Author: Alan, 5B4AHJ
The kingdoms of Rwanda and Burundi, previously part of German East Africa, were conquered by forces from the Belgian Congo in WW I. In 1924, the League of Nations issued a mandate giving Belgium full control over the territory, which became known as Ruanda-Urundi. Ruanda-Urundi was administered by the Belgian Congo.
Amateur radio callsigns used the OQ5 prefix until 1953, when the prefix became OQ0.
Following the dissolution of the League of Nations on 1946-04-20, Ruanda-Urundi became a UN Trust Territory,
but did not become a separate DXCC entity, being considered part of Belgian Congo for DXCC purposes,
since it was administered by Belgian Congo.
Following the independence of the Belgian Congo (which was renamed Republic of the Congo) on 1960-06-30,
Ruanda-Urundi remained a UN Trust Territory, still administered by Belgium, and was no longer oart of the old Belgian Congo.
Ruanda-Urundi became a separate DXCC entity.
The 9U5 prefix was used. The OQ0 prefix may have been used during the change-over period.
The September, 1960 issue of QST announced the addition of Ruanda-Urundi to the DXCC list:
"Ruanda-Urundi: Previously considered for DXCC purposes to be with the Belgian Congo because of
its administrative attachment to the Belgian Congo, Ruanda-Urundi will, as of July 1, 1960,
be considered as a separate listing. Ruanda-Urundi is a UN Trust Territory administered by Belgium.
Confirmations for contacts with Ruanda-Urundi stations must be dated July 1, 1960, or later".
Ruanda-Urundi split again into the separate entities of Rwanda and Burundi on 1962-07-01.
The September, 1962 issue of QST announced the deletion of Ruanda-Urundi from the DXCC list, with the following words:
"RUANDA-URUNDI: DXCC credit claims for the listing of Ruanda-Urundi may be made
only for contacts with Ruanda-Urundi between the dates of June 30, 1960 and July 1, 1962".
Reading this literally, and taking account of the word "between", means that QSOs must be dated in the range 1960-07-01 to 1962-06-30 inclusive.
The following OQ0 callsigns are known to have been active in the period 1953-60 (this may not be a complete list):
OQ0AV, OQ0BD, OQ0BH, OQ0CZ, OQ0DC, OQ0DE, OQ0DJ, OQ0DM , OQ0DZ, OQ0FB, OQ0FI, OQ0FJ, OQ0FW, OQ0GJ, OQ0HO, OQ0HQ, OQ0IT, OQ0JH, OQ0KU, OQ0KX, OQ0PD, OQ0RL, OQ0VN, OQ0VS.
The following OQ5 callsigns are known to have been active from the Ruanda-Urundi district of Belgian Congo in the period 1946-1953 (list under construction):
Acknowledgements
Anthony Quest G4UZN
ARRL QST
Wikipedia: Ruanda-Urundi
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