Just curious...why does an application for a vanity call take so long. I worked for NYS and I don't even we were that slow LOL
Just curious...why does an application for a vanity call take so long. I worked for NYS and I don't even we were that slow LOL
The FCC processing time for Vanity applications is 18 days. If you have not heard anything from FCC in 25 days, you should contact the FCC regarding your application. You can call FCC weekdays toll free at 888-225-5322 (8am to 5pm EST).
They didn't charge me anything at all...no fees. I was kinda amazed at thatWhen I applied in 2012 it took exactly the time they said it would. You can track it on the FCC website. I kept checking. After 17 days it was still in progress. Just after midnight on the 18th day it popped up. Literally nothing at 2359 and then at 0000 it was there. Part of the wait is a statutory period during which they wait for your check to clear. Paid with a credit card? No matter you still wait.
A friend just had to renew his 12 year old daughter's passport. Even with "expedited service" it took 6 weeks.
Wow! That's incredible.Passports are also taking an excessively long time, as much as 4 1/2 - 5 months, so it's not just the FCC
The FCC has said in the past that the 18-day waiting period is to allow applications by mail time to reach the FCC. I don't know how many vanity callsign applications the FCC receives by mail. My gut feeling is that it's a pretty small number.This sounds like a long time but that's to allow an even chance for folks that may apply in different ways to have the requested call selected by the lottery.
Don't feel bad. I'm an old fart myself....1991, and was checking the mailbox ten times a day for my license. Having worked for the State of New York, I should be used to foot dragging bureaucracy LOLThe FCC has said in the past that the 18-day waiting period is to allow applications by mail time to reach the FCC. I don't know how many vanity callsign applications the FCC receives by mail. My gut feeling is that it's a pretty small number.
Since I'm an old fart, I'll interject here that it took 6 weeks for my first license to arrive by mail after I took the test. No online filing and callsign look-up system back in the dark ages. I had to drive 9 miles in raw March weather to get to my Post Office Box to get my license.
I have found that the AE7Q.com website is a good tool for tracking amateur radio applications. Dean has spent a lot of time figuring out how to mine the FCC ULS. The user interface is utilitarian, but there's some interesting info on his site.