Special G calls (was Re: LF: VLF traces)

[John Rabson <john.rabson@numeo.fr>]

Some G7 and G9 calls were issued for a variety of purposes in the 1950s and later:

G7xx  (two letter suffix only) used by marine radio colleges and also for some high Arctic expeditions (G7AA and G7AB for example),

G7xxx  (three letters) class B amateur licences - 1960s onwards,

G9AED  was the original Independent Television Authority test transmitter at Crystal Palace, London about 1955,

G9x (one letter) would be a contest callsign in the amateur service.

I have been told that other G9 calls have been used by inspectors working for the UK licensing authority (GPO/RA/Ofcom depending on the date).

Some years ago, a G8 compiled a list of G7xx and G9xxx calls but I forgot to ask him for a copy.

G9BF was the fictitious callsign used by a regular contributor to Short Wave Magazine who satirised poor operating practices.  G9BOF might perhaps be of similar origin (BOF = Birds of a Feather, people who share a common interest).

The word Boffin reminds me of the term “Grimble”, which was used in student radio when I was involving such things. It had a slightly broader meaning, because the head of news (for examples) would be known at some stations as the chief News Grimble. I do not know the origin of the word but it may have been related to a Doctor MJ Grimble of Manchester University.  I believe he was a specialist in power engineering.

73

John F5VLF

On 13 Mar 2011, at 01:51CET, Markus Vester wrote:

perhaps related to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boffin ??

 

73, Markus

 

From: qrss@talktalk.net

Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:46 AM

To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org

Subject: Re: LF: VLF traces

A can of worms.
Some would say G9*** is a research and development licence and no G9's are Amateur calls.
"G9 Plus two or three letters have been issued to research organisations"
However
"I used a G9 plus two callsign for research activities"
"About 5 years ago, I obtained GW9T for Wrexham ARS."
Quotes are from MW1LCR

So there is a bit of background on G9 calls. What I think Andy was doing was telling the story without using a normal Amateur callsign which may have been issued ie not an actual person, for the illustration.

Or does Andy use G9BOF at work, I don't know.

Eddie

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