Vanity call sign question

[Major146]

As a technician it looks like I can ask for a 2X3 vanity call sign. Can the first two letters be WW? Then a number followed by 3 letters? I have searched the net but could not find an answer to this particular letter arrangement for a technician class license. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[doc62]

I did a vanity call sign search on radioQTH.com. They are available:

RadioQTH - Available Calls

 

[K7MEM]

As "doc62 suggested, yes, the "WW" prefix (2x3) is available to Technicians. But note that, you can also obtain a call sign with a single "W" prefix (1x3). Although, a 1x3 may be more scarce.

According to the ARRL web site: "FCC call sign Groups B, C or D. General or Technician class licensees can seek a 1x3 call sign (beginning with prefix N, K or W), or 2x3 call sign (beginning with prefix letter K or W)."

I would also suggest that you upgrade to "General". That will provide you with greater HF band availability. The test is not that difficult. But of course, that is your choice.

 

[Major146]

Thanks for the info. What I was particularly interested in is the second letter W allowed for a second digit in a 2X3 call sign? I know that a W as the first letter is OK but I am not sure about a W as the second letter.

 

[nd5y]

See

Amateur Call Sign Systems

About A unique call sign is assigned to each amateur station during the processing of its license applications. Each new call sign is assigned sequentially using the sequential call sign system, which is based on the alphabetized regional-group list for the licensee's operator class and mailing...

www.fcc.gov

 

[Major146]

See

Amateur Call Sign Systems

About A unique call sign is assigned to each amateur station during the processing of its license applications. Each new call sign is assigned sequentially using the sequential call sign system, which is based on the alphabetized regional-group list for the licensee's operator class and mailing...

www.fcc.gov

Thank you for the link and they do state that for a Tech. a 2X3 call sign can start with the letter W or K but they do not state what letters are OK for the second letter. This information is what I have been unable to find.

 

[doc62]

Thank you for the link and they do state that for a Tech. a 2X3 call sign can start with the letter W or K but they do not state what letters are OK for the second letter. This information is what I have been unable to find.

When I went to the website is showed a list of the available call signs meeting the criteria of WW#***

Here's the list

Call Sign	Available Date	Status
WW0JON	01/15/2005	Immediately Available
WW0WEE	05/05/2006	Immediately Available
WW0ZZT	12/09/2019	Immediately Available
WW1EMA	09/20/2021	Immediately Available
WW1FWB	08/20/2020	Immediately Available
WW1HOP	10/21/2008	Immediately Available
WW1JKB	03/14/2022	Immediately Available
WW1WDP	01/18/2020	Immediately Available
WW1YAK	03/25/2017	Immediately Available
WW2COD	01/15/2022	Immediately Available
WW2END	04/23/2020	Immediately Available
WW2HTR	07/17/2013	Immediately Available
WW2OLF	01/23/2016	Immediately Available
WW2SOT	02/13/2020	Immediately Available
WW2VET	09/11/2010	Immediately Available
WW2XYL	01/08/2010	Immediately Available
WW3JAY	11/11/2025	Available in 649 days
WW3LEE	07/28/2014	Immediately Available
WW3SAT	09/14/2023	Immediately Available
WW4ALC	11/15/2020	Immediately Available
WW4ATR	04/12/2025	Available in 436 days
WW4BCH	04/22/2025	Available in 446 days
WW4BPH	03/04/2009	Immediately Available
WW4DJB	06/04/2002	Immediately Available
WW4EMC	06/18/2018	Immediately Available
WW4EMT	05/22/2004	Immediately Available
WW4GAR	09/08/2024	Available in 220 days
WW4JEL	08/27/2018	Immediately Available
WW4JOE	03/02/2025	Available in 395 days
WW4MEL	06/15/2013	Immediately Available
WW4RAY	11/20/2025	Available in 658 days
WW4RMS	04/28/2024	Available in 87 days
WW4WFU	07/21/2008	Immediately Available
WW4WJD	10/27/2002	Immediately Available
WW4WTT	07/16/2016	Immediately Available
WW5EMA	07/27/2016	Immediately Available
WW5HLV	08/19/2018	Immediately Available
WW5RAD	09/18/2021	Immediately Available
WW5ROY	07/21/2024	Available in 171 days
WW5SKY	12/09/2021	Immediately Available
WW6BBB	10/01/2018	Immediately Available
WW6DCL	09/29/2023	Immediately Available
WW6DLS	10/19/2023	Immediately Available
WW6DUF	02/21/2025	Available in 386 days
WW6EMS	04/03/2022	Immediately Available
WW6JAG	10/08/2018	Immediately Available
WW6JEG	10/11/2010	Immediately Available
WW6PAC	08/24/2023	Immediately Available
WW6PTW	07/01/2018	Immediately Available
WW6SRS	04/22/2001	Immediately Available
WW6TED	03/14/2022	Immediately Available
WW6TSF	07/18/2021	Immediately Available
WW6TXA	05/19/2019	Immediately Available
WW6TXB	11/04/2002	Immediately Available
WW6USN	01/06/2025	Available in 340 days
WW6WWW	09/23/2024	Available in 235 days
WW7BOB	04/17/2025	Available in 441 days
WW7CAT	11/14/2021	Immediately Available
WW7JTH	04/23/2023	Immediately Available
WW7LDS	11/04/2008	Immediately Available
WW7MOM	04/30/2023	Immediately Available
WW7PDX	11/01/2022	Immediately Available
WW7TPH	04/20/2023	Immediately Available
WW7WTF	04/02/2024	Available in 61 days
WW8BOB	05/07/2023	Immediately Available
WW8MGM	06/17/2003	Immediately Available
WW8MRN	09/04/2025	Available in 581 days
WW8RON	06/16/2022	Immediately Available
WW8RPR	07/08/2019	Immediately Available
WW8USA	04/07/2024	Available in 66 days
WW9ZZZ	08/14/2021	Immediately Available

 

[Major146]

Thank you for the list. Is this list a complete list or just a partal one? Can you please tell me where this list is located so I can check it out for more detailed information?

 

[doc62]

Complete list. Go to the link I posted above. There a is a box there where you enter your parameters.

 

[nd5y]

Thank you for the link and they do state that for a Tech. a 2X3 call sign can start with the letter W or K but they do not state what letters are OK for the second letter. This information is what I have been unable to find.

If the first letter is K, N or W then the second letter can be anything (in English. You can't apply for WÄ5ÆØÅ).

There might be exceptions. WC used to be reserved for RACES stations. I don't know if it still is.
There may be other exceptions for certain geographical areas if you don't live or have a mailing address there but If you want WW I don't think there would be any restrictions.

Callsigns that start with A can only be AA-AL because AM-AZ are allocated by the ITU to other countries.

 

[Major146]

I am not trying to be thick but when I go there and put in my peramiters all I get back it "No call signs found matching the specified criteria."
Does that mean that it is not available to be used as a call sign or that no one has ever been issued that call sign?

 

[K7MEM]

I am not trying to be thick but when I go there and put in my parameters all I get back it "No call signs found matching the specified criteria."
Does that mean that it is not available to be used as a call sign or that no one has ever been issued that call sign?

You need to read all the information provided on the search page. It does not show call signs that have never been issued. Call signs with a "WW" prefix are just not that popular. Below is a quote from the search page:

"It should be noted that there are valid call signs that will not show up here simply because they have never been held by anyone since the FCC began keeping track of call signs online. This site pulls from the current FCC data and will not be able to show these call signs. So if the call you are interested in is a valid call sign and doesn't show up here, use the "call lookup" link to the left to search for the call. If no data is found for the call and it is a valid call sign then go ahead and apply for the call and you will likely be granted it."

So if you get the return that says "No call signs found matching the specific criteria", the call sign is valid, but has never been issued before. If that is the call you want, you can apply for it and you will probably get it. To be double sure, use one of the many call sign lookup utilities to look it up. I don't know what you entered for parameters, so I can't do it for you.

I have a extension added to Chrome called "Ham Radio Lookups" that allows me to look up any call sign in several different data bases, without being logged into those sites. Mostly I use the QRZ.COM lookup. I don't know if it is available for other browsers.

 

[doc62]

Are you filling out the display options box ?

For format select 2x3
For prefix select W in both boxes
Then Hit search

 

[Major146]

Thank all you for being patient and helping out a newbe. I beleive I now have all the information I need to procede. Thanks again.
73's.

 

[lenk911]

I was granted K0TMY in 1959 and had it for nearly 20 years. When I moved to Texas on 1978 I accidently checked the wrong box on the application and got a N5 call. When I returned to Minnesota, all I could do is to vanity K0TMY back again. I have proof of original licensing.

QUESTION: Has anybody been able to convert a vanity license to an original/permanent with proof of the original license?

 

[nd5y]

QUESTION: Has anybody been able to convert a vanity license to an original/permanent with proof of the original license?

You can't "convert" a license.
If you want your old callsign back your only option is to apply for it as a vanity callsign if it's currently available (not currenly assigned or has not been used within the 2 year grace period).

When they first started the vanity callsign program in the 1990s the first people eligible were only able to apply for their previous callsigns. Having proof of a previous license now is meaningless unless you had the callsign less than 2 years ago.

Amateur Call Sign Systems

About A unique call sign is assigned to each amateur station during the processing of its license applications. Each new call sign is assigned sequentially using the sequential call sign system, which is based on the alphabetized regional-group list for the licensee's operator class and mailing...

www.fcc.gov

Federal Register :: Request Access

 

[AK9R]

K0TMY is currently held by a ham in Minnesota.