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Author Topic: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)  (Read 877 times)

KC0W

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  So here we have a list of available 2x1 and 1x2 callsigns from May of 1997............All 8,000+ of them!!!

 https://web.archive.org/web/19970503042108/http://www.qrz.com/vanity.html


                                                            Tom KH0/KC0W
 
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K7MEM

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Re: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2021, 01:18:37 AM »

I obtained my vanity call sign in 1999. The list of available call signs was about the same as the list you linked to. The 1x2 and 2x1 call signs didn't impress me, so I chose a 1x3 instead.

If I now look up "K7" 1x2 call signs available, I get one. And that one is already applied for. There is one that comes available in about 2 weeks and I will bet that there are a lot of hams waiting to pounce. I guess to some, it's a game.

Earlier that year (1999), I upgraded to Extra and could see what was happening to the licensing requirements. It was obvious, at least to me, that the Morse requirements were going away. I could have waited, but wanted to upgrade in a system that I was familiar with. I knew that, if/when the Morse requirements were dropped, there would be a run on vanity call signs. So I went for the one I have now. It was easy then, but it cost $18.

Now that I have the call sign I want, I really don't care much about the available 1x2 or 2x1 call signs. I leave that to someone else to fret over. And, since there is no requirement to change my zone number, I can keep my current call sign as long as I want (I currently live in Michigan, "8").
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Martin - K7MEM
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N6XJP

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Re: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2021, 03:16:38 AM »

Interesting.  I guess we all do things for different reasons.  I switched to a 2x1 but didn’t like the way it flowed on CW.  So I went back to my originally assigned 1x3 when I made Tech.  Even though I’ve been an Extra since 1991 and CW only for 30 years, and lived in three zones, using the /7 has become a way of life since retirement. 
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N2EY

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Re: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2021, 04:10:13 AM »

My call was sequentially issued in 1977. It is not a vanity call. I earned the Extra in 1970 at the age of 16. Would have had the Extra a year earlier but for the old two year wait.

The 20 wpm code test was essentially optional after 1990 due to medical waivers.
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KC0W

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Re: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2021, 05:01:13 AM »

 I just found my own callsign on the list. I eyed getting it for almost two years before I applied for it. This was back in June of 1997. I didn't request any other callsigns other than KC0W on the application form. With 8,000+ Extra class callsigns for people to choose from I was 99% certain I was going to receive my first (and only) choice.

 

 Out of curiosity I kept an eye on all available 2x1 and 1x2 callsigns after they dropped the CW requirement & the floodgates opened. There continued to be tasty 2x1 & 1x2 callsigns available for quite some time. It all came to a screeching halt when QST started having articles walking the newly upgraded Extras thru on how to apply for 2x1 & 1x2 callsigns...........I haven't taken a gander recently at which 2x1 and 1x2 callsigns are available but the last time I did you could count the number available from all 10 call districts on on one hand. (excluding some US protectorates/territories)     

                                                                       Tom KH0/KC0W           
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KM1H

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Re: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2021, 09:53:04 AM »

My current call was sequentially issued around 85 as I wanted something shorter for CW contests and DX pileups, it worked so well I didnt bother looking for another.  I earned the Extra in 68 when it actually meant something thanks to Incentive Licensing and aced the code and written as I was working in the RF electronics environment since becoming a USN ET in 1961. I didnt consider it anything special as several others at the Boston FCC that day did the same thing so I dont keep bragging about it....

At 16 I was interested in girls and customizing a 49 Ford and later a 49 Olds which helped with the girl issue ;D 8)

Carl
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N2EY

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Re: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2021, 06:24:28 PM »

If it were up to me, the vanity call rules would be changed to the following:

1) Technicians and Novices could only get 2x3 calls as vanities.

2) Generals and Advanceds could get 2x3s, 1x3s and 2x2s as vanities.

3) Extras could get any style of call as a vanity.

4) However, anyone who currently holds a particular style of call would not have to give it up if it did not meet the requirements of 1) or 2).

5) Once a vanity call was issued, the new holder would have 90 days to decide whether to keep it or go back to their previous call. Once the 90 days was up, they'd have to keep the  call they chose for at least 3 years before they could get another.

6) There would be one exception to Rule  5): Family calls could be gotten at any time.

7) There would be no call lotteries.

Instead, if multiple applications were received for a particular call, it would go to the holder of the highest class license that qualified for it.

If two or more licensees with the same license class wanted the same call, it would go to the one who had held that class of license the longest.

The above would eliminate call hoarding and reward seniority.
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N4OI

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Re: For Anyone Wanting a 2x1 or 1x2 Callsign (guaranteed to make you cry)
« Reply #7 on: September 18, 2021, 07:12:22 AM »

Yes, interesting...  I noted that N4OU is now available...  about 15 years ago, I was chatting with another consultant at the bank...  Came to find out he was a ham and his call was ...  wait for it...  N4OU!  I mean...  just one trailing dah away from my beloved N4OI...   What are the chances!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IulcfUm-cUM

73
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