I've recently become interested in using forward slashes (/) to separate prefixes and call signs, but I haven't found a lot of comprehensive information or discussions on the topic. So, I'm posting this thread to summarize the information I've gathered and to discuss it with everyone else. This includes formats and usage for prefixes and call signs both domestically and internationally, as well as pronunciation issues.
First, we will discuss the domestic "pre-launch" prefixes for launches from different locations.（B9/BH1ZZZ）。
The only result I found regarding the new regulations for 2024 is this one.PostIt was mentioned earlier, so I'd like to bring it up again and get everyone's opinions. Specifically, regarding the 2012 version (Administrative Regulation No. 22 of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology).《Regulations on the Administration of Amateur Radio Stations》According to the regulations:
Article 34: When operating a ham radio on a non-commercial amateur radio station or when an amateur radio station, approved by the national radio management agency, operates from a location other than its designated site, it shall use the assigned call sign for the amateur radio station as specified in the "Amateur Radio Station Call Sign Guide" attached to this regulation.
Appendix 3, Section 7 and 8 of "Amateur Radio Station Call Sign Instructions" states:
- When transmitting on a ham radio operated by someone else, you should use the call sign of that specific ham radio. Individuals who have obtained a ham radio license can use a call sign in the format: "Letter B, operating amateur radio zone number, / , your own ham radio call sign".
- Amateur radio stations approved by the national radio management agency, when conducting remote transmissions outside of their licensed location, must use a call sign in the format: "Letter B, [Call sign of the operating amateur radio station], / , [Call sign of the operator's amateur radio station]".
In November 2023, MIIT also issued additional clarification:"Issues related to using a call sign when operating a ham radio from a different location"。
However, in version 2024 (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Decree No. 67)《Regulations on the Administration of Amateur Radio Stations》and the corresponding attachment 2"Regulations for Amateur Radio Station Call Signs and Issuance Requirements"In this case, these regulations have all been removed.
Additionally, some questions from the 2021 amateur radio question bank regarding transmitting call signs from different locations (such as LK0079, 84-86, and 93) were also removed in the 2025 edition.
Article 58 of the 2024 version of the "Regulations":
This regulation comes into effect on March 1, 2024. The "Regulations for the Management of Amateur Radio Stations" (No. 22 Decree of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology), published on November 5, 2012, is also simultaneously repealed.
Does this mean that in the future, domestic satellite launches will no longer be required to include a zone code prefix?
Next are the prefixes associated with foreign call signs before and after transmission.
Wikipedia'sAmateur radio call sign: # Second-level prefix or suffix typeThe explanation is quite clear. This primarily refers to the situation where, under certain international (bilateral/multilateral) reciprocal operating agreement conditions, signatory countries recognize each other's licenses, allowing a ham operator to operate in a specific country. In this case, the callsign must be prefixed with the identifier of that country.
Three well-known protocols exist.CEPT(European Conference of Postal & Telecommunication Administrations (European region), CITEL/IARP(International Amateur Radio Permit, Central and South America), Canada-US operating agreement. WikipediaInternational amateur radio operationThe articles also include detailed descriptions and illustrations depicting participation in the country's activities.
According to ARRLRegulationsWhen operating from Canada and the United States to other countries, the callsign must be followed by a regional identifier, such as N1KB/VE3.
According to CEPT TR 61-01With IARPApplication formThe regulations require that a regional identifier be added to the call sign, for example, OA1/W1XYZ.
The new question bank also contains a question with the call sign K3TRX/VE6.（MC1-0253）。
Therefore, to summarize, when operating internationally, you need to add a country identifier in the call sign, but whether it should be placed at the beginning or end depends on specific regulations.
Additionally, a new call sign, 3DA0FZ/DL5CMP, appeared in the new question bank.（MC1-0254）It doesn't match the information I'm currently seeing, and I'm not sure what it means. Could a colleague from another station provide some clarification? (Is this related to using temporary call signs for international operations? Or having multiple call signs in different countries?)
There are also several common file extensions that should not cause any controversy; here they are:
/P (portable), /M (mobile), /MM (maritime mobile), /AM (aeronautical mobile), /<Domestic amateur district numbering>(This indicates transmission from within a country, similar to the situation discussed earlier, where Chinese regulations use prefixes; occasionally, domestic stations also use this suffix format) / QRP (low power)
Finally, there's the perennial debate about how to pronounce "slash" in English.
Surprisingly, in forums both domestically and internationally (1，2，3) You can also find related discussions on other platforms, which demonstrates that this isn't just a problem we're facing (laughs).
The new question bank uses portable (MC1-0253, 254), which hasArticleI also believe that "portable" should be used; and BH7FFR's station uses it as well.VideoLi believes that it should be said in slash (there are also great discussions in the video comment section).
In discussions on foreign forums, most people believe that "slash" or "stroke" should be pronounced, and in the "/P /M" case, the slash should be omitted, pronouncing it as "portable mobile."ARRL Question BankIn question T1F06, "stroke slant slash" are all correct pronunciations; while CEPT TR 61-01Section 2.3 specifies that the stroke should be pronounced.
Personally, I would prefer to pronounce it according to how the other person pronounces it. Otherwise, I will default to pronouncing it with a slash. How do you and your colleagues typically pronounce it?
This is all the information I could find. If there's anything missing, please add it below.
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