Privacy?

[NC1]

One of my friends is a private detective and 80% of his work is finding information on whatever name is given to him along with what little other information there is to go on. He told me he is amazed at how much information is out there, and through no fault of the target.

Some people are trying very hard to be hidden but there is just too much already put out there on a daily basis that it's mind boggling. Basically, if you are alive, then there are multiple trails left by 3rd parties who you have interacted with whether it be the internet surfing, a purchase, something someone posted, a surveillance camera, a phone call, etc.

You can only do so much in keeping information private, those who want to find it, will.

Best advice I have is don't attract the kind of attention that will trigger someone to start digging.

 

[NavyBOFH]

As suggested, use a PO box, or UPS store or similar. To that, I would add...

Don't use your call sign as a login name for any social media, don't use your callsign in any on-line political discussions, don't post on QRZ or eham, don't get call letter plates on your call, don't wear your callsign on a hat, badge, or T-shirt, and don't become an officer of any clubs, and don't participate in any mobile operations where an antenna gets permanently installed on your car.

Follow those suggestions, and you can stay pretty anonymous.

All said and good if you are of a "generic American name"...

But for instance my name is pretty unique - so just talking in a ham group or with hams - my name can be run through ULS pretty quickly and limited down to a small number of people licensed in any service.

I can see the point OP is making - same concern I have had. And I have looked into the PO box idea - if it wasn't for the fact that I would be updating my ULS every time I moved. I am thinking of opening a PO Box in the same town as my parents or in-laws so I can have a "stationary place" even if I move.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

Hi Navy ....
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The PO Box is a great idea, but if it becomes like mine, its something you can't ignore. I have to visit it, or have someone do that for me, every couple of days.... it is amazing the stuff I get- and it clogs up very fast. You can't get the Post Office to not deliver junk mail either- believe me, I have tried !!
If mine starts to overflow, they'll put it into a basket for me... but my point is, if you are going to be muv'ing about and can't see to it frequently- best not go the PO route.
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But you did make an excellent suggestion-- why not use one of your family addresses? Remember, if you are applying for a license, your callsign will be that radio district. But since licenses are not mailed unless you request them, everything you will receive from the FCC will be by the 'Net--- that is, unless its a raid by Federal Agents-- but I am sure you aren't that kind'a guy......
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Unless you have more uses for that PO Box, save your money--- Hey, isn't this what family and friends are for ?.....smiles
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Lauri

 

[GROL]

FYI: It's not public information in every state. In Georgia, vehicle registration information is protected. Access is allowed only for official purposes. I know a police officer who was fired because he ran some tags for personal reasons. I'm a retired LEO and, the way the law is written, I couldn't legally run my own tag.

I don't want to hear from those who talk about hearing tag information on the scanner during traffic stops, etc. I know there are leaks. I'm just telling you what the law is in Georgia. They didn't consult me when they adopted it.

I think it is pretty much the same way in NC. I expect it is much easier to just Google a callsign than to try and get it through any State DMV. Public or not. Anyway, I don't feel at all comfortable with just putting may address on my tag via my callsign, instead of making someone having to get it a more difficult way. Security is never perfect in any situation, but you don't just open the door and say, come on in.

 

[k6cpo]

And don't get a license tag for your car with your call sign on it! Some idiot that didn't like the way you were driving could wind up in your driveway.

Well, I see someone mentioned this too, but still a bad idea.

Do you really think the average idiot out on the road is going to know your plate is an amateur radio plate and not just some random vanity plate? As I mentioned in my earlier post, the crooks who broke into my truck didn't target me because of my plate, but because mine was the one the were able to get into. And they still had no idea what they took when they grabbed my radio.

 

[KK4JUG]

In some states, it may not take much to recognize an amateur radio plate. Some states actually have "Amateur Radio" embossed on the tag.

 

[iMONITOR]

I think call sign or vanity plates draw unwanted/undesirable attention to you and your vehicle. Same goes for NRA stickers, political signs, etc. The key is to blend in, not stand out in a crowd.

 

[KK4JUG]

I can only remember two stickers I've ever put on a car. One was "It's Okay To Tell" regarding child abuse and the other was a bumper sticker with the name of my band on it.

I guess I actually wanted people to notice both.

 

[k6cpo]

In some states, it may not take much to recognize an amateur radio plate. Some states actually have "Amateur Radio" embossed on the tag.

I think call sign or vanity plates draw unwanted/undesirable attention to you and your vehicle. Same goes for NRA stickers, political signs, etc. The key is to blend in, not stand out in a crowd.

I honestly think your concern is a bit misplaced. I just don't see the "unwanted/undesirable attention" you're taking about and neither are any of my friends that have call sign plates on their vehicles.

 

[Murphy625]

I honestly think your concern is a bit misplaced. I just don't see the "unwanted/undesirable attention" you're taking about and neither are any of my friends that have call sign plates on their vehicles.

Imagine you're driving down the road and some jerk cuts you off or otherwise almost causes you to get into an accident...

We've all seen them.. they make a mistake and then flip you off pretending its you're fault.

Now imagine if one of these crazy people thinks you disrespected them and wants revenge.. Normally, you just drive off and that's the end of it... but with your call sign plastered on your vehicle, they now know where you live and who you are.

Googling a vanity plate call sign brings one right straight to your home.

 

[KE0GXN]

Its been my experience criminals are not scouring the ULS site, running amatuer plates on QRZ or scanning the ham bands to find out where you live to steal your identity or your TS-990....smh.

To each their own, do whatever makes you feel safe, but man I hope you realize some of you are making it out to be that, a new ham should be terrified of even uttering their call in public....much less letting anyone know what it is.

 

[KK4JUG]

Imagine you're driving down the road and some jerk cuts you off or otherwise almost causes you to get into an accident...

We've all seen them.. they make a mistake and then flip you off pretending its you're fault.

Now imagine if one of these crazy people thinks you disrespected them and wants revenge.. Normally, you just drive off and that's the end of it... but with your call sign plastered on your vehicle, they now know where you live and who you are.

Googling a vanity plate call sign brings one right straight to your home.

I think you're being ridiculous.

 

[KE0GXN]

I think you're being ridiculous.

David, lets put this to rest right now....

In your entire career, how many times have you ever seen someone victimized because the perpetrator had knowledge of the victim's callsign?

 

[KK4JUG]

Its been my experience criminals are not scouring the ULS site, running amatuer plates on QRZ or scanning the ham bands to find out where you live to steal your identity or your TS-990....smh.

To each their own, do whatever makes you feel safe, but man I hope you realize some of you are making it out to be that, a new ham should be terrified of even uttering their call in public....much less letting anyone know what it is.

After 3+ decades as a LEO, I have to agree. Most thugs don't have a clue about amateur radio let alone the way to access ULS.

 

[KK4JUG]

David, lets put this to rest right now....

In your entire career, how many times have you ever seen someone victimized because the perpetrator had knowledge of the victim's callsign?

Exactly none

 

[KE0GXN]

Exactly none

I'll exclude my military time since honestly not much happens on a military base crime wise. So in my 18+ plus years on the civilian side so far ...exactly none as well.

Now, with that said, I am sure someone will google an article where Joe Criminal victimzed a ham based on knowledge on their callsign to prove us wrong, so I will not be naive enough to say it has never happened....but geez I can say it is nowhere near the extent some would have you believe on here.

 

[dlwtrunked]

I think call sign or vanity plates draw unwanted/undesirable attention to you and your vehicle. Same goes for NRA stickers, political signs, etc. The key is to blend in, not stand out in a crowd.

Not a single non-amateur has ever noted my plate--only other amateurs; it lets other amateurs know to call me perhaps on 146.52. In Virginia, an amateur can get his call on his plate for $1--it is not a vanity plate but comes with an understanding to assist in emergency communications. If one want anonymity, one should in all seriousness pick a different hobby (or not use any outside antennas or ever transmit).

 

[Murphy625]

I'll exclude my military time since honestly not much happens on a military base crime wise. So in my 18+ plus years on the civilian side so far ...exactly none as well.

Now, with that said, I am sure someone will google an article where Joe Criminal victimzed a ham based on knowledge on their callsign to prove us wrong, so I will not be naive enough to say it has never happened....but geez I can say it is nowhere near the extent some would have you believe on here.

I can't speak for others, but I did not mean to imply in any way that there was a likelihood of being victimized because of displaying or broadcasting one's call sign.

You're not likely to have your identity stolen if you throw out credit card statements in the garbage either.. or post personal information on facebook.. or use weak passwords.. Heck, most people could probably leave the front doors to their home's unlocked when they leave and nothing would ever happen.

Its a game of statistical probability... its as simple as that. and yes, I would agree that displaying a call sign does not significantly add to those probabilities, but it does add.

 

[KE0GXN]

I can't speak for others, but I did not mean to imply in any way that there was a likelihood of being victimized because of displaying or broadcasting one's call sign.

You're not likely to have your identity stolen if you throw out credit card statements in the garbage either.. or post personal information on facebook.. or use weak passwords.. Heck, most people could probably leave the front doors to their home's unlocked when they leave and nothing would ever happen.

Its a game of statistical probability... its as simple as that. and yes, I would agree that displaying a call sign does not significantly add to those probabilities, but it does add.

And I get it. Not saying taking precautions is a bad thing, just hard for me to get wrapped up in hiding my callsign from the public, especially since I have parked a mobile billboard in front of my house for the last 18 years letting everyone know who I am, who I work for and obviously where I live. My anonymity died a long time ago. So yes, my address is on QRZ and I own amateur radio plates on my personal vehicle. It is what it is.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

Years ago I saw a neat Call Letter license plate:
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................... U4EAH
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I thought, "Wow, a Soviet can get amateur plates in that state ?"
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Then it hit me............
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Lauri
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(I've never btw, had call letter plates; I have enuff issues without flying above the radars.... )
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