So you just passed the Tech license exam and your new call sign just appeared on the FCC ULS database.  Congratulations!

Permit'southward say you were assigned KG5ZXY, but that'south both hard to remember and hard to pronounce phonetically.  Or maybe you've been licensed for years but just don't like the call sign y'all have.

Either way you would really like something different; maybe a catchy one or a telephone call that has your initials or something shorter or easier to think.  Don't despair!  You can asking a specific phone call sign if information technology is bachelor, termed a vanity call.

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Vanity call signs typically include alphabetical characters of personal significance (due east.g., licensees initials, parts of names, hobbies, etc), or sometimes are just chosen because they are shorter calls, or sometimes they have double or triple indistinguishable characters (e.g., W1WWW).

Annotation: this information is valid for Usa hams.  Many other countries have vanity phone call programs just the details and rules volition be different.

Now at that place are limitations to call signs, of form.  This is a skilful fourth dimension to review our call sign variations topic where you lot can learn about valid prefixes, suffixes, formats, and quantity of characters.

It goes without saying that you cannot request a call that is already issued (for two years after expiration or death, in fact), so a call sign must be bachelor for starters.

Then there is the issue of privilege.  Here's where the Extra course license gets top priority considering they can cull any vacant, valid US call sign; one×iii and two×iii formats, and, more typically, the prized one×two, two×one or two×ii (outset with letter of the alphabet A), for which in that location is trigger-happy competition.

Advanced class licensees (legacy; no longer issued) can seek a 2×2 or ane×three telephone call sign (showtime with prefix North, K or West), or a ii×3 call sign (offset with prefix alphabetic character K or W).

General or Technician class licensees can seek a one×3 call sign (beginning with prefix N, K or W), or 2×iii phone call sign (beginning with prefix letter M or W).  Few 1×3 N calls are bachelor.

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Notation that you do not need to keep your regional number with a vanity call; any number from 0-9 may be selected.  This greatly expands the puddle of bachelor calls only past changing the number.  There are also some telephone call signs blocked off from vanity consignment (run into list below).

Most new Tech or Full general hams with 2×3 calls are likely to go for a more tidy 1×3, just if a particular 2×3 spells out something fun, memorable, or personal, become for it!

Application for a vanity call can exist done directly with the FCC through their ULS website.  You take to be logged in with your FRN number and countersign and so follow links that will be shown once you look at your own license.  In that location is still a snail mail option by submitting FCC Form 605, Main Form and Schedule D via post.

At the time of this writing there is no fee for requesting a new assigned or vanity call sign.  FCC processing take at least 18 days (patience required).  In one case the FCC assigns a new phone call your old i is invalid until reassigned.

Navigating the FCC ULS site may exist easy for most but it is a bit cryptic plus it requires a compatible web browser and Coffee.  For this reason some hams prefer to take a third party practise the piece of work for them.  The ARRL and W5YI offer processing of vanity call applications for less than $30.

From the FCC vanity call FAQ:  The following phone call signs are not available for assignment:

  1. KA2AA-KA9ZZ, KC4AAA-KC4AAF, KC4USA-KC4USZ, KG4AA-KG4ZZ, KC6AA-KC6ZZ, KL9KAA- KL9KHZ, KX6AA-KX6ZZ;
  2. Any telephone call sign having the messages SOS or QRA-QUZ as the suffix;
  3. Whatsoever phone call sign having the letters AM-AZ as the prefix (these prefixes are assigned to other countries by the ITU);
  4. Whatever ii-by-3 format call sign having the letter X as the outset letter of the suffix;
  5. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letters AF, KF, NF, or WF equally the prefix and the messages EMA as the suffix (U.Due south Government FEMA stations);
  6. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letters AA-AL as the prefix;
  7. Any two-by-3 format call sign having the letters NA-NZ as the prefix;
  8. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letters WC, WK, WM, WR, or WT as the prefix (Group 10 call signs);
  9. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the messages KP, NP or WP as the prefix and the numeral 0, half dozen, 7, eight or ix;
  10. Any two-past-2 format call sign having the messages KP, NP or WP every bit the prefix and the numeral 0, 6, 7, viii or ix;
  11. Any two-by-1 format phone call sign having the letters KP, NP or WP as the prefix and the numeral 0, vi, seven, viii or ix;
  12. Phone call signs having the single alphabetic character prefix (M, Northward or W), a single digit numeral 0, 1, 2, 3, iv, v, 6, 7, viii, nine and a single alphabetic character suffix are reserved for the special event telephone call sign system.

If you are seriously considering getting a vanity phone call sign, we strongly encourage y'all to read through all the detail presented below (helpful hints in item) to know what's involved and how to go about it.  Note that the FCC changed many of their web pages recently so some of the hyperlinks may no longer work well.  Also be advised that the VanityHQ site/service referenced in some links was shuttered several years back; no longer an option or resource.

Below are hyperlinks to good info on vanity call signs

ARRL

W5YI

Lookup bachelor calls  here   and   hither .

Helpful Hints