Using the Club Call - KC7EQW
In order to encourage the use of the club's call sign, make operating easier for everyone, and to maintain a good image for the club, the following guidelines and suggestions are provided for club members. They are not a substitute for courtesy and common sense. All efforts to adhere to these guidelines are greatly appreciated by everyone, especially the club trustee, N7TY, as any FCC violations would be brought against his license!
Club Call and Use
There are restrictions on where and when the club call can be used. Basically, there are only a couple of circumstances when the club call will be used: a club sponsored special event (i.e. Field Day, a contest, remote operations, etc...), or when using for FISTS or 10-10 operations. Using the club call does not give you any operating privileges beyond what you already have for your license class. For example, if you hold a Technician Class license you cannot use the club call in the Extra Class sub-bands. The club trustee reserves the right to determine when and how the club call is to be used.
FISTS Usage
Since we are a FISTS affiliated club, part of our intent is to promote the use of CW and FISTS in general, as well as help others towards awards by allowing them to gain 3 FISTS points. When using the club call for FISTS QSO's, it is recommended that you use well-known FISTS frequencies whenever possible. Multiple operators may use the club call simultaneously, even on the same band. However, if you know that another member is using the club call on the same band that you are (and there are not some special circumstances at the time, i.e. a club special event), you might want to consider moving to a different band or a different operating time so as to avoid confusion for non-member stations working the club. When making on-air contacts with the club call, identify the club, yourself, and give the club's FISTS membership number, 8675 and CC number, 1286. Remember that for the Op on the other end of your QSO, the contact is worth 3 points. When using the club call ask the other station to either "QSL via FISTS buro" or to "QSL via (your call)." Please go to the QSL page for more information on QSL'ing.
You can also give out your call and personal FISTS membership number, which will award the other Op an extra FISTS point. However, experience has shown that this can cause confusion for the other Op. Here is a suggested exchange that seems to work well:
Call CQ (or answer a CQ) with the club call. After greeting, RST, and your QTH try this:
"This is IVARC es Club FISTS nr is 8675 es CC nr is 1286 // Op is (your name), my call is (your call) es my FISTS nr is (your #) // Hw cpy?"
Then you can complete the exchange by signing with KC7EQW.
10-10 Usage
Coronado ARC is also affiliated with the Ten-Ten International, or 10-10 for short, an organization dedicated to maintaining high levels of communications on the 10-meter amateur band (28.0-29.7 MHz). Established in 1962, the organization sponsors many awards and holds several contest throughout the year, you can visit their web site for more details on these activities. There are also many nets organized by 10-10 Chapters to exchange 10-10 numbers, these nets are a great way to collect the numbers needed to qualify for the different 10-10 awards.
The Club's 10-10 number is only given out when operating on the 10 meter band. When making on-air contacts with the club call, it is done in much the same manner as FISTS operations. Identify the club, yourself, and give the club's 10-10 number, 73580. Similar to FISTS, Ten-Ten International also has a QSL Bureau, so when using the club call ask the other station to either "QSL via 10-10 buro" or to "QSL via (your call)." Again, please go to the QSL page for more information on QSL'ing.
I encourage all club members, who are interested in 10-10 operations, to join Ten-Ten International and receive a personal 10-10 number. Ten-Ten International is a great organization and its members are a dedicated group that care about preserving the 10 meter amateur band.
Logging Requirements
It is important that the club trustee know when and where the club call is used. With that in mind, it is required that if you utilize the club call, a copy of your log be sent (e-mail or snail mail as you prefer) to N7TY. This will assist in QSL'ing and keeping track of club call usage.
[ Top ]
Click HOME to return to the main page.