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ke0me
05-31-2015, 09:20 PM
in the really old days, if I was operating away from home, I had to identify as "portable"

i.e. KE0ME portable 4, portable Ohio, etc.

I think I read somewhere that statement is no longer is required as long as u are in CONUS.

Comments please, as I want to operate within the rules, as far as I can.

NN5I
05-31-2015, 09:50 PM
It's no longer required anywhere, either in or out of CONUS. Same for "mobile".

Many people still use these modifiers, and there's no reason not to. Many, alas, use them imprecisely. But, used correctly, they provide info that may sometimes be useful to other hams.

Classically, The ham license was actually two licenses: a station license and an operator license. These were sometimes issued separately; I had an operator license in San Diego in 1957, but no station license or call sign. Later, having moved to Kentucky, I got a station license too, with callsign KN4SCK; then upgraded and got K4SCK. Later I was N5DRU, then KD5BH, and (since 1982) NN5I.

Properly, "portable" indicated a fixed station at a location other than the location shown on the station license. "Mobile" indicated a station that could be operated while in motion. Each of these required written authorization from, or (later) notice to, FCC (depending upon what year we're talking about). Nowadays, the station license and the operator license are one, and none of these designations are required, and you don't have to tell FCC; the rules have relaxed a lot over the years.

N3LYT
06-01-2015, 07:38 AM
I still sign with basic location even on 2 meters and when mobile usually say so because the DX stations usually give us chance against a kilowatt and 5 element beams.

wa8yxm
06-01-2015, 01:11 PM
On HamNation http://twit.tv/show/ham-nation Gordon West was ask that very question a few episodes back.

His answer was he likes to give his call followed the city he is in.

For me that would be "WA8YXM, Townsend, Georgia" Though being a ham for over 40 years I'm more likely to say "Portable 4".

ke0me
06-02-2015, 03:16 PM
As a common courtesy, I would always indicate location, even when at home.

Since I don't currently have a handheld, and the HF rig is for use at only the campground, I will be portable.

Thanks for the clarification on rules, I thought that was the case, just wanted to be sure.

Radio
06-02-2015, 04:15 PM
I've put some islands on the air and of course it helps if people know you are on an island, and which one.