Call Sign out of area

[W6GQ]

Well, minus the whole, your'e and extra, you should know.

I don't travel that much so I thought I would ask here.

Since a person in the United States no longer needs to have a call sign based on their location, I have a 6 call and live in 9 land, I do not need to use my call as W6GQ/NINE, this much I know.

How about when I travel?

I am traveling to the Sturgis Bike Rally next month in South Dakota. I will be bringing my Elecraft KX3 and operating portable at the camp site.

Do I use my call as W6GQ/ZERO? I guess I really don't need to use the ZERO at all, I just want to maximize my contacts being QRP in South Dakota.

Thoughts?

[W4PG]

I've never liked the new system where you keep your call no matter what. I most definitely would sign portable ZERO while there! The XYL and I will be in Sioux Falls August 4-11 visiting her family. Went to Sturgis back around 2003 and I had NO IDEA what it was!! We were visiting her family and I told my wife I wanted to visit the Black Hills. She said, "You do know the Sturgis rally is going on, right?" I said, "what's that?"

Silly me!!

I'm a biker-wanna-be who dreams of biking up to Sturgis from Florida one day, but I guess I'd better learn to ride first!! Have a great trip!!

You need to sign, "W6GQ portable ZERO Sturgis South Dakota QRZ!!" Enjoy the pileup!!

[KF7ORO]

Why not do it? When people look you up on QRZ they'll probably assume you're at home unless you do something. Once people figure out you're in SD you might start a little pile-up. I know I need SD for WAS.

[N7SMI]

There's certainly no requirement to use the /0 in your call. But you may want to so people have an idea of where you're at. And if you add "/0 South Dakota" you're much more likely to get some answers to your CQs.

[WA7PRC]

You don't have to sign with anything other than your callsign, as issued. However, when I work you, it would be nice to know generally which direction to point my yagi (assuming I forget you're going to SD). From here, if you're in W6-land, that's ≈ 160° azimuth. If you're in WØ-land, it's ≈ 90° azimuth... a BIG difference. It's always good to give your location, whether you're away or at home. I try to do that 'cuz W7 land runs from US border to US border. IOW, just say you're calling from SD (not just WØ-land).

[K9ZMD]

As you could guess, there is no requirement to add the "/0" to your call sign, but others might appreciate it when you are using any band where directional beams are prevalent.

When I lived in SoCal, there were many times I'd answer a strong CQ on 20 meters (or higher), only to hear the station come back to me with a drastically weaker signal. Why? Simply because he heard my 9-land call sign & automatically swung the beam toward the Great Lakes. I soon learned to add the "/6" when I operated on 20-10 meters.

If operating SSB or a digimode, though, I would recommend that you not add the "/0". Instead, simply state that you're calling from SD to let folks know where to point the beam. That would probably boost your QSO rate, too.

ON EDIT. Man oh man, you can tell when you've asked an easy question . . . you get an instant flurry of similar answers. Proves that great minds think alike, but one of us types slower than the others.

[W6GQ]

Thanks everyone!!

I will be there August 8-12 and working SSB.

I was wondering if the contacts from me in SD will work for those trying to get WAS, now I know.

Hope to make a contact on the air with many of you!

Why not do it? When people look you up on QRZ they'll probably assume you're at home unless you do something. Once people figure out you're in SD you might start a little pile-up. I know I need SD for WAS.

[W6RZ]

In the 1988 June VHF contest, our little multiop group operated from a small mountain in Southern California between Malibu and Thousand Oaks. My friend KH6N was along, and we decided to use his call for the contest.

Conditions on 6 meters were incredible, and we were working stations across the entire US. Of course, the KH6 call was attracting everyone to our signal. Then we would give our grid as DM04, and you could actually hear the disappointment in the voice of the operator on the next over.

[W7KKK]

The only thing that I would consider is that many look your callsign up before the answer a call.
It may be a bit confusing propagation wise if people don't know you are on the road.
Yes it's not required but when I traveled in our RV I considered it a courtesy.

[K7MH]

I would be sure to say portable zero, South Dakota whenever possible. Then anyone listening would know for sure where you are. It isn't that much more to say if you want to maximize potential for contacts.