Vanity Callsign Question

[JDKelley]

All -
Question: Can anyone request a vanity callsign? When I finally take my test, if it's still available, I've got one I want to request - it's my initials, reversed and normal order (making it easy to remember. . .) But I saw some rules about selecting callsigns specifically somewhere, and it was reserved to clubs and "in memoriam" type of things.

It still shows as available, and I'd like to request it when I go in to take my test (and get it over with all at once.)

Sparks

 

[RaleighGuy]

You have to submit an application to the FCC and pay the fee, if available they will issue it to you.

Applying for a Vanity Call

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

www.arrl.org

 

[JDKelley]

You have to submit an application to the FCC and pay the fee, if available they will issue it to you.

Applying for a Vanity Call

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

www.arrl.org

Yah, I know I have to pay the fee when I take the test - but I can put in for the "vanity" callsign when I take the test, and likely get it if it's not being used? Is this something the VEC would be able to help me with?

 

[RaleighGuy]

Yah, I know I have to pay the fee when I take the test - but I can put in for the "vanity" callsign when I take the test, and likely get it if it's not being used? Is this something the VEC would be able to help me with?

No you apply after you get a license and you pay another fee.

 

[nd5y]

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

 

[W9WSS]

Sure way to see if a vanity callsign is available is to go to ae7q.com - this site not only shows if a vanity callsign is available but many other features.

 

[JDKelley]

No you apply after you get a license and you pay another fee.

Any idea how much this "other fee" is? FCC isn't tellin', ARRL links are recursive. FCC is where I saw those funky rules about clubs or "in memoriam" call signs, also - which leads to my confusion . . .

 

[vagrant]

I believe the fees have changed and they're now $35, even if you don't get the callsign you want. To make some sense of that, there were/are some "problem" hams that kept changing their callsign. I think it used to be free, or a low cost, not too long ago, so they abused it. Anyways, over a decade ago I took my Technician, then the General test a week later and within the same month I submitted and received my vanity call. Also, I believe when you get approved for your vanity, your 10 year period resets for your license. I could be wrong. I just don't keep up on that other than paying my renewal. You'll find out when approved and look at your stuff on the FCC website.

1. Pass the test and get whatever sequential district callsign assigned to you. ( You may like it )
2. Submit an application with the callsign you want and the $35 fee. ( You can add other callsigns in case you do not get your first choice )
3. If everything works out, you'll get the callsign you want, or the next one on the list, or the next one, or the next one...

 

[JDKelley]

The one I want has been available since 2010 - hasn't been sequentially assigned yet. I gotta get in and take that test. . .

 

[GlobalNorth]

I may be not understanding your comment here: "The one I want has been available since 2010 - hasn't been sequentially assigned yet."

If a callsign has not been assigned yet, I do not believe you can "jump ahead" and get it assigned to you. If the callsign was issued previously and you meet all the other requirements, you can apply for it.

 

[JDKelley]

It was previously assigned, license is expired, and it has not been in issue since 2010. Last holder was in Watsonville, which is not that far from me in the first place.

So it was previously assigned, it's just in the pool and has not been reassigned as of yet. I'd like to get it before that happens., although I think I've got a little space. . .

 

[bolo928]

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)

Extra class licensees can choose virtually any vacant but valid US call sign.

When your vanity call is issued your are getting/paying for a new license.

 

[nd5y]

If a callsign has not been assigned yet, I do not believe you can "jump ahead" and get it assigned to you. If the callsign was issued previously and you meet all the other requirements, you can apply for it.

If the callsign is unissued and currently available you can apply for it. It doesn't make any difference if its one that could be sequentially issued to a new licensee in the future. It just has to be a valid US callsign for your license class.

You can apply for anything you want. They will just reject anything that's not valid or not available.

 

[K4EET]

I gotta get in and take that test. . .

Most definitely 👍🏻. How close do you think you are for that? As for the call you are looking at, is it a 1x2, 2x2, 1x3, 2x3, etc.? Some formats are only available to folks with a higher class license. I hope that the callsign that you want becomes yours one day. 73, Dave K4EET

 

[AK9R]

Since the FCC is the issuer of the callsigns, they are the authority on how the system works. Go the web page listed below. Read the "About" tab. Then click on the "Sequential Call Sign System" tab and read it. Then click on the "Vanity Call Signs" tab and read it.

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

When you apply for your first amateur radio license (up to $15 testing fee collected at the test session plus $35 application fee collected separately by the FCC), you will be issued a callsign using the Sequential Call Sign System:

• If you complete the testing requirements for an Amateur Extra license, you will be issued a Group A callsign (1x2, 2x1, or 2x2 starting with AA-AL). Since all of the 1x2 and 2x1 callsigns have been issued, the FCC is working through the 2x2 callsigns starting with AA-AL.
• If you complete the testing requirements for a General or Technician license, you'll be issued a Group C (1x3 starting with K, N, or W) callsign. But, since all of the Group C callsigns have been issued, you'll get a Group D callsign (2x3 starting with K or W).

As previously mentioned, the AE7Q.com website is a good place to check for where the FCC is in issuing sequential callsigns. On the left site of the page, under the "Callsign region" heading, click on the button corresponding to your callsign region (listed on the FCC's website). For example, in the 6th callsign region, AK6UP was the last Group A callsign issued and KO6OEK was the last Group D callsign issued.

When applying for a vanity callsign, you can apply for a callsign from any group that you are eligible for. IOW, if you hold a Technician license, you can apply for any Group C or Group D callsign. If you hold a General license, you can apply for any Group C or Group D callsign. If you hold an Amateur Extra license, you can apply for any Group A, Group B, Group C, or Group D callsign.

If you don't already have an amateur radio license, I don't think there's any way to go from nothing to a vanity callsign. I think you have to take the test, wait for the FCC to issue a sequential callsign, then apply for a vanity callsign. The FCC will charge an additional application fee ($35).

 

[JDKelley]

Most definitely 👍🏻. How close do you think you are for that? As for the call you are looking at, is it a 1x2, 2x2, 1x3, 2x3, etc.? Some formats are only available to folks with a higher class license. I hope that the callsign that you want becomes yours one day. 73, Dave K4EET

I'm consistently scoring in the 90s on the practise tests at qrz, so it's just a matter of getting there (truck's down - rod bearing. We live in a flat, and they'd get shirty about me dropping the oil sump on the truck, no matter how many precautions I take about keeping oil off the ground. We plan on moving back into a house soon. With a garage. . .)

It's a 2x3 Technician call sign, and it's the Technician test I'm ready to take. That's where I'll probably stay - I doubt I'll get into HF much, I'd probably have to build the gear, and I'd need to be able to erect a tower - even a short one - to get an antenna up. . .

 

[K4EET]

I'm consistently scoring in the 90s on the practise tests

That is fantastic!

it's the Technician test I'm ready to take. That's where I'll probably stay

Keep your options open. The General license will open a broad swath of radio spectrum with many different things that you can do.

I doubt I'll get into HF much, I'd probably have to build the gear, and I'd need to be able to erect a tower - even a short one - to get an antenna up. . .

Second-hand equipment is readily available in the QRZ sales area for good prices. With a Hamstick vertical antenna sitting on top of a tripod in the back yard and an inexpensive QRP SSB transceiver (QRP Labs and others transceivers can be found for about $100), you would be able to talk to the world (DX). A friend of mine has that setup and has a lot of fun with it. Remember, never say never...

73, Dave K4EET

 

[JDKelley]

That is fantastic!

Keep your options open. The General license will open a broad swath of radio spectrum with many different things that you can do.

Second-hand equipment is readily available in the QRZ sales area for good prices. With a Hamstick vertical antenna sitting on top of a tripod in the back yard and an inexpensive QRP SSB transceiver (QRP Labs and others transceivers can be found for about $100), you would be able to talk to the world (DX). A friend of mine has that setup and has a lot of fun with it. Remember, never say never...

73, Dave K4EET

Then let me say, "it's not likely." I've got books to write, and that keeps me pretty busy as it is. Either way, I'd have to get out of living in a flat first - while it's the fourth floor and I get some altitude (more if I go battery-powered and go to the sixth floor of the carpark. . .) I can't really set up anything "permanent" until we're back in a house. The discone is information for later, unless I get it and stow it for later. . .)

I'd have to find another callsign if I go General or Extra, tho.

 

[n0xvz]

I'd have to find another callsign if I go General or Extra, tho.

You don't have to. You can, but you're not required to change. I've had my callsign for over 30 years. And it took me about that long to decide to upgrade to General.

 

[AK9R]

I'd have to find another callsign if I go General or Extra, tho.

Something to keep in mind.

If you pass the test for Technician, you'll be issued a callsign from the sequential callsign system. If you then go back to take the test for General, be very careful of one item on the application. There will be a check box on the form, whether paper or online, that reads "Change my station call sign systematically". If you select that check box, the FCC will issue you a new callsign when they process the upgrade application. The catch is that both Technicians and Generals are eligible for Group C callsigns. Since Group C is exhausted, Techs and Generals are issued Group D callsigns.

I think you can see how this plays out. You get your Technician license and are issued a 2x3 callsign starting with K. You then later go pass the test for General and you are issued a different 2x3 callsign starting with K. I have known people who did not want a callsign change, but they got one because of that check box on the form.