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 at,
https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1004220986407/Petition%20.pdf .

'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) at, https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/ . Comments are
due within 30 days of the October 26 posting date.