The RSL,s are now optional and up to the operator if they want to use them or not ,personally i will be keeping mine for all operations
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For the time being, intermediate licence holders have no choice.
So you are banning the use of GB calls for SOTA?
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A very good point Colin!
Am I missing something here? (probably).
I thought that we enter our contacts (either as Activator or Chaser) into the SOTA database after logging in under our “userid” (which just happens to also be our callsign). In my profile I you can also list “alternative callsigns” that I use at times (e.g. when on holiday) and all the points earned go back to the primary “userid”.
If my callsign with the RSL up to yesterday was GD1ABC and I decided to drop the “D” as it is now voluntary and use G1ABC on the air instead - can’t I simply add G1ABC as an alternative callsign to my GD1ABC account?
Then I could log the callsign that I used on an activation (or while chasing) into the system and it would then know that the points earned should be put on the GD1ABC Userid/Account.
I can see that you don’t want everyone asking to change their account userids (in this example from GD1ABC to G1ABC) but otherwise, wouldn’t the use of adding the without RSL (or with the new E RSL added) call sign into the list of alternative call signs be a workable solution?
73 Ed.
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Not even necessary. That facility has nothing to do with logging contacts; it’s about name display in SOTAwatch. See:
When logging contacts, you give the callsign you used. It can be a variant, special RSL, club call, whatever. It just works.
Martyn
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But can I if I want to? Andy’s announcements suggest I can’t but since it clearly defines the DXCC I don’t see why it can’t be used.
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Anyone know if POTA or WWFF are continuing to mandate the use of RSL’s?
Completely agree.
I for one was looking forward to the simplification of not having to use RSL’s or maintain multiple logs under different callsigns.
At the moment I have to maintain M0GQC (home station), MW0GQC/P (Wales), M0GQC/P (England), M0GQC/A (second location) & if I cross the border into Scotland that will add MM0GQC/P. If I ever get around to going to the Isle Of Mann, that will add yet another.
It would be nice to combine all of my portable ops into one so I only have three logs:- M0GQC for home, M0GQC/A for the other location & M0GQC/P for everything else…simple. Why over-complicate things?
I’m not sure if there’s something in the database which requires the use of the RSL?
As others have already pointed out, activations/chases are logged against our username so I personally can’t see the issue.
I would hope whatever issue has prompted this decision would have been resolved by then, but you get no arguments from me. My jaw practically hit the desk when I came across this topic.
From a publicity standpoint, I don’t think the optics of this decision are particularly good. Especially for new people who join the hobby in a couple of years time having never operated under the old rules.
It doesn’t look very progressive that we are hanging onto old outdated rules.
Having had a good read through all of the posts above, I can’t find any good suggestions as to why RSL’s are necessary for SOTA which draws me to the conclusion that it’s the “that’s how we’ve always done it, let’s not rock the boat” syndrome and maybe a bit of nationalistic pride (or more accurately a fear of offending people).
It’s a bit like 160m. I don’t use 160m & I vary rarely use 80m because I got bored of lectures based on how the rules used to be in the 1950’s!
When all is said & done, the rules which we all abide by when we participate in the SOTA scheme essentially state that the management team have the final say.
I dislike this decision but ultimately there are two options:-
- Accept it and play by their rules
- Don’t take part & sulk alone in a corner somewhere
Your choice!
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I hope so!!
The UK has possibly more DXCC entities per square inch than probably any other “nation” of comparable size ( at least 7). Makes getting a DXCC award easy (right?).
I just got my RSGB entry level Region One Award recently and thought 40 “countries” would be easy only to discover that DXCC classification is simply a US thing created back in 1937 by the ARRL and so my contacts with Scotland, Wales, England all vanished into one bucket for the UK.
Without thinking too hard about this but definitely tongue in cheek it seems UK calls sign format/protocol have been “inadvertently” influenced by the US……oh horror of horrors……
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+1
What are these “obvious reasons”?
73
Rod
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After further discussion the MT has reached a decision to recommend that UK SOTA operators should continue to use regional secondary locators. This aids identification of the region from which the operation is being made, helping, for example, those who wish to track DXCCs.
However, QSOs with the RSL dropped are legal and may be logged for SOTA.
Foundation and Full licensees wishing to add the ‘E’ RSL for operation from England may do so and log such QSOs for SOTA.
Remember that on border summits the SOTA association code does not necessarily match the operator’s region; we now have two summits where (non-Intermediate) operators have a choice of three prefixes.
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Thanks for the clarification. I feel that this is a fair, sensible & pragmatic approach (for what little my opinion is worth).
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I think that is a very reasonable approach. Thank you for listening.
As I said, I was intending to do this anyway.
Martyn M1MAJ
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Most importantly the summit reference tells us where the activation is taking place, rather than neccessarily the callsign that is being used. Please do not remove the RSL from the summit association reference!!
73 Ed.
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In the vast majority of cases it does (in terms of DXCC). In all cases it does in terms of summit!
No intention. In fact this very thing contributed to the decision to alter “require” to “recommend”.
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No - the ‘E’ is optional for all except 2x0 and 2x1 calls.
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I didn’t think the changes to the regulations would make any difference to my activations but yesterday I had a new first from the top of West Lomond GM/SS-154. My first summit to aeromobile qso with GM4AOR/AM in a powered glider as he flew over Perth. A few minutes later he flew over my summit on approach to the airfield at Portmoak. It topped off a fantastic day out sitting in the sunshine playing radio.
Andy
MM7MOX
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Yep! Worked Ken /AM on Saturday whilst he flew above Loch Leven. Tracked him on Flight Radar 24. His track looked like he’d had a few wee ‘goldies’ before he took to the cockpit. Only kidding - as he was using a handset and was having H/S battery problems whilst trying to fly the plane.
And:
Strange - one logbook is all that is needed specifically if you use an electronic logbook. I use Google Sheets via my Gdrive. Works a treat for ALL my Amateur logging needs. Structured specifically (but with much more information about contacts) to match the SOTA Database (makes uploading easy). Can select by any of my many UK and international callsign variations.
Cheers
(;>J
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I was very surprised to see /AM included, albeit at QRPP levels in the new regulations. As a fixed wing pilot I really wouldn’t want the distraction of operating an amateur radio station while flying the 'plane, communicating with ATC, keeping a good lookout for traffic, etc. I’m amazed that the CAA didn’t kibosh the idea!
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