Why you should drop /P from your callsign while doing a FT8 POTA activation

Something new on this page: an opinion piece. Let's see.

(Maybe) controversial take: If you do a FT8 or FT4 POTA activation, you should drop the "/P" suffix if your local regulations permit that. Let me explain why:

Here in Germany, the suffix of "/P" is not required by our regulator, BNetzA. Regardless, I see many activators using it. While it might attract some hunters outside of POTA if they see you are a portable station, it does actively LIMIT the amount of potential hunters you can get, in turn making it more difficult to complete your activation.

The cause for this: This limitation of WSJT-X for non-standard callsigns, which you are if using "/P".

For me, during Meme Appreciation Month, I can provide up to 3 callsigns and 3 contacts to any activator: My personal callsign (DB4SCW), a permanent club station (DL0LOL), as well as a short term event callsign (DF4CEPALM).

If you use a suffix on your call, I cannot call you using DF4CEPALM, because this QSO will not complete in WSJT-X.

Also, any other non-standard-callsign cannot work you. Examples:
- 9A/DB4SCW (operators on vacation or while travelling)
- DL2024E (event stations)
- DB4SCW/P (portable stations insisting on using the optional suffix)
- DB4SCW/M (optional suffix again)
-DB4SCW/MM (optional suffix again)

While the hunters could drop /P /M and /MM to complete the contact with you, one cannot do that as 9A/DB4SCW, because the prefix is required by law. Same with DL2024E - you cannot change that call to work an activator.

You see, by using /P as an activator yourself, you'll prevent anyone on vacation (or travelling) from working you (which is not uncommon), as well as special stations you might have liked to work.

On the other hand, at least in Germany, there is no downside to dropping /P from your call and because of this effectively increasing the number of eligible hunters.

This is why I would advise any POTA activator on WSJT-X modes to drop any optional suffix or prefix if permittable by local laws.

Thank you very much for reading this and sticking with me.

Have fun in the hobby and see you on the bands (without a suffix, hi hi).

73 de Stefan, DB4SCW, DL0LOL and (currently) DF4CEPALM