P202
Australian 2×1 Contesting Callsigns
Origins
An important part of Amateur Radio is international contesting, where operators participate in an on-air contests with rules and procedures where they attempt to make as many unique contacts as possible. These can be very busy times under noisy conditions and a challenge is to be using a callsign that is easy to hear and understand. Normal callsigns have a three letter suffix in the range VKnAAA to VKnZZZ (with some exceptions) Advanced operators may also be issued with 2-letter callsigns in the range VKnAA to VKnZZ. This has been the case for many years.
From 2019 to 2021 RASA made submissions to the ACMA and the Australian Maritime College (AMC) for a special single letter callsign to be made available for contesters in the range VKnA to VKnZ. These special Contesting callsigns are now known as 2×1 calls.
This plan was finally approved in October 2021. The launch appeared in a special edition of the QTC magazine one month later.
This edition may be downloaded via this link: https://www.qtcmag.com/books/dmxa/#p=1
A Summary of the 2 x 1 Callsign usage
Note that references to the Australian Maritime College are now redundant as the AMC no longer makes Amateur Radio callsign allocations. This is now managed directly by the ACMA
Original ACMA Announcement October 8, 2021
We recently conducted a survey seeking the views of the amateur radio community on allocation arrangements for 2×1 callsigns. We received 415 responses, and thank everybody who contributed. A summary of the results can be found below.
After considering the feedback from the survey, the ACMA has recommended to the AMC that it starts allocating 2×1 callsigns based on the following arrangements:
- The AMC will manage the allocation of the 2×1 callsigns on behalf of the ACMA.
- The callsign template comprises VK$A-Z, VJ$A-Z and VL$A-Z.
- Callsigns are:
- issued exclusively for amateur radio contests
- limited to amateur radio clubs and holders of an Amateur Operators Certificate of Proficiency – Advanced
- limited to one 2×1 call sign per licenced station – not including repeater or beacon licences.
- Successful 2×1 callsign applicants are not required to obtain a new licence or vary an existing licence.
- 2×1 callsigns will be issued for a period of 12 months.
- Callsigns will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The allocation process will commence at 10 am, 13 October 2021.
An Update by the ACMA
On November 15, 2022 the ACMA released a bulletin clarifying the use of these callsigns with a statement that after the callsign has been issued, that they do not regulate its use.
Allocation of 2×1 contest callsigns
We have recently received queries about the allocation and use of 2×1 contest callsigns.
Due to demand within the amateur radio sector for 2×1 callsigns for use in amateur radio contests, we worked with the Australian Maritime College (AMC) to develop administrative arrangements to support the allocation and use of these callsigns.
The arrangements for 2×1 callsigns, as outlined in the October 2021 amateur radio update, are:
- The AMC manages the allocation of the 2×1 callsigns on behalf of the ACMA.
- Call signs are allocated in accordance with the callsign template: VK$A-Z, VJ$A-Z and VL$A-Z.
- Callsigns are:
- issued exclusively for amateur radio contests
- limited to amateur radio clubs and holders of an Amateur Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency – Advanced
- limited to one 2×1 callsign per licensed station – not including repeater or beacon licences
- allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
- issued for 12 months.
- Successful 2×1 callsign applicants are not required to obtain a new licence or vary an existing licence.
There are no direct regulatory controls on the use of 2×1 callsigns. The ACMA’s view remains that most matters relating to call sign management, including 2×1 contest call signs, are not specific regulatory requirements. Instead, they are operational policies or established conventions and practices that we consider are better managed by the amateur radio sector.
Source:
https://vkradioamateurs.org/acma-does-not-regulate-the-use-of-2×1-callsigns/
Current (2024) ACMA Callsign Policy
Directives from the ACMA determine the details of the Australian callsign structure.
This document says:
Contest call signs can be assigned using the prefixes VJ, VK or VL, followed by a number (indicating the state or territory where the amateur operator is located), followed by a suffix of one letter (for example, VL3A).
Contest call signs can only be assigned to amateurs who hold an advanced qualification.
While contest call signs are assigned for a period of 12 months, contest call signs can only be used during amateur radio contests. Amateur operators must not transmit the contest call sign other than when competing in a contest conducted by a body or organisation (whether or not in Australia) that exists primarily for amateur purposes.
The list of available and assigned contest call signs will be included on the public register.
To apply for a contest call sign, amateur operators will need to:
- provide proof of their advanced qualification
- indicate their intention to only use the call sign to participate in amateur radio contests during the next 12 months
- pay the relevant fee.
Our website lists fees for call signs and our Cost Recovery Implementation Statement: Fees for radiocommunications, telecommunications and broadcasting services explains how they are set.
Source pdf:
(2×1 callsign details appear on Page 9)
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