[DCART] FCC to revise, clarify rules for vanity call signs

[Don Carlson - KQ6FM]

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB035 
ARLB035 FCC Looks to Revise, Clarify Vanity Call Sign Rules 
 
ZCZC AG35 
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 35  ARLB035 
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  November 30, 2009 
To all radio amateurs 
 
SB QST ARL ARLB035 
ARLB035 FCC Looks to Revise, Clarify Vanity Call Sign Rules 
 
On Wednesday, November 25, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rule 
Making (NPRM) -- WT Docket No. 09-209 -- seeking to amend the 
Commission's Amateur Radio Service rules to clarify certain rules 
and codify existing procedures governing the vanity call sign 
system, as well as revise certain rules applicable to club stations. 
 
According to the FCC, almost 80,000 licensees have replaced their 
sequentially issued Amateur Radio call signs with a vanity call sign 
since the program began in 1996. When the program began, the 
Commission established what they called "the broad outlines" of the 
vanity call sign system, concluding that call signs generally should 
not be available for reassignment for two years following the death 
of a licensee, or expiration or termination of the license for that 
call sign. In doing so, the Commission made exceptions for former 
holders of the call sign, close relatives of a deceased former 
holder and club stations of which a deceased former holder was a 
member. 
 
The Commission did not, however, specify all of the procedures 
governing the vanity call sign system, but indicated that the 
procedures "would be set out in the Public Notices announcing 
'starting gates' for the groups receiving initial priority and that 
the procedures would be adjusted from gate to gate as experience 
dictated." The procedures announced in the Public Notices announcing 
the gates are still in effect, but they are not set forth in the 
Commission's Rules. 
 
The NPRM states that the FCC "now believe[s] that certain provisions 
should be codified in our rules, and others added, so that the 
vanity call sign system will be fair, equitable and transparent to 
all amateur service licensees. The Commission also decided in the 
Vanity Report and Order [issued in 1996] to resume issuing new club 
station licenses. We believe that certain rule changes to the club 
station licensing rules may be appropriate." 
 
Further information can be found on the web at, 
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/11/25/11220/?nc=1 . 
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