Author: Alan, 5B4AHJ


Jamaica

VP5 was the prefix for Jamaica in the immediate post-WWII era. Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1962-08-06.

Following independence, the VP5 prefix continued to be used until April, 1963, when the prefix became 6YA. The prefix for Jamaica became 6Y a year later.


Cayman Islands

Cayman Islands was a colony of Jamaica until 1962 and also used the VP5 prefix.

When Jamaica became independent in 1962, Cayman Islands became a Crown Colony, and continued to use the VP5 prefix.

Cayman Islands has used the ZF prefix from January, 1966, and is now a British Overseas Territory.


Turks & Caicos Islands

Turks & Caicos Islands was a dependency of Jamaica until 1959-07-03, and also used the VP5 prefix.

On 1959-07-04, Turks & Caicos Islands became a separate colony, but the governor of Jamaica was also the governor of Turks and Caicos Islands. The VP5 prefix was retained.

When Jamaica became independent in 1962, Turks & Caicos Islands became a Crown Colony, and continued to use the VP5 prefix.

When Cayman Islands began using the ZF prefix in 1966, Turks and Caicos remained the only DXCC entity using the VP5 prefix.

Turks & Caicos is now a British Overseas Territory, and still uses the VP5 prefix.


Callsign mapping in Club Log

The following table documents the way in which VP5, ZF & 6Y calls are mapped by Club Log.

Prefix DXCC Mapped by Start End Note
VP5 Turks & Caicos Prefix 1945-11-15 - Start date is implied. The prefix definition does not include a start date
VP5 Cayman Islands Callsign exception

Dates vary for each callsign
VP5 Jamaica Callsign exception

Dates vary for each callsign
ZF Cayman Islands Prefix 1966-01-01 -
6Y Jamaica Prefix 1963-04-01 - 6YA calls are also mapped by the 6Y prefix


Related articles

Prefix changes over the years


Acknowledgements

DX News Sheet published by Geoff Watts, issue #59, 1963-04-23

Wikipedia Cayman Islands

Wikipedia Jamaica

Wikipedia Turks and Caicos Islands