9. Other comments?

• 2X1 calls would generate more activity. Everyone wants to be a rare entity! With an exotic prefix even a LP station would feel like a DXpedition. I may entice more hams to get involved in contests and use the bands more frequently
• To allow 2x1 callsigns for contest is a great decision for IC. But the average amateur cannot afford $60 to use callsigns for 48 hours only. Like in Europe, I think we should have a call for 12 months, and that should be treated just like amateurs of other countries allowing annual contest calls. Better performance from Canadian operators equals better perception from the rest of the world.
• Currently it is too expensive, and difficult to obtain on a short notice.
• Most countries allow special calls like short 2x1 calls for contesting, this gives their amateur radio operators a competitive edge over Canadians in contesting. A long term before re-issuing the 2x1 call is important to me. Call sign recognition is very important . Short term issue and re-issue of callsigns creates confusion in the contest community and also the QSL bureau.
• I do think a contester is better prepared to jump on a radio in case of any emergency. Contest stations tend to have enough ham gear to run even in the event of some bacon frying in the shack. We have to improvise many times right now I operate from an apartment, well guys last contests I loaded my aluminum window frame just to get on the air. One day I will send 599 KW until then 73 & DX guys. Thanks for the opportunity
• It is important that we keep pace with the international community, and achieve recognition of our national progressiveness and awareness. I see problems with the incoming QSL bureaus having to keep track of who held a 2x1 call when. Also, a person who holds a call one year will get QSL cards in subsequent years because not all QSL manager sites keep proper track of exact dates that a person holds the call.
• Would be nice to see contesters use the QSL bureau system more.
• I think VO and VY prefixes should not be used for this since they are specific to provinces and territories and VE should be used as it is not specific to one province.
• Good luck with your endeavours!
• I feel CW should never be removed from the hobby, not that it is as important as it once was, but for the fact it offers more avenues and enjoyment for those that do learn it.
• Note Lack of VHF contests in your list????
• I prefer to use my own regular call(s) with a special PX. 2X1 calls for short term use causes QSL bureau difficulty. Who had the call, when and do I have time to read the dates on every card?
• I really feel that a 2x1 call is a statement of staus in the Radio Amateur hierarchy.
• Great survey. Would like to see more amateurs in Canada participate in contests!
• I would LOVE to have access to a 2x1 Canadian contest callsign. The benefits are real, and such a program would put Canadian contest operators on a level playing field with stations from other countries that have adopted 2x1 callsign programs.
• I can see the reason being to limit the time a 2x1 callsign is used. No one wants a callsign sitting there unless its being used. However I believe once granted the callsign should be available to that amateur as long as he/she wishes to pay for it and is active in a number of contests noted above per year.
• This is an extremely important initiative and I am pleased to see how well thought out and organized this group is. If there is anything further that I can do to assist please let me know.
• It is time Canada caught up with the rest of the world
• I feel that should the 2X1 callsign come to pass it should be for the duration of 3-5 years. Unfortunately how do you control the distribution of 2X1 callsigns to individuals wanting one? I am sure there are many Canadian Amateurs who would apply for one although they may not be a contester, even a casual one.
• The strange thing is -- and with the possible exception of a few events like IOTA -- I probably wouldn't use a 2X1 call sign for general contesting use. I have worked too long to get V?#??? recognized in international contest circles, and I'm somewhat reluctant to use something else. I operate only 100W and wire antennas and do reasonably well, but part of my success is due to the fact that other contesters recognize my call only when partially received under bad operating conditions.
• The contesting community keeps the amateur radio bands alive and well!
• I really think this is much ado about nothing. I prefer to use my own call. Special calls give unfair advantage to the holder, particularly in "silly" contests like WPX.
• We are far behind many countries in this regards. A lot are already using special prefix for contest and special events. I would be proud to use a special prefix in contesting.
• Good Luck
• Hope this will happen soon, it would be fun, Tns for asking my opinion, it s very much appreciated
• If a 2x1 can be kept several years, the attribution should avoid casual users who are not real serious contesters but big ego hams. Ex: the need of an evidence of min participation to 3 contests with a min of 750 qso/contest into 3 last years . Same for renewal. The system of 2x1 attribution should permit foreign contesters comming in Canada or new licence holders to get a 2x1 if he brings the above evidence( Not the current case for 2x2 in VE with a 5 years waiting independently of op value!).
• You start hard but necessary work for contesters. Thank you!
• I don't think I have been of much help.....Sorry
• I am unable to agree at all with the idea of 2X1 or other "special" call signs. Completely unnecessary in my view. 73
• I am a rover in many contests who also plans for portable and mobile operations in a dxpedition type setting to give out wanted grids and provinces. Canada's Maritime provinces are next on my list for travels abroad. Receiving suitable short calls for this venture will allow more contacts to be made.
• In reagrds to question 5 - I think the minimum term should be 2 years, or even more.
• Without the benefit of specific statistics, it seems that 8 out of 10 countries have 2 x 1 callsigns available, giving their hams a competitive edge over Canadians in contesting. I feel a long term before re-issuing the call is important. Call sign recognition is an important issue and one needs to have his contest call clearly identified with a consistent operator. Short term issue and re-issue of callsigns creates confusion in the contest community not to mention the QSL bureau. Although I do need/want a 2x1 call myself I don't mind if others acquire them
• 2X1 calls are really vanity call letters. They add little to ham radio operating efficiency but look cool on a QSL card. I am not a real contester. I enjoy the odd contest for simply the fun -- not to win any awards. 73
• This is a really poorly designed survey. It presumes people agree with the concept. Where is the means for someone to say they **don't** agree?
• If this was a self-regulating activity it would cost the government $0 in time and expense. If the self-regulatory aspect fails, then the government can come in and cancel the initiative.
• I believe that 2x1 calls would be even more advantageous in major domestic contests like NAQP, NA Sprints and SS - I am a bit surprised none of these were listed in Question 1. I think they would be least advantageous in single-band contests, where the element of surprise would lead to too many requests for repeats or miscopied call signs - this tends to sort itself out in a multi-band contest.
• Contests are fun to do. Good start for new hams to get their feet wet and test equipment. Soapbox: contests should be only 24hrs so non contesters could still have part of the weekend. I suspect this is the main beef of non contesters with the contesting community.
• I am not a true contester but will give my input anyway! I value my V?#??? call and wouldn't change it for what ever reason. Not even for a mil second advantage, I believe your call sign represents your country, a location on the world wide map, your entity. Not a tool to increase a score
• I would really like to see a the use of 2X1 over an extended period of time with a fair cost associated with it.
• It's easy to criticize, but I don't understand why Industry Canada is so rigid on this issue. Is there some secret reason why those callsigns are not being issued? Why do we have to be among the last in following the world trends? With the aging population of radio amateurs in Canada, I am afraid in 10-20 years nobody will need those callsigns anyway. Come on IC and RAC, give us those callsigns while we can still enjoy them!
• I don't do much contesting so my contribution to this survey is not much I am not sure about how much I would pay so I checked off zero for now.
• It is time that Canada provided recognition to many of its leading amateur operators more in line with the majority of other countries.
• Contesting also provides personal satisfaction, achievement and enjoyment to those taking part in this aspect of the hobby. It is not for everyone, and those who do take part do so at varying levels of intensity. As for myself, I'm quite content to use my originally issued call sign for all amateur radio activities.
• We often hear that radio frequencies are public property in Canada. So is the call sign pool. However the call sign base should not be treated with greed as a non renewable resource, that is lost forever when a call sign has been issued to an amateur. We don't live forever, and the amateur community (including contesters) is aging, a well known fact. Canada should not lag behind other countries, like US and UK, which have generous contest callsign policies that make sense.
• Contesting sharpens many of your skills, e.g. comprehension, being alert, reactivity, patience, consideration, etc. It's a great activity where you learn a lot of things.
• Do not put only mimimum but maximum times for access to a 2x1 call. Too many of the 2x2 calls are off the air once their owners, club and individual, become less active. Keep the 2x1 calls on the air and find an equitable way to give every one a turn with them.
• I am not really the right kind of contester to answer this survey. I participate mainly in single band CW classes, usually on 160 or 80. In those circumstances a 2X1 callsign would be of no help. In fact other contesters on those bands often are familiar with my regular callsign and that is a help. I wish you well with your efforts, but do remember that Industry Canada has very limited resources to deal with amateur radio. So, whatever you propose must be very easy to administer. 73.
• I think that stations should use the callsign that they were issued. I do not like the 2x1 idea.
• If someone wants a vanity call, why not make some money from it?
• Canada's contest operators are the "face" of Canadian amateur radio to hundreds of thousands of amateur radio operators around the world. The special "contest callsigns" will help us stand out in the crowd and put us on a level playing field with operators in many other countries that already have "contest callsigns". Amateur radio contesting is a world-wide competitive event, in some countries considered a "sport" and we are very much representing our country when we participate.
• I hear comments all the time that there are more and more contests every week-end and some HAMs don't like the fact that we take away their frequency or interfere with there regular QSOs.
• I believe 2x1 call signs should be assigned for a life and not for a specific term. It may be used for contesting only but it should not be re-assigned to others. Imagine what mess it would create exchanging QSL cards if the same call sign is used by multi users?.....Also, sport achievements in HAM radio community remembered referring to a particular call sign automatically referring to a particular person.
• Communities need to reach out to others and become involved and communicate with other parts of the world.
• I cannot afford anymore licences or toys for radio anymore. With the government making us pay for fishing and hunting licences now a boat licence it's hard to do anything anymore with your family. I just get in there and work as many as I can and enjoy it.
• I think that in order to negotiate with Industry Canada on the proper level we should produce complete list of countries already issuing 2x1 contest calls for their contestants 73 and I wish you good luck
• It is about time that Canada permits its radio amateurs to have the choice to use special prefixes. There might be a few hundred issued across the country...in this world of computers and databases it would not be that difficult a task to co-ordinate and assign 2X1 calls to those requesting them. If Industry Canada does not have the resources (!) then there are responsible people in our amateur radio community that could take on the task and accurately and efficiently look after this.
• I am also V?#?? and am submitting this form for both calls
• I see no reason why available prefixes should be restricted except in terms of geographic continuity - eg , VO should not be available in Ontario. Experience elsewhere has shown there is not a heavy demand for these calls, but the 'dormant' period should reflect the demand. I quite like the idea that they should only be available to clubs or groups.
• A big thank you to all the people that have taken the time to work on this project.
• I am a part-time Contester. I do work a few Contests; but mostly the smaller ones. If the Contesters start to be ignorant or otherwise I will STOP. The last small contest entered was the Wisconsin QSO Party of 2003 and the last large one was the CQ 160 SSB of 2003. I have given out contacts on some Contests since then but in MY opinion most Contesters will NOT QSL; THEY are IGNORANT; and SELF-CENTERED and lastly there are TOO many Contesters who will go to any EXPENSE and TACTICS to win.
• I guess that I am not a typical contester as I don't strive to be the 'best' or get the highest score. I just try to provide multipliers or just contacts for others and I like to test the limits of the bands and my modest station equipment. In short, I have fun!
• In order to make 2x1 call signs of any real and practical value, they would need to be issued on a longer term basis. All the items around managing the use of a call sign require some investment in time and resources for building recognition and managing things like QSLing. Only having them for special event use and short term reuse seems to cause confusion and impacts the exchange of QSL cards which often take several years for processing using the standard QSL bureaus.
• The ability to hear, comprehend, write or type all at the same time and at high speed and in heavy QRM is a valuable tool best sharpened in a contest.
• How did you get my email address? Perhaps some intro as to what a 2x1 call sign is would be appropriate before getting me to fill out a survey. Is this a world wide issue or simply the U.S.?
• If we are even considering issuance of special prefixes (or single letter suffix) I'd prefer they be issued to those amateurs among us who have contributed something special to amateur radio and/or country... not someone who can pay the going $ rate. Sorry if none of the above is what you wanted to hear but I've been in this game for 45 years and see it as "a way of life" not just a "hobby". 73
• These calls should be used for contests or special events only. They should only be used in the appropriate call region. Contesters will receive lots of QSL cards - There has to be an accurate, up to date record of who used what call when so the QSL Bureaus (and amateurs in general) can get cards to them.
• Before soliciting comments about something, it would be a help to define what it is you are talking about. I don't know what a 2x1 call sign is and don't think we should be messing with things. I recently heard some Canadian contesters on, using some weird call sign and though they were trying to dupe people into thinking they were rare DX. Even the "VA" designation is confusing to the contest world (and DXers) and has caused no end of confusion. Why do we invite more problems?
• Hey Syl: Nice to see something like this happen. Some years ago I tried to get a club (clubname) going but it fell flat on it's contester butt for lack of interest. Nobody was interested. I am currently trying to get the (clubname) rolling and am having the same success. Even the RAC does'nt want to know me/us, so good luck in your endeavours. We may have maybe three who (ve#'es) who will list the (clubname) as their club in contest entries, but it's a tough project.
• While not a serious contester, I enjoy participating for the reasons stated above. It is time that Canadian contesters have the same advantages as other countries with 2X1 and 1X1 contest callsigns. Thanks for organizing this survey. 73
• Only comment I have is, although some people complain about contesting, we have to keep the bands active.
• I'd like to see all the prefixes made available (like the USA) and the calls assigned on a permanent basis, needed to eliminate the potential QSL issues and loss of identity and proper recognition of achievements made using that call.
• I have no need or interest in a 2X1 call for contesting. I'd prefer special PX being available to use with my existing call.
• Radiosport Canada is 'making this' into a bigger issue than it 'really' is!!!
• If these callsigns are available for nominal cost yet easily obtainable then one would be encouraged to request one. If the cost becomes too prohibitive then interest will wane.
• The 2X1 call sign concept should be extended to include special events stations for such things as historical event commemoration (remembrance day, stampede, PCE, CNE)
• Distinctive prefixes and 2X1 calls are not an diminishing resource like oil. They can be used over and over again. They are not lost when once used. For this reason, excessive restrictions are redundant. They should be available for all contests with the simplest possible application method and a low cost administration system. All prefixes should be available - not just 6, and they should be available for at least a year (with a fee). Let's make it easy, not complicated.
• The opportunity to have access to a unique contest call sign would be nice -- but from my personal perspective, it's the promotion of my everyday call sign that's more important to me.
• Just as many other countries issue 2x1 calls permanently, I would like this to be the case in Canada. Since there is no problem occassionally using 2x1, why not just make it permanent?
• All prefixes should be available to those who wish them and not just a few unless it would create more of an administration problem for IC. If IC has dedicated employees for the amateur radio licensees in place then I cannot see why the above statement cannot be implemented.
• Although contesting can sometimes 'plug up the band', I feel that many Hams are getting very well adapted to communicating during difficult times.
• For the type of contesting in which I participate, I have no interest in a 2X1 callsign.
• Contesting was partially responsible for getting me interested in QRP operation. From there I chose to build kit transceivers, keyers etc.
• Quite frankly I am quite content with my current call sign. However with many other countries now issuing special call signs for use during contests it is perhaps time that Canada reciprocates by allowing the issuance of 2 X 1 call signs to its amateurs.
• Item 1....1x2 callsign should be available for all contests if granted yearly, even qso parties. Item 2....All Candian prefixes should be available. Why restrict it? The more prefixes active the better, especially in prefix contests.
• Why not include the ALL ASIAN contest, which I think is more popular that the JIDX? The JAs like rare prefixes.
• I am not sure whether it's a good thing or bad. I would probably get a call for the novelty of it but I am not totally convinced it's necessary. I like using different prefixes but I don't know if using a 2 x 1 call sign is going to make a whole lot of difference. Still it's something new and therefore people are going to be attracted to the call.
• I hope this survey is truly scientific, and answers not conforming to the exact wishes of the radiosport community will still be included in your final report. New Brunswick got stuck with VE9 over 10 years ago because of some over-zealous prefix nuts that wouldn't take "no" for an answer and convinced the DOC to make it happen.
• In Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), the attachment to the VO prefix is enormous, and includes people who know nothing at all about Amateur Radio. NL Amateurs would generally be interested in obtaining 2x1 calls with VO3, VO4, VO5, VO6, VO7, VO8, VO9 and VO0 prefixes and NO OTHER PREFIXES.
• 2x1 calls should be reserved for use by contesters. Special events tend toward acronyms. In order to qualify for a 2x1 call, you should have to submit scores to a prescribed number of major contests per year in order to retain the 2x1. Failing that, the call would go back into the mix. An avid contester would likely be willing to pay a premium for a 2x1 as long as he was assured of retaining it until he/she no longer participated in contests.
• I support fully the use of 2x1 callsigns during contesting activities. Other countries have been doing it for sometime and its appropriate for Canada to move in that direction. The administrative cost should be minimized. The call sign should only be available to hams with a valid history and track record of contest operating. The 2x1 call should be a personal assignment in order to deal with QSL issues.
• People in Newfoundland and Labrador whether amateurs or not have a profound attachment to the VO prefix. We have the only commercial broadcast stations on the air in Canada with VO in the call, VOCM, VOWR and VOAR, all am stations in St. John's. 2X1's with all the VO prefix's including VO3 through VO9 should be available but only in Newfoundland and Labrador. XO1 through XO9 could be another alternate set of prefixes. All other prefixes could be distributed in the rest of Canada.
• People in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), whether Amateurs or not, have a profound attachment to the VO Prefix. 2x1s with all the VO prefixes, inlcuding VO3 through VO? should be available, but only in NL. XO1 to XO? could be another set of alternative prefixes. Let all other prefixes be distributed in the rest of Canada.
• I greatly appreciate the effort of Sylvan and the group here to seek governmental permission for 2X1 callsigns. Thank you all for your efforts, Sincerely V?#?? My comments may be made public as you see fit.
• Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your survey. I'll be looking forward to hearing about the results. 73
• This is more of a prefix issue than a 2 X 1 issue. Given my call V?#??, I wouldn't use a 2 x 1 unless I could use a new prefix.