Yes Starting in 2015!
The divestiture of the Bell System in 1982 affected the associated companies in a way that is too complicated to contemplate. The resultant breakup muddied the waters for the then named Telephone Pioneers.
For the purposes of the Telephone Pioneer QSO Party, we will consider anyone who ever worked for the current sponsoring companies as a “Telephone Pioneer.” This will also include those subsidiaries that were completely separated from their former Bell System parent companies. An example would be Western Electric, Lucent, Teletype Corporation or various subsidiaries. In other words, you do not have be an official card-carrying member of the various pioneer organizations. It is purely voluntary on your part if you wish to become an “Official Pioneer Member” of a chapter.
The rules are changed starting in 2015, that contacts with non-pioneers will count and that we encourage the non-pioneers to operate as well. In this way we will publicize the goals of the Telephone Pioneers.
You will note that the some of the descendants of the Bell System companies are not on the following list. Those who were Telephone Pioneers are still Telephone Pioneers for the Telephone Pioneer QSO Party. The same applies to our Canadian and Independent Telephone Pioneer Association friends.
Which Chapter Should I Use in the Exchange?
The exchange consists of a signal report, Chapter Number and your name. The report and name are a “just nice to have.” The total number of different chapters (worked) is the multiplier used in calculating the score.
If you are unsure what Chapter to use, then the following links will help. Choose the appropriate organization and location that best matches your situation. Our Telephone Party QSO rules will contain a list of the chapters and their numbers.
Non-Pioneers are Also Welcome.
Finally, if you were never an employee of the Bell System and its associated companies, as a Non-Pioneer you are welcome to participate in the QSO Party — send “599” as your Chapter Number.
List of Companies Sponsoring Pioneers
AT&T Pioneers
All of the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska
Bell Aliant Pioneers
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
Canadian Self Sponsored Pioneers
Alberta
Ontario
Quebec
CenturyLink Pioneers
Arizona Iowa
Colorado North Dakota
Minnesota Oregon
Montana South Dakota
Nebraska Utah
New Mexico Washington
Idaho Wyoming
New Outlook Pioneers
Alabama Mississippi
Arkansas Missouri
California Nebraska
Colorado New Hampshire
Florida New Jersey
Georgia North Carolina
Illinois Ohio
Indiana Oklahoma
Kansas Pennsylvania
Kentucky South Carolina
Louisiana Tennessee
Maryland Texas
Massachusetts Virginia
Michigan
SaskTel Pioneers
Saskatchewan
New Vision Pioneers
California New York
Connecticut North Carolina
Delaware Ohio
Florida Oregon
Idaho Pennsylvania
Illinois Rhode Island
Kentucky Texas
Maine Vermont
Maryland Virginia
Massachusetts Washington
Missouri West Virginia
Nevada Wisconsin
New Hampshire
New Jersey
See you on the air October 17 and 18, 2015. To participate, check out the full announcement of this year’s event!