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Author Topic: vanity call sign  (Read 1482 times)

KE8MCR

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vanity call sign
« on: June 17, 2019, 07:12:02 PM »

Planning to pass my extra exam this Saturday. I am interested in a vanity call sign. My present sign is KE8MCR. I would like to have a 2x1 or 1x2 sign. May not be available or possible. How can I look into what is available? Is there and FCC website I can study? I'm not doing this to hide anything. I just want a shorter call sign.
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N9FB

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2019, 07:37:56 PM »

the site i find best for learning the ins and outs of applying for a vanity callsign is www.ae7q.com

in the upper left hand corner you will find a link for application notes as well as explanatory notes -- which provide very useful info.

if you use the above link and click on the 8 call region it will let you see what 1x2's and 2x1s are available and soon-to-become available with the number 8 (assuming you want a call with the number 8 ) -- http://www.ae7q.com/query/list/GenLicAvail.php?REGION=8

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"When you throw dirt, you lose ground."

K4EMF

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #2 on: June 18, 2019, 06:52:14 AM »

This is another site for looking up vanity call availability.

http://www.radioqth.net/vanity/available

I've used both to good effect
« Last Edit: June 18, 2019, 07:10:39 AM by K4EMF »
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K6CPO

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #3 on: June 18, 2019, 10:27:32 AM »

There is a block on the NCVEC Form 605 used by all the examining VECs that will let you opt for a new call sign when you take the Extra exam.  I don't know what it would yield in Region 8, but out here in California, we're getting 2X2 calls starting with the letter A.  "A" calls are reserved for Extra Class license holders only. 
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KE8MCR

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2019, 03:42:06 PM »

Thanks for all the guidance from everyone
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NB6Q

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2019, 09:23:15 AM »

My advice is to use this page:  http://www.ae7q.com/query/

The information, terminology, nomenclature and FCC process is overwhelming, exactly the same as some of the Extra exam preparation was when you first started it.  But as you navigate, read the color code explanations, etc., everything will become more clear.

I expect to get my choice this Saturday and I never had to enter a lottery for it.  Here is my expected call sign NB6Q:  http://www.ae7q.com/query/data/CallHistory.php?CALL=NB6Q

The first thing I did was populate my calendar with upcoming available call signs.  That turned out to be unnecessary for me because I am probably getting my first choice and I am in region 6 (California) which is very competitive.

Search region 8 (your region) here:  http://www.ae7q.com/query/list/GenLicAvail.php?REGION=8 and scroll down and look for GREEN calls.  There were 11 when I just looked.  That is a gold mine!

Click through on each and scroll to the bottom and check for the status.  If there is no GREEN Assignment status then apply for that call today before midnight EST and you will be queued up for competition.  If nobody else competes with you on that day you will get it by default.

I picked one at random http://www.ae7q.com/query/data/CallHistory.php?CALL=NX8U and it is available.  They are there ready to be gathered up.  You might ask why.  I had the same question.  The reason is multi-faceted.  Many people make multiple requests in preferred order and they get assigned a higher preference call so they are removed from competition.  Others are too early.  Others are insufficient class.  For whatever reason they are removed from competition and the call is available, waiting to be claimed.  Based on what I see you should get a call today with that many available.

Do not submit more than one request in a 24-hour period and risk being flagged as a multiple requester on the same day.  Bundle up your choices and put them on the list.

One crazy part of this is finding the FCC page to request a vanity call.  I can never find it when I'm looking for it.  If you go to the "My Licenses" page the "Vanity" link is on the far right side.  Hopefully, you can find this.  Once you find it just put in your call signs in preferred order.

Good luck.

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K7MEM

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2019, 03:38:51 PM »

Planning to pass my extra exam this Saturday. I am interested in a vanity call sign. My present sign is KE8MCR. I would like to have a 2x1 or 1x2 sign. May not be available or possible. How can I look into what is available? Is there and FCC website I can study? I'm not doing this to hide anything. I just want a shorter call sign.

The others have provided lots of information on getting a vanity call sign. I just want to say, don't overlook the 1x3 call signs. I obtained my call sign about 20 years ago, before they dropped the Morse tests, when I made Extra. At the time there were dozens and dozens of 1x2 and 2x1 call signs available. But I liked the 1x3 I have now the best.

My current call is easy to use on SSB and CW. I don't think I have ever had anyone get it wrong.
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Martin - K7MEM
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NB6Q

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2019, 03:48:16 PM »

Planning to pass my extra exam this Saturday. I am interested in a vanity call sign. My present sign is KE8MCR. I would like to have a 2x1 or 1x2 sign. May not be available or possible. How can I look into what is available? Is there and FCC website I can study? I'm not doing this to hide anything. I just want a shorter call sign.

The others have provided lots of information on getting a vanity call sign. I just want to say, don't overlook the 1x3 call signs. I obtained my call sign about 20 years ago, before they dropped the Morse tests, when I made Extra. At the time there were dozens and dozens of 1x2 and 2x1 call signs available. But I liked the 1x3 I have now the best.

My current call is easy to use on SSB and CW. I don't think I have ever had anyone get it wrong.


In your case you have your initials which is very nice.  Unfortunately, the 1x3's available that match your preferences, be it initials or some other personal shorthand are probably tougher to get than a generic 1x2 or 2x1.  I checked for all of my x3 suffixes and none were even close to expiration so I opted for the first available 1x2/2x1 I could get for my region.  BTW, I'm a new ham just starting out but I'm an old guy, too so I don't have years to wait to get a nice x3 suffix.
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K4EMF

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2019, 05:59:56 AM »

.....I just want to say, don't overlook the 1x3 call signs.....


I applied for my current call sign in case I didn't get the 1x2 I really wanted, which wasn't available when I passed my Extra.  It's infinitely better in regards to CW and phonetics to the sequential tongue twister I was originally issued.  The 1x2 I wanted did finally become available this past Monday.
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K7MEM

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2019, 02:02:12 PM »

The others have provided lots of information on getting a vanity call sign. I just want to say, don't overlook the 1x3 call signs. I obtained my call sign about 20 years ago, before they dropped the Morse tests, when I made Extra. At the time there were dozens and dozens of 1x2 and 2x1 call signs available. But I liked the 1x3 I have now the best.

My current call is easy to use on SSB and CW. I don't think I have ever had anyone get it wrong.


In your case you have your initials which is very nice.  Unfortunately, the 1x3's available that match your preferences, be it initials or some other personal shorthand are probably tougher to get than a generic 1x2 or 2x1.  I checked for all of my x3 suffixes and none were even close to expiration so I opted for the first available 1x2/2x1 I could get for my region.  BTW, I'm a new ham just starting out but I'm an old guy, too so I don't have years to wait to get a nice x3 suffix.

In my case, the initials was accidental. I had a dozen other 1x2 and 2x1 call signs picked out, when I happened on the one I have now. I just don't want you KE8MCR to miss out on a descent call sign.

You may have a bit of an issue because of your zone, "6". Most of the choice call signs are probably not available. But note, you are not restricted to zone "6". You can choose any zone, "0" to "9", you like. Some hams don't like the idea of choosing out of your zone, but it is done so much now, it really doesn't make any difference.

.....I just want to say, don't overlook the 1x3 call signs.....


I applied for my current call sign in case I didn't get the 1x2 I really wanted, which wasn't available when I passed my Extra.  It's infinitely better in regards to CW and phonetics to the sequential tongue twister I was originally issued.  The 1x2 I wanted did finally become available this past Monday.

Yes, I know what you mean. I have been through a few call signs, since I first got my license (1965). Prior to my current call sign, I was KB7EQS. That was a FCC pick, when I asked for a new call sign. But the one I liked the best was DA2EU. I was assigned that call sign while I was living in Germany. I only operated CW while there, and found it very easy to use.
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Martin - K7MEM
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K4EMF

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RE: vanity call sign
« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2019, 06:14:43 PM »

.....But note, you are not restricted to zone "6". You can choose any zone, "0" to "9", you like. Some hams don't like the idea of choosing out of your zone, but it is done so much now, it really doesn't make any difference.


I didn't know that.   
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