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FAQ PageHow Do I Apply for a Vanity Call-Sign?
By Iley A. Pullen Jr., NØDUI, Colorado Springs, CO.
In trying to electronically apply for my vanity call-sign, I ran into a LOT of problems. After looking back, it really wasn't that difficult, after I got all the information that was needed. In trying to get the application filled out, I ran into problems mostly because ALL the information is not located in ONE central location. Although many of the sites contain the majority of the information needed to apply, NONE of them contain all the information, hence hours of frustration. In putting this FAQ together, I hope to make all the information available in one fell swoop, thereby reducing the number of places you will need to visit to accomplish what should be a very simply process. Once you are done with this page, the ONLY thing that may cause some frustration is FCC approving your application.
Note: This may NOT be a problem, if the majority of the April 15th, 2000, mountain of applications/modifications has been completed.
This page covers the steps needed to apply for a vanity call-sign electronically. If you are using the standard Form-610, then this page may provide some insight as to what is available for you, but will not tell you how to fill out the form.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
There is no way currently established to get this password through email or any other means. The ONLY way is to call them. In all my exploring, I never found this little tidbit located anywhere. I contacted the FCC and asked them what I was doing wrong and they let me know.
What is a vanity call sign?
A Vanity call sign is a special Amateur Radio call sign specifically chosen by a person who is currently an Amateur Radio licensee (similar in purpose to Vanity license plates on cars). Vanity call signs usually include alphabetical characters of personal significance (eg, licensees initials, parts of names, hobbies, etc), or sometimes are simply chosen because they are shorter calls, or sometimes they have double or triple duplicate characters (eg, W1WWW).
A Vanity call sign is a call sign that the licensee wants assigned to him/her by the FCC for use in place of his/her existing call sign (or for an Amateur Radio club, it is a call sign assigned to replace the existing FCC-assigned club license call sign).
A Vanity call sign can only be obtained in exchange (traded in) for an existing call. A new individual licensee or a new club cannot initially get a Vanity call sign as their first call sign.
The FCC charges an annual fee for the Vanity call sign (payable up front for the entire ten-year license term).
For persons who have no interest in a special call sign, the FCC will issue at no charge a systematically assigned call sign (next one up in their computer system, with the type {group} of call sign and call area number determined by the FCC computer based on the applicant's license class and license address).
Vanity call sign fees.
The FCC charges a fee to applicants seeking a Vanity call sign. The present annual fee (as of September 14, 1999) is $1.40 per year or $14 paid up front for the entire ten year Vanity call sign license grant term. Vanity applicants must currently expect to pay the fee at the beginning of each ten-year renewal term for their Vanity call sign.
The Vanity fee may be paid by bank draft/check, personal check, money order or credit card. For checks/bank drafts, the fee is made payable to "FCC".
Refunds. Applicants who submit an FCC Form 605 application but are not successful in obtaining a Vanity call sign with that application may seek a refund of the application fee, by writing to FCC, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325-7245. Applicants must write to FCC to obtain the refund. Be sure to include the Taxpayer ID Number (TIN) which was listed on the Form 605 application when seeking a refund.
What vanity call signs are available?
In order to determine what call signs are
available, go to Vanity HQs. A link will be provided at the end of the
explanation. Once you have arrived at Vanity HQs, you will need to find your call
sign. If you are looking for a call sign that is available now, you will need to
select a format under "Immediately Available Call Signs." If you are
looking to see if your favorite call sign will be available in the near future (up to two
years), click on a format under the "Soon-to-be-available Call Signs." The
format table is shown below. These are the restrictions, based upon the class of
your license.
| Novice: | Group "D" - 2x3 |
| Technician:
|
Group "D" - 2x3 |
| Group "C" - 1x3 | |
| Technician
Plus:
|
Group "D" - 2x3 |
| Group "C" - 1x3 | |
| General:
|
Group "D" - 2x3 |
| Group "C" - 1x3 | |
| Advanced:
|
Group "D" - 2x3 |
| Group "C" - 1x3 | |
| Group "B" - 2x2 [K, N or W] | |
| Extra:
|
Group "D" - 2x3 |
| Group "C" - 1x3 | |
| Group "B" - 2x2 | |
| Group "A" - 2x1, 1x2 |
There are two alternatives to finding a call sign. The first is to search by suffix, the other is to search by district. If searching by suffix, click [format] by suffix. Once this is selected, you will be presented with the alphabet. Click the letter corresponding to the first letter in the desired suffix. To further clarify, my call sign is NØDUI, the first letter in the suffix is the letter "D."
If you are unsure but would like something that corresponds to your district, click on [format] by district. If you find a call sign that you like, but it is RED, then the call sign has been requested by someone on their vanity call sign application. HINT: You can look up the call sign and see who requested it. You will also see what preference number it is. The FCC typically will grant the first request, unless someone else has requested first. Remember that this is a first-come first-serve basis. If it a second or third choice, you may want to put it first on your list. If they don't get it, you have a better chance of getting it. If the call sign is in the Immediately Available list and is not red, then no one (as of the time the information was posted) has requested it. It takes several days or even a week to update this information.To help with any questions about the tables seen on Vanity HQs web page, the following is provided:
Definition of Terms
|
Accessing ULS
Okay, now that you have your password and know what
vanity call signs are available, the next step is to contact ULS. In order to do
this, you MUST have a 128-bit encryption version of Netscape. The current
version, as of June 8, 2000, of Netscape is 4.73. Click the link below to download
the newest version of Netscape.
Okay, now that you have your password and know what vanity call signs are available, the next step is to contact ULS. In order to do this, you MUST have a 128-bit encryption version of Netscape. The current version, as of June 8, 2000, of Netscape is 4.73. Click the link below to download the newest version of Netscape.
Procedure 2
Note that the following procedure requires special precautions. Outdoors where there is
adequate ventilation and Free From sparks or flames, saturate the stain with charcoal
lighter fluid and massage gently. Blot excess off with a clean, dry cloth. Repeat this
procedure several times. Apply a liberal amount of liquid laundry detergent. Massage
gently, immerse in a pail of water and machine wash.
