Question about Silent Key application timing (US)

[528490458237]

Hi everyone thanks for your help!

The situation is:

• Last week I submitted a cancellation request for a Silent Key callsign, the FCC has acknowledged it.
• This license is Active in ULS, but Expired in late 2025, so is due to Cancel next year.
• The Silent Key license holder passed away over 5 years ago, so the 2-year family window no longer applies.
• (edit: I am Amateur Extra and eligible to apply for this callsign)

The reason I'm asking is, there's conflicting guidance across resources like AE7Q, ARRL, and even the FCC's own website:

AE7Q's SK page (AE7Q's Amateur Radio Database Query Tools)

• "5. Wait until the FCC cancels the callsign. ...6. Wait another 30 days after the effective date of the cancellation."

ARRL page (Cancelling a License)

• "Apply as soon as possible after cancellation to avoid any issues."
• "Please note: The effective date of the cancellation will be the day of the former license holder’s death."

FCC FAQ page (https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/vanity-faq)

• "After you confirm that the license status has been changed to cancelled in our licensee database, file your request promptly. The call sign will not be held for you."
• But contrary on this same page: "If, however, a license is canceled due to the death of the licensee more than two years earlier, the call sign remains unavailable for thirty days following the staff action canceling the license."

Which is it??

My specific questions:
When is too soon / too late to apply for this soon-to-be cancelled SK callsign? Should I wait exactly 31 days after the cancellation date to submit? Or if I apply ASAP (either now or once it shows as Cancelled), would it be dismissed outright for being too early? Or would it not matter since FCC "batches" applications anyway? (Don't want to risk applying too late, and I'm nervous because some folks seem to shotgun applications with no regard for too-soon or too-late, and frequently swap callsigns--I just want this one callsign!).

(Unfortunately AE7Q's message board is down due to hosting issues, so asking here. And, appending the application with additional callsigns to reset the date is just risky, in my mind, since I don't want other callsigns.)

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

You should call the FCC and ask the question. I have had to call them recently with respect to a part 90 question. I did get a prompt response, though the answer was incomplete. That said, they reached out and requested part 2 of my situation.

 

[WB5UOM]

But call early in the am....if you wait, you likey will be 3,555,656 in line waiting.
They are very helpful 98% of the time

 

[528490458237]

Update:
I called yesterday but not much info (~3min wait), they were clear on two points:
- those who answer the phones aren't experts on Processing rules (so was familiar with the 2-year clause, but not when/if the 30-day clause applies)
- Processors aren't allowed to engage with the public

Clear answer from another amateur on reddit though:

https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1qgivkt

The last FCC quote you gave is exactly correct. If they're notified of the death within two years (or, I guess, 23 months) then the timer for availability to the general public (not "relative of former holder, deceased") is set to two years after the date of death. If they're notified later than that, then it's 30 days after they find out and update the record.