the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Occasions warranting the use of the 'AX' prefix will be determined by ACMA in consultation with the WIA. Allocation of the prefix will be restricted to the duration of the occasion

Under such circumstances the 'AX' prefix may be used in lieu of the normal 'VK' prefix by all Australian amateur stations.

The allocation of specific 'AX' prefix callsigns for individual particular events, where the callsign does not comply with usual amateur callsign construction cannot be guaranteed.

VI prefix
The VI prefix is only available for occasions of special State or local significance, during such times when this prefix is not required by ACMA for use by other services. Occasions warranting such use will be determined by ACMA in consultation with the applicant.

Use of the 'VI' prefix would usually involve 'VI' being substituted for the normal 'VK' prefix. The allocation of specific 'VI' prefix callsigns for individual particular events, where the callsign does not comply with usual amateur callsign construction cannot be guaranteed.

Requests for the allocation of the 'VI' prefix will only be accepted from clubs, organisations or amateur groups.

Requests for special event callsigns will not be accepted for the purposes of gaining an advantage in on-air competitions; or for use during Islands on the Air (IOTA) competitions, DX expeditions, or fox hunts and the like; or for annual events.

The complete ACMA ruling may be found on the internet at:
www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.852114:STANDARD::pc=PC_1255

Glenn Dunstan VK4DU
Director WIA

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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