Thanks for the very thorough response, Colin.

Hopefully, others can benefit from it too.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 11:36 PM
Subject: Re: Question about proper call designator for RV HF operation


just indicate your current operating state.
So, if your moving, your mobile.
If your using your normally mobile station, but you are not moving, your
probably portible, but you can still say mobile because you are using a
mobile antenna installed on a vehicle.
It's got nothing to do with how you are powering your rig IE battery power
or AC converted to DC power or whatever.
Sort of the rule of thumb is portible is used for a station that is set up
at a different location from your home QTH IE a parked RV, cottage, cabin
whatever.  Mobile is used for a station that is either moving, or is set up
in a vehicle that has been, or will be moving or that is likely to move hi
hi.
Call designators are no longer necesary, but just for the sake of the other
station, you can say slash and W followed by the state designator.
So if you were in texas, you would say your call and slash W5...and if you
were moving you'd say this is KB8TYJ/w5 mobile.  And, if you were sitting in
an RV park in texas, you would say this is KB8TYJ/w5 portible.
Not required, and many ops don't always put the area designator after their
call...unless they really want others to know what state or region they are
transmitting from.

The wonderful thing about ham radio is that there is often no right or wrong
way to do something, and it usually comes down to personal preference as
well as the amount of information you choose to impart to other stations.

73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "tom behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 8:10 PM
Subject: Re: Question about proper call designator for RV HF operation


>    Well, that's kind of what I'm wondering, Dave.
>
> I know the legalities aren't there any more, but I'm trying to determine
> what is best to give those folks I work, either normally or in a contest,
> in
> order to  give an accurate picture of my situation when in the RV.
>
> Will wait with interest to see what any others have to say.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dave Marthouse" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 10:06 PM
> Subject: Re: Question about proper call designator for RV HF operation
>
>
> Tom,
>
> According to the law you don't have to append a portable or mobile
> designation to your call anymore.  I remember back in the 70's when I
> first
> got into amateur radio you had to indicate that you were mobile or
> portable
> and state your current call district.  Maybe it is a good idea to still do
> this just as an informative item for fellow hams out of courtesy.
>
> Dave Marthouse N2AAM
> [log in to unmask]