The Australian Communications and Media Authority
automatically allows radio amateurs to substitute their normal VK
callsign prefix with the letters AX every Australia Day, which is Saturday January 26.
This gives them a chance to be part of the national day
around the European country which commemorates the first settlement at Port
Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788.
Many will celebrate the day with a variety of events and
night fireworks, a few receive a well deserved Australia Day honour, or
become a new citizen.
Those radio amateurs using AX are strongly encouraged to
have a QSL card under their alternate callsign, which is also
automatically available on ANZAC Day April 25, and World
Telecommunication Day May 17.
The ACMA, on the recommendation of the Wireless Institute
of Australia, may also issue special event callsigns with the AX prefix
on occasions of special national or international significance.
This occurred during the Sydney 2000 Olympics and saw AX3GAMES and AX3MCG issued for the Melbourne Commwealth Games in 2006.
(The Red Word European was added by the suggestion of Mr. Jame O Brien) (Thanks Mr. Brien)
The only thing I would change about Jim Linton's article is to insert the word "European" when he says "which commemorate the first settlement at Port Jackson". There were lots of settlements for tens of thousands of years before 1788. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Brien I have update it. Please check.
DeleteBest regards,
Al-Amin