Vanity callsign application help needed.

[James86004]

Hi All,

I want to get a vanity callsign, and I have a procedural question. When I start my online application, the first step is:

Applicant Questions
Fee Status
Is the applicant exempt from FCC application fees?
Is the applicant exempt from FCC regulatory fees?

I think from my research that the answer to the application fee question is yes, and the answer to the regulatory fee question is no, but I am not totally sure on this. So any direction would be appreciated.


Thanks,

James

[xtatik]

It's been too long since I went through this process, but all you will ever need to know is here:
http://www.arrl.org/vanity-call-sign-fees
http://www.arrl.org/applying-for-a-vanity-call

Even more specific info can be found in the embedded links on each page.

[1911]

It's been too long since I went through this process

Me too, but I did it all right there on the FCC pages. Can't remember what the difference is between application fees and regulatory fees, but remember that it only cost me about $12 IIRC.

[spikemd]

I just submitted my application today, but it is far from straight-forward. I actually thought I had completed the application two weeks ago and went back to the FCC site to check on the status. It still said pending so I clicked on it and I guess it wasn't completed. After it sent me off to make the payment on another site, I didn't see any definitive confirmation that the FCC knew I had paid.

I answered both those questions as NO, meaning I am NOT exempt and therefore must pay. It costs like $14 or something. I am actually going to call the FCC tomorrow to be sure my application is finally complete. If there phone service is as un-user-friendly as their website, I am in big trouble... The website and information on the website is horrendous from a usability perspective.

[1911]

... If there phone service is as un-user-friendly as their website, I am in big trouble... The website and information on the website is horrendous from a usability perspective.

Idea: we ought to get these same folks to run all our health care and administer our insurance!

Now the wait begins (for your call sign). Post it up when you get it.

[AxeAngel]

What call sign did you apply for? What are the limitations for the vanity callsigns?

-Sam

[James86004]

Thanks all. The process looks like it changed slightly within the last couple of years. Spikemd, you confirmed my fear that the process is obfuscated enough that I wish there was a step-by-step list of the way to fill out each form. I will have to make my own and post it here if I am successful.

Now, to come up with a list of alternate callsign choices in case I don't win the drawing for my first choice.

James
KF7FTX

[hochung]

James,

You have the General ticket right now. Have you considered going for Extra? Then you'd be allowed to go with the shorter 1x2 or 2x1 callsigns....


edit
never mind. I just checked the district 7 availability and it's looking pretty bad. no 1x2 calls available at the moment. LOL

[1911]

What are the limitations for the vanity callsigns?

Basically you just have to use a prefix and format (i.e. 2x3, 1x3, 2x2, etc.) that is allowable for whatever class of license you have. You can actually use any of the region numbers you want, even if you don't live in that region - though if you're ever going to want to make DX contacts particularly on the HF bands, it would be beneficial and a lot less confusing to others to have a region number that indicates where you actually operate from.

[James86004]

I took and passed the Extra exam a little over a week ago, hence my wanting a vanity callsign. It is funny, I never wanted one before, but as soon as I got home after the exam my wife suggested it and now I can't let it go.

My understanding is I am not limited to area 7, I can get any one for CONUS, but not the ones for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, etc.