I had a chuckle when I read this. It’s really a shame to have to implement a rule like this, but I guess this situation could have been anticipated when the FCC dropped the vanity callsign fee. I’m not sure that requiring a vanity callsign holder to keep it for the term of the license is really necessary–I think that requiring it to be held for two years or five years would be sufficient. I also think that the rules governing how a call gets returned to the pool could be changed so that if someone gives up a vanity callsign it would be returned immediately to the pool….Dan
SB QST @ ARL $ARLB039
ARLB039 Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule Changes
ZCZC AG39
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 39 ARLB039
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT October 27, 2016
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB039
ARLB039 Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule Changes
The FCC is inviting comments on a Petition for Rule Making (RM-11775) from a Nevada radio amateur that seeks changes to the rules governing the Amateur Radio Vanity Call Sign Program. Christopher LaRue, W4ADL, of North Las Vegas, is proposing that any licensee obtaining a vanity call sign be required to keep it for the full license term. LaRue contends in his petition that excessive and frequent vanity call sign filings are hampering the ability of other qualified licensees to obtain vanity call signs in one of the more desirable 1 x 2 or 2 x 1 formats. LaRue said that since the FCC dropped the fee to file for a vanity call sign, some applicants are taking advantage by regularly obtaining new call signs, thereby keeping them out of circulation.
The petition can be found on the web in PDF format. “Some are changing call signs almost monthly, just to keep the newer code-free Extra class operators from obtaining a shorter call sign,” he said in his petition. “I even saw an older operator that said he does it all the time and has not even owned a radio in over 6 years. When I looked him up, he has had 16 different [call signs] in 18 months.”
LaRue said his proposed minor rule change would require any licensee applying for and obtaining an Amateur Radio vanity call sign “be required to keep it for the duration of the license, which is currently 10 years.”
He said this would “alleviate a lot of the stress on the ULS system and manpower requirements” at the FCC. “It will also keep inactive amateurs from changing call signs regularly, thereby tying up call signs for 2 years after dismissal of said call.”
Interested parties may comment using the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Comments are due within 30 days of the October 26 posting date.
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