Amateur Radio Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [callsign]

For questions regarding callsigns, temporary designators, and related topics.

42 questions
14
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5 answers

How can I tell if a call sign is valid?

Many different countries have different callsign formats. The US call signs typically fit into a very well defined category, but there are exceptions even there. I'm looking for a way to tell if a call sign is a real call sign, that works with…
PearsonArtPhoto
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9
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1 answer

Is there a different ham radio phonetic alphabet?

I was reading New Ham Radio License by AG6IF and the author says something strange in the context of station/operator identification: Use the standard ham phonetics, not the Air Force version, or the Fire Department's version or something you heard…
RoboKaren
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7
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2 answers

Which country’s hams have the longest call signs?

Not including special event callsigns, which group (country/class/etc) of hams have and use the longest callsigns? I know that theoretically the longest would be a (3x4) or 8 character callsign but are these in use? I’m interested in which…
RoboKaren
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5
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4 answers

Are Americans the only hams with four-letter callsigns?

Some American hams are lucky enough to have four letter call signs such as: K1JT Are American hams the only ones with the possibility of a four letter call sign? Is there another country that grants four letter call signs to individuals on a regular…
RoboKaren
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3
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1 answer

Why do tables use lower-case o's in prefixes? Are they zeroes?

I often consult tables to determine where a station I'm hearing is located. I use them to answer questions like "TF, that's Iceland, right?" or "4X, where is that?". In every table I've found, the prefixes are upper case, except some of them contain…
EdvinW
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2
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2 answers

Proper way to announce call sign at start/end

This is a VERY basic question (new ham) but as I listen on the calling frequency I'm not clear about protocol for announcing call signs. If someone announces "ABC123 listening" they are waiting for someone to respond. Then when someone responds, do…
TSG
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