Vanity Call Sign

[N2AL]

Hey everyone! I have a question and a request for input regarding a vanity call sign.

Today, 05/17/2016, the call sign N2AL came available, after being canceled on 05/16/2014, when the licensee changed their call.

Viewing AE7Q's Amateur Radio Database Query Tools it shows the call is canceled and is now available. I submitted my application for this call sign today, but if you scroll down you can see two other stations who submitted an application for this call sign yesterday, 05/16/2016.

It is my understanding that operators have to wait two years, and one day, before they can submit an application for a vanity call license, if the call sign in question has been previously canceled.


My questions are these:

Is it correct that applications must wait two years and one day before filing for the application?

The stations who submitted applications for this call sign on 05/16/2016 prior to the two years and one day mark, what is the possibility one of those stations will receive the call, as both now show the status, "Pending Level 2"?




Andrew | N4AWL
N4AWL | Amateur Extra – November Four Alpha Whiskey Lima

 

[AK9R]

Yes, you have to wait two years and a day.

If you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the AE7Q page, it shows that applications from N5CJP and KC8WTK will be be rejected for being filed too early. The "Pending Level 2" is the FCC's processing status. The bottom of the page is AE7Q's prediction.

 

[N2AL]

Yes, you have to wait two years and a day.

If you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the AE7Q page, it shows that applications from N5CJP and KC8WTK will be be rejected for being filed too early. The "Pending Level 2" is the FCC's processing status. The bottom of the page is AE7Q's prediction.

W9BU Thanks for your help! I scrolled to the bottom and saw that. I am hoping that I was the first to apply for it today, and I suppose I can expect the next day or two will tell me how I fare.

 

[daugherh]

Most likely you were one of the first to apply for it, but keep in mind that vanity applications are like the lottery. Everyone who applies for it (including paper submissions) are all put into a pot and randomly picked. Doesn't matter who was first or last, just who gets the pick. I've fought many lotteries for my vanity. Either way, good luck.

 

[N2AL]

Most likely you were one of the first to apply for it, but keep in mind that vanity applications are like the lottery. Everyone who applies for it (including paper submissions) are all put into a pot and randomly picked. Doesn't matter who was first or last, just who gets the pick. I've fought many lotteries for my vanity. Either way, good luck.

Thanks for the insight! I had no idea the FCC pooled applicants and drew a name from the hat, so to speak. I thought it would depend on the date and time the application was received. I had planned to apply at 12:01 am EST but the FCC shut the site down until 2 am for updates. Hopefully I can fight this lottery and win. Thanks for the best wishes.

 

[AK9R]

As of this morning, you and three other guys are in competition for that callsign.

The FCC puts every valid application entered on the first available date into a pool and "randomly" picks from that pool. The waiting period now starts so that the FCC can be sure that an application mailed and postmarked on the 17th has time to reach them. As long as the application is postmarked on the 17th, it has just as much chance in the lottery as online applications submitted on the 17th.

 

[N2AL]

As of this morning, you and three other guys are in competition for that callsign.

The FCC puts every valid application entered on the first available date into a pool and "randomly" picks from that pool. The waiting period now starts so that the FCC can be sure that an application mailed and postmarked on the 17th has time to reach them. As long as the application is postmarked on the 17th, it has just as much chance in the lottery as online applications submitted on the 17th.

Excellent! Thanks for the update. I was reviewing AE7Q's Amateur Radio Query Tools and it shows multiple applicants "Competition" but one applicant caught my attention. KD2ELJ shows "Offlined by FCC". What does that mean?

I have attached a picture of what I saw.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160518/74ef4a7bbb78ef509334b1d370337477.jpg

 

[AK9R]

All we can tell is that KD2ELJ's application has been off-lined by the FCC for "Alert List Review". The FCC maintains a list of individuals whose license applications receive additional scrutiny. Sometimes this is due to a past history of criminal activity, but we really don't know the reason in this case. If KD2ELJ's application clears the review in time, his application for vanity callsign will go into the pool right along yours.

I know of a ham whose license renewal application has been off-lined for alert list review for over 6 years. There are rumors as to why, in this particular case, but the true result is a state of limbo that the FCC has yet to resolve.

 

[N2AL]

All we can tell is that KD2ELJ's application has been off-lined by the FCC for "Alert List Review". The FCC maintains a list of individuals whose license applications receive additional scrutiny. Sometimes this is due to a past history of criminal activity, but we really don't know the reason in this case. If KD2ELJ's application clears the review in time, his application for vanity callsign will go into the pool right along yours.

I know of a ham whose license renewal application has been off-lined for alert list review for over 6 years. There are rumors as to why, in this particular case, but the true result is a state of limbo that the FCC has yet to resolve.

Interesting to know. I imagine getting on that list may not be beneficial to your license. It will be interesting to see who gets picked in the lottery. I am thankful for all your help.

 

[K2RNI]

The W6WBJ has had a limbo license for almost 10 years now lol

 

[N2AL]

The W6WBJ has had a limbo license for almost 10 years now lol

Why has W6WBJ been in limbo for so long? That does not make sense.




Andrew | N2AL
www.n4awl.com

 

[N2AL]

Hey everyone! I have a question and a request for input regarding a vanity call sign.

Today, 05/17/2016, the call sign N2AL came available, after being canceled on 05/16/2014, when the licensee changed their call.

Viewing AE7Q's Amateur Radio Database Query Tools it shows the call is canceled and is now available. I submitted my application for this call sign today, but if you scroll down you can see two other stations who submitted an application for this call sign yesterday, 05/16/2016.

It is my understanding that operators have to wait two years, and one day, before they can submit an application for a vanity call license, if the call sign in question has been previously canceled.


My questions are these:

Is it correct that applications must wait two years and one day before filing for the application?

The stations who submitted applications for this call sign on 05/16/2016 prior to the two years and one day mark, what is the possibility one of those stations will receive the call, as both now show the status, "Pending Level 2"?




Andrew | N4AWL
N4AWL | Amateur Extra – November Four Alpha Whiskey Lima

Great news everyone! Today I received word the FCC approved my call sign application for N2AL! Now to go about changing my usernames for RR, and other sites lol! Thanks everyone for all of your input and advice with the call sign change request!




Andrew | N2AL
www.n4awl.com

 

[N4GIX]

Why has W6WBJ been in limbo for so long? That does not make sense.

It makes appears to make some sense if you take the time to look up his "record" with the FCC:
ULS Application - Vanity - 0002928684 - CROWELL, WILLIAM F - Administration#

However, having read all of the documents that are linked in this matter,
I do find it very, very strange that since the defendant's last filing to the ALJ dated 04/24/2008 that there has been absolute silence on the part of both the ALJ and the FCC. In fact, it appears on the surface that they jointly hope that this matter will eventually "age out" when the defendant dies.

 

[N2AL]

It makes appears to make some sense if you take the time to look up his "record" with the FCC:
ULS Application - Vanity - 0002928684 - CROWELL, WILLIAM F - Administration#

However, having read all of the documents that are linked in this matter,
I do find it very, very strange that since the defendant's last filing to the ALJ dated 04/24/2008 that there has been absolute silence on the part of both the ALJ and the FCC. In fact, it appears on the surface that they jointly hope that this matter will eventually "age out" when the defendant dies.

I read an article actually after I penned this reply, about the applicant. It sounds like the FCC properly took action against him. Acting like that is the reason the FCC comes down hard on violators, for good reason. One less rotten apple floating around the bands in my opinion.

I read the paperwork and it sounds as if the licensee has issues taking responsibility for his actions. I doubt he will receive his license renewal -it’s been nearly ten years already and it is still “pending”.

 

[n5ims]

I read an article actually after I penned this reply, about the applicant. It sounds like the FCC properly took action against him. Acting like that is the reason the FCC comes down hard on violators, for good reason. One less rotten apple floating around the bands in my opinion.

I read the paperwork and it sounds as if the licensee has issues taking responsibility for his actions. I doubt he will receive his license renewal -it’s been nearly ten years already and it is still “pending”.

Problem is, he probably still can still operate legally while his license is "pending". According to 97.21 (a) (3) (ii):

When the application has been received by the FCC on or before the license expiration date, the license operating authority is continued until the final disposition of the application.

 

[N2AL]

Problem is, he probably still can still operate legally while his license is "pending". According to 97.21 (a) (3) (ii):

Wow, thanks for bringing that to my attention, as I was unaware. Interesting the FCC has allowed his license to remain in a "pending" state.




Andrew | N2AL
www.n4awl.com

 

[N4GIX]

I read the paperwork and it sounds as if the licensee has issues taking responsibility for his actions. I doubt he will receive his license renewal -it’s been nearly ten years already and it is still “pending”.

I cannot disagree with you at all. He consistently replied just like many lawyers with layer upon layer of obfuscation. However, he did in fact raise some salient points which lend credence to his claim that Hollingsworth did in fact fail in his due diligence when preparing his case, and may have overreached in his attempt to gather supporting complaints.

Again, what is incomprehensible is the length of time this has languished unresolved. It's as though they have respectively painted themselves into corners and cannot find a way out.