Summary of Draft Proposal Support

In February, 2007 emails were sent to the 187 respondents who answered the original 2x1 project survey. They were asked to read the draft 2x1 proposal and answer a short survey indicating if they supported the proposal, and/or would be willing to present the next draft to their local club for comments/suggestions when preparing the next draft.

The support survey was closed March 11, 2007. The following table summarizes the support survey responses

Table 1 – Support Survey Response Summary

Unedited Anonymized Comments

• I agree with concept of having 2X1 call signs available to the contesting community however having spent the last 2 years getting my personal callsign noticed and known by the contesting community I doubt that I would apply for a 2X1 call. The 2X1 call would be wonderful for new contesters just getting started in contesting but I think I would lose a little bit of call sign familiarity and with a "Little Pistol" station such as mine every advantage helps!!
• Looks good. I can not believe that changing the existing system will place a large burden on Industry Canada staff. However, if that was their main concern, then this proposal should remove that objection.
• On a personnal note, the cost is excessive, in my opinion. I doubt that I would ever apply for the 2 by 1 call. If the call were permanent, then of course I would consider the one time exspense.
• In addition to the recommendations in the position paper, there should be a recommendation that the 2x1 call holder must show participation in X number of valid contests during the previous year for renewal of the 2x1 callsign. Details of how to confirm this would need to be worked out. This would of course only work if a VG was set up to do the processing.
• I agree with Industry Canada's position with cost recovery and the lack of funding for Industry Canada's Amateur Radio Service. Since this lack of funding does exist, would it not be advantageous to revert back to yearly license fees as we had with the "Department of Communications". The yearly license fee of twenty dollars, or so, was quite reasonable and the funds collected this way would help the Amateur Radio Service of Industry Canada. There are many other countries who offer amateur operators a regular call along with a 2x1 contest call. Why not have the same here in Canada. If it requires supporting Industry Canada's amateur radio service with finances, I for one am willing to go that route. As was the case when yearly license fees were in place, there would be an annual fee for a regular call and another fee for the 2x1 call. This would mean that the 2x1 call would belong to the individual amateur operator until the license is no longer needed by the individual. A 1 year issue of special 2x1 calls sounds reasonable, but at the same time this could be extended for life with a yearly license fee. As for a 1 year dorment period after the period of the 2x1 call use, I would recommend that it be extended to 2 years dorment period. We all should support Industry Canada with its Amateur Radio Service, just as we support RAC.
• Thanks For Your efforts. I'll watch with interest.
• I'm assuming that the authors have reviewed other licencing protocols (in the context of 2x1 callsigns).If so, then following an established process (with appropriate changes to reflect Canadian Regulations)should not be a difficult "sell" to IC.
• I can certainly appreciate the efforts of RSC in this matter. Great work. I however find that incoming [QSLs?] in often take more than a year to arrive. On one hand I think it is a good idea to take one step at a time. The other side is saying why not go for the gold. Why put ourselves at a disadvantage to our very near nieghbors to the south who are issued 2x1's for regular amateur use. Especially as we are starting to see special event stations now being issued with callsigns in other contries. No reflection on RSC but we really are falling behind. This has been brought up before and once again I certainly do appreciate the efforts of RSC on this subject.
• I think that you have done an excellent job of gathering feedback from across the Amateur Radio spectrum and then integrating those comments and feedback into this draft document. I don’t believe that there is anything of substance that I could add. It is well written, concise but clear, and I believe makes all of the required arguments for change in the callsign system. I fully support the approach that you are taking and I would be more than happy to make a presentation to the xxxx Amateur Radio Club in support of this approach. We have an increasing interest in contesting in the xxxx region and in our xxxx club in particular, so I know that this will receive a favourable response. I would suggest that you put together a concise PowerPoint slide show that could be used for such presentations. Thank you so much for all of your hard work in support of our hobby.
• I think that assigning contest calls in the present manner, ie for one or two contests at a time is lunacy. This policy will create havoc for those who handle both incoming and outgoing QSLs in Canada and for those who issue such calls. (The low numbers of such calls being issued at present testifies to this.) We need to have 2x1 calls assigned for a period of not less than 1 full year, and preferably for a period of 5 to 10 years. This will lessen the burden on both the Amateur Radio Service Centre and on those handling QSLs. I would be willing to pay a yearly fee to keep such a call for 10 or more years. ALL available Canadian prefixes must be available for such assignments unless the Government can show cause why certain prefixes cannot be used.
• special callsigns to be issued for 1 year, and reissued to the holder yearly (see next point) and have a one year dormant period after use -special callsigns to have a user fee of $60.00 at date of original issue, with an understanding that the callsign is issued to the operator "for life" if he/she can continuosly demonstrate a contest use during a one year interval -regional identification integrity of database to be maintained -2x1 calls... first come, first serve... issued to those holding a 2x2 call -good luck
• I strongly believe that Canadian hams should be allowed to PERMANENTLY (or even 5 or 10 year terms) obtain a 2x1 callsign if it is shown that it is used...Regular contest activity is, in my opinion, a valid "use" of the callsign... There are plenty of available 2x1's, that otherwise will never be used...The fee should be the same as for a regular callsign...
• Don't belong to any local club but I fully endorse the paper.
• Excellent travail, Félicitations!!!! pour le beau travail et Merci de me consulter. Ne vous gênez pas pour me consulter à nouveau. Juste une suggestion, il serait bien si c'était possible d'obtenir un changement d'indicatif d'appel pour en obtenir un avec 1- un des préfixes disponibles suivi juste d'une lettre, comme dans bien d'autres pays, qu'en pensez-vous?
• I agree with the whole document. I just think that the 1x2 contest attribution policy must be more accurate by defining some attribution and renewal criterions in term of effective recent past contest activity. The reasons are : On short term : if the document is accepted by Industry Canada, the day after I am afraid to attend a soft “rat race” or a kind of rush. The consequence could be a freezing of the system by Industry Canada and / or an inappropriate attribution of best call signs (obviously, even into the 1x2 family, some call signs are more efficient that others). A system of priority based on the effective recent past contest activity (and /or results) during the launch period (3 to 12 first months) of the new system could smooth the rush. On long term : to avoid abuses and ruin of the 1x2 contester attribution system, the attribution policy must guarantee that the 1x2 callsigns will be used only for contest purposes or only by authenticated contesters (including of course casual contesters population). In addition, facility could be implemented for attribution to foreign effective or well known contesters, especially those who want to activate rare locations (cq z1, cq z2, CY, VE4!!!). thanks for your effort to improve our sport
• I would suggest the term of issue to be 2 years with re-issue not taking place for a further year. This would more aptly justify fees which might be set at $100.
• I indicated that I would be prepared to make a presentation to my local club but do not belong to any clubs at this time. I would be prepared to contact the closest club executives and get the issue on the agenda and help as much as I can. Somewhere I think it is important to clarify the requirements for the special 1 x 2 callsigns. There will always be 2 catagories, the "legitimate" special events (require defining again), like the 100th aniversaries etc and the contest special calls which also will require some definition. I do not promote the use of contest calls outside of legitimate contests. The definition of legitimate will need some work. Certain contests are no brainers but would participation in say the Michigan QSO party qualify? Probably not but I do agree that the qualifying contest list needs to be expanded from what currently qualifies. Great work has been done here .... congratulations on a fine effort to date.
• go for it we need to be able to compete on the world stage and be seen as leaders not followers
• Here are a few quick comments. I would also suggest that a table of all those 2X1's be made to show everyone the possibilities more concretely. Do you want me to put one together? It wouldn't be the first time! 5.1 This eliminates the possibility of "permanent" 2X1 calls. This option is one that would be most practical from an administrative view. A later step? 5.2 The elimination of the "Special Prefix" part of special calls would open the door to all calls, regardless of length, with prefixes other than VE, VA, VO and VY ( and CY?). The number of possibilities becomes virtually infinite, matching my comment above. (Hmm, maybe not - Imagine how many ??3DX calls would be in each contest!) 5.3 The number of individuals presently requesting more than one special prefix per year is very small. I'm sure that IC would in fact make much more in fees with the proposed scheme. 5.4 I agree with the dormant period with the possibility of reassignment to the same individual for a fee the following year. Could a life-time "subscription" be an option? 5.5 A great idea! Sign me up for a volunteer!
• I have not been associated with any radio clubs for many years.
• Please note that, while I generally support the position paper, I do not think that recommendation 5.5 is a good idea. I believe that the VG concept is unnecessary. I checked the numbers of 2X1 calls used in various countries in recent contests. The countries which most commonly use such callsigns are DL and SM. But, in recent ARRL DX contests I note that only 8 2X1 callsigns were used by amateurs in each of those countries. Canada would certainly not have as many keen contesters as does Germany. So, it seems to me that the number of 1X2 callsigns likely to be issued per year (assuming one year validity) is unlikely to be more than a dozen or so. Therefore, the workload for Industry Canada is unlikely to increase significantly provided that one-year validation is approved. I think that, if IC is made to understand that the one-year validation would mean that only a modest number of applications would have to be processed, then they would be quite likely to agree with the proposal. Requesting the VG group, on the other hand, is likely to complicate matters and probably cause IC to reject the proposal. Having said the above I should note that I am not a hard-core contester. I participate in about 6 or 7 contests per year. I would not want to use a 2X1 callsign.
• Thanks and appreciation is extended for the work done by group representing Radio Sport Canada.
• The one nice thing about a special call is that it is different. Contesters will recognize it in the future; but, not if the call is used only for a short time. I still feel that a regular or seious contester, get to be known by his/her special or 'different" call. It gives him/her an IDENTITY. If you lose the call even after one year - you lose your IDENTITY. Serious contesters will think you don't contest anymore or? I beleive if they hear your call you have a better chance to get through the pile-up, because you are recognized as a true contester. In our Club there is only one really serious contester, besides myshelf, and he operates only RTTY or CW. Many of the contests he enters are not on the list. I also think the list of contests should be expanded - such as the Stew Perry 160M CW contest and all the 160M contests, the 10M meter contests, the ARRL November Sweeps, as well as the NAQP and FISTS contests. Why not all the contests? So I'm willing to discuss this subject but my audience may not be too interested!! There are about a half dozen casual contesters. Most of them do not submit Logs, for the possible exception of the RAC contests. For your info, I also have a second call - VEXXXX - that I inherited. I started using this call last November 2006 exclusively, simply because it is a shorter call and just a bit quicker to use on phone es CW. It also helps too to get through the pile-ups. Tnx es Good Luck.
• I myself would just continue to use my own call. But for seriuos contest clubs I think it is a great idea. Our long VE calls slow down our rates.
• None at this time.
• 1. Don't limit the special callsign to specific contests. Let it be used in any contest during the period it is assigned. 2. The special callsign should be good for at least one year, then have the option to renue on an ongoing basis. One or more years inactive is needed after callsign is given up. 3. Avoid using current prefixes such as VY, CY, VE, VA. 4. Keep area designation numbers in place. 5. QSL'ing concerns via the bureau must be addressed. The database must be up to date and easily accessible. Since these are contesters and recieve a large number of bureau cards, the bureau manager can not be expected to examine the date on each card then check a database to see who it belongs to - so reassigned call will be a problem. (This is a problem today with special prefixes as in many cases both the VA and VE calls with the same suffix are being used, and one has to look up which call the special prefix applied to. Will QSL databases like QRZ.com be available? QRZ downloads from the IC database regularly. Once a call disappears from the IC database, it disappears from the QRZ database - so the QSL route is lost.
• Someone else from our club will present the position paper at the next meeting. Looks like you have everything covered. Good Luck
• I support your proposal ONLY on the condition that the full Canadian PX assignments be also made available for special events as well (as they where in the dim distant past). Based on your email response of: As for PX we are not proposing any changes to the way they are assigned for special events now. I do not support this partial proposal. Since I like to contest with MY calls and special PXs, I can't support your proposal. Keep a level playing field for all Canadian contesters!
• One Year Term with a fee would make sence. Local Club is very small.
• This seems like a very reasonable compromise. We need a champion at IC who can pilot this and without such an individual I think IC has too many other issues to confront to give this much time. Their unwillingness to turn over some administrative aspects to RAC also indicates a wariness at IC. More and more countries are moving to a special call allocation for contests and it would be useful to have some quantitative measure of our disadvantage but I don't know how to gather this. It is hard to see what objections IC can have other then the workload problem
• I believe that the structure you prepare to present represents the overall viewpoint of the Canadian Amateur Radio operators, both contesters and casual contesters alike. A job well done and hopefully to be taken to heart by IC
• I realy think that these 2X1calls should be Issued to Clubs and the Clubs should be responsible for Administration. They should be Issued on a Permanent Basis or Until such Time that the Club No Longer Finds a Need. I think that these Special Call Signs Should be Available for ALL Contests that the Club Participates.
• I'm not a member of a radiosport club so would not be able to discuss it with anyone other than my own guest operators. My BIG issue is with the current callsign reallocation time of one year. This is ridiculous as I've now got to support QSL cards, databases, E-QSL and ARRL, QRZ.com, etc. with multiple callsigns. Currently I've got five of them and will be adding a sixth, all with combinations of xx or xxx. Daft is all I can say. If someone else decided they wanted to pick up xxxx, as one example, then it's a nightmare for both the QSL card community and the QSL card bureau who now have to also check dates before they can deliver. There are only a handfull of serious contesters in each province. Give us a four letter call, xxxx as an example, and let us use it while we're contesting. Easy. Otherwise it's a nightmare for the guys who run the bureau, and our own sanity, as we each get thousands of QSL card requests every year. What contests are picked for special callsigns doesn't matter to me. It's the big ones that count as having a shorter callsign makes for more contacts.
• I don't mind supporting those of the amateur community who want a 2X1 callsign provided it's not reflected in higher costs to me, but I personally have no interest at all. I'm a relatively low level CW contester whose call is known to many people around the world and I have no desire to change it to something else; unless I happen to move to another call area.
• If the 2X1 call sign was allocated for a longer period of time, even for 6 months, and had the condition(s) for use stipulated as specific contests or special events, then I think you would actually see more people willing to pay the $60.00 fee. I would be one of them. Having a 2-letter call with letters that are easily sent and received on CW, I see no particular need to apply for a 2X1 call and have to pay $60.00 per contest. A Club or group of people might do it (to activate a Canadian Island for example) and maybe that would happen if IC considered the activation of an island to be a special event. If enough 2X1 call signs could be issued, the overall financial input to the Federal government may make it worth their while. The only way to get the numbers to a satisfactory level is to make the $60.00 fee look attractive because of the benefits derived from having a 2X1 call to use.
• I like the draft. It covers my objectives.
• Good work
• thanks for the good work