"...Mobile"

[KD8TZC]

What does it mean when someone says their call sign with Mobile after it (e.g. "K8XYZ mobile"? Does it simply mean they are mobile and not transmitting from a base station? If so, is there a reason we may want to know they are mobile and is this required?

 

[K4APR]

Usually means they are in a vehicle and on the move. I tend to use that when I am "mobile".

 

[n5ims]

Agree, it generally means they're in a vehicle. You may also hear some say "portable" which would indicate they're on their HT. It's a bit more rare, but you could also even hear "aeronautical mobile" (plane) or "marine mobile" (boat).

The rules used to state that if you weren't at the location of your license, you had to indicate that using the sufixes you're hearing, but they also had to add the FCC district they were located in. For example, if I was driving around near my home, I would need to ID as "N5IMS Mobile 5" (it was generally allowed if the district you were in matched your license's district you could omit that part so the ID would be "N5IMS Mobile". If I was in California (FCC district 6), my ID while driving would then be "N5IMS Mobile 6" or if I was at a temporary base station location it may be "N5IMS Portable 6".

If I moved to California, the FCC would issue me a new call sign for district 6 and my N5IMS call would no longer be valid. They stopped forcing call signs to be aligned with the FCC district several years ago and these rules were dropped.

 

[kg4ojj]

Although it might be unnecessary, the use of KG4OJJ-mobile differentiates that radio from the base station or KG4OJJ-portable (or KG4OJJ-aeromobile). Some hams use numbers to identify which portable they are using (not my practice).

For local use, "KG4OJJ-mobile" translates to me being in my truck. If in another state or out of my local area, I might not use the "mobile" suffix. I know a few hams who have used signaling modes (e.g., MODAT) to signify that they are on their portable vs. mobile, etc.

Some will claim that this practice is redundant. This additional labeling of your license is not required by the FCC, but has been adapted by many as common practice.

 

[N1XDS]

Like what the others have already said..Means ''callsign in the mobile (vehicle) or if their on a portable/handheld radio unit they will say ''callsign'' portable.

 

[kennyloatman]

It also gives the person listening the information that your transmission may change [fade in and out or other irregularities] due to change in location if your mobile or portable.

 

[KD8TZC]

Thanks guys... makes perfect sense.

So when I get my ticket, would I have to do anything special if I travel from Ohio (where I live) and head into PA where my one son goes to college? Ohio is 8 ( not sure what PA is) but would I have to append that as N5IMS hinted at? I wasn't sure if it is a requirement or a nice to know.

 

[n5ims]

Thanks guys... makes perfect sense.

So when I get my ticket, would I have to do anything special if I travel from Ohio (where I live) and head into PA where my one son goes to college? Ohio is 8 ( not sure what PA is) but would I have to append that as N5IMS hinted at? I wasn't sure if it is a requirement or a nice to know.

PA is in district 3. As far as your question, you no longer need to append anything. As I indicated, the FCC eliminated that requirement several years ago. You may still want to add "Mobile" so folks may know to adjust their "style" to allow for the added noise you may have and/or expect signal fluxuations due to mobile operation.

 

[rapidcharger]

Be sure to pronounce it "Mo-biel" .
People love that.

 

[ab3a]

The US and Canada have reciprocal license agreements so that licensees from Canada can use radios according to US laws and US licensees can use their radios according to Canadian laws when traveling in the respective country.

This is why you can hear people identify themselves as "portable VE" or "/VE" if they're in Canada. You may also hear Canadian call signs operating "portable W3" or whatever region they're in. The latter IS still required by international agreements so that you can know which laws someone is working under.

In general, US and Canadian allocations are very similar. However, there are other countries with reciprocal license agreements that have very different allocations. In general there is a license grade mapping that takes place, and there are different frequency and power limits when you travel there.

For example, I spent a year operating in Israel. My license there was AB3A/4X, or "Alpha Bravo Three Alpha Portable Four X-Ray". Their regulations, frequencies, and allocations were very different...

 

[kb2vxa]

I should add that with the exception of repeaters the intent of which is to extend mobile range good operating practice is to give mobiles priority because they are at a disadvantage. This is true across the board regardless of the band. This is especially important working DX because they get lost under the dog pile, they deserve a break.

 

[AC2OY]

It also gives the person listening the information that your transmission may change [fade in and out or other irregularities] due to change in location if your mobile or portable.

Kenny nice shack man!! Is that tripod in the picture a antenna mount perhaps? If so how well does that work inside your house or living room??!!

 

[KC0KM]

One of the guys in my local club says "motal" when he is on his motorcycle, and "mobile" when he is in his truck. Just as the others have said, it merely lets others know you are "moving". When others come over the radio when I am at home, they might be mobile, and I chime in and say I am "stationary".

 

[LtDoc]

If there's some significance for you (or 'them') to be identified as being mobile then say that you are. If it isn't important to you or 'them', and it's not a requirement, then don't. Whatever 'grabs' you. I think it amounts to how significant it may be.
- 'Doc

 

[w0fg]

Many of us were licensed back in the day when /mobile and /portable designators were required. Some of us even remember when mobile logging was required. If I'm in a different callsign area I still ID the old fashioned way; e.g., W0FG mobile nine, or W0FG portable 5, depending on whether I'm in the car or operating from a fixed location. If you operate APRS you'll also see digital identifiers like 'W0FG-14' that are simply a standard APRS convention to designate the type of vehicle or station.

 

[kennyloatman]

Kenny nice shack man!! Is that tripod in the picture a antenna mount perhaps? If so how well does that work inside your house or living room??!!

Thanks Fuzy, The tripod actually has a light on it [ from pottery barn ] . The only antennas I currently have is a radio shack 20-179 out on a 20 foot mast for the scanners, and a 80 foot long wire for the Grundig. A 2 meter repeater is less than a mile and a half away, so I don't have any problems reaching it with my portables.

 

[JnglMassiv]

Another factor I think not yet mentioned is that stations often give precedence to mobile, portable, QRP and other disadvantaged operators. You'll often hear some far off DX say "Who was the mobile?" when working a pileup. They recognize the effort and luck that the 'stroke' stations have put forth and there's a bit of novelty on the both sides of the QSO.

 

[KD8TZC]

"stroke" stations?

 

[JnglMassiv]

"stroke" stations?

I guess that would be confusing if you'd never heard it.
The format is [ callsign ] / [ suffix ]. The word stroke is used for the symbol also known as forward slash and which shares a key with question mark. The word stroke is used for verbal clarity. You don't often hear it when the signals are good (like a typical repeater) but if you're repeating your callsign slowly and phonetically to some rare DX, you want to make sure they're copying it properly.

 

[donnie_ke6don]

FWIW, when I first got licensed, I was living in Calif and my call assigned by FCC was KI6UQI.
Now that we have moved to Utah, I got a vanity call for the Utah area which is "7".
From what I understand on the FCC site, you can live in a 6 area, for instance, ang get a vanity for any area you would like. It s your choice.
Hope this helps.