Author: Alan, 5B4AHJ


The ITU allocated prefix block 8OA-8OZ to Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland), in 1968.


The first known use of the 8O prefix was from July-December, 1976, when Botswana stations could substitute 8O5 for their A2 prefix, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Botswana's independence on 1966-09-30.


There was no subsequent use of the 8O prefix until September & October, 1986 when the 8O2 prefix was used. This is likely to have been used to celebrate 20 years of independence. 


Since 1986, the 8O prefix hase been occasionally used for special event stations.


Club Log maps 8O callsigns as follows:

8O5 as a prefix, from 1976-01-01 until 1976-12-31:

8O as a prefix, from 1986-09-01:


Related Articles

African states - independence dates and prefix changes


Acknowledgements

DX News Sheets, published by Geoff Watts

#310, dated 1968-02-27

#736, dated 1976-07-13

#740, dated 1976-08-10

#748, dated 1976-10-06