[ETSList] FCC CLARIFIES RENEWAL PROCEDURES FOR VANITY CALL SIGN HOLDERS

[Drew Moore]

==>FCC CLARIFIES RENEWAL PROCEDURES FOR VANITY CALL SIGN HOLDERS

With the renewal window about to open for the first Amateur Radio licenses
assigned vanity call signs in 1996, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau (WTB) has attempted to clarify filing procedures. The WTB says vanity
call sign holders whose licenses expire on or after June 4, 2006, must file
electronically or on paper via the Universal Licensing System (ULS)
<http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/> to renew their licenses. Amateur Radio
renewal applications may only be filed within 90 days of the license
expiration date.

"Licensees of stations assigned vanity call signs have the option of keeping
the vanity call sign or requesting that it be changed to a sequentially
assigned call sign," the WTB points out. Those opting to keep their vanity
call signs for the new 10-year license term must pay the current regulatory
fee, now $21.90, when renewing (the vanity call sign regulatory fee may
change in August or September). If the licensee no longer wants to keep a
vanity call sign, no fee is required, and the applicant should request a
sequentially assigned call sign instead.

Amateur Radio licensees holding vanity call signs granted prior to 1996 do
not have to pay a regulatory fee when renewing. This is because Congress did
not begin requiring the FCC to annually recover its regulatory costs until
1993. Additionally, such licensees are not specifically tagged as vanity
call sign holders in the ULS.

To renew electronically via the ULS, licensees should log into ULS License
Manager <http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/> Online Filing (click on "Log In")
using their FCC Registration Number (FRN) and Commission Registration System
(CORES) password. Anyone doing business with the FCC must supply an FRN on
any application.

To keep a vanity call sign, licensees should select "Renew" under the "Work
on this License" option. Fees for electronically filed applications may be
paid online or mailed to Federal Communications Commission, Regulatory Fees,
PO Box 358835, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5835.

Online filers choosing not to renew a vanity call sign should select the
"Systematic Call Sign Change" option from the "Work on this License" list.
To obtain a new call sign, licensees should answer "No" to the question
"Your license is eligible for renewal. Renew call sign (vanity call sign)?"
Doing this will result in the issuance of a renewed license bearing a
sequentially assigned call sign.

Licensees filing on paper must use FCC Form 605 (main form), and--if a fee
is required--Form 159 (remittance advice). Licensees wishing to keep their
vanity call signs should enter "Renew" under "Purpose" on Form 605 and enter
the present call sign in item 5. Manual filers choosing not to renew their
vanity call signs must file Form 605 (main form) Schedule D in order to
obtain a new systematic call sign. The "Purpose" on the main form must be
"Renewal/Modification," and the "Systematic Call Sign Change" question on
Schedule D must be answered "Yes."

If no FRN is provided on the main form, an FCC Form 160 (registration) is
also required for manual filing. All forms are available via the FCC Forms
page <http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html>.

For more information on how to renew an Amateur Radio vanity call sign,
visit the FCC Help & Support page <http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm> or
call the ULS Customer Support Hotline, 877-480-3201 (TTY 717-338-2824).

The ARRL handles routine non-vanity renewals for members free of charge. At
this time, it does not process renewal applications for post-1995 vanity
call sign holders, but ARRL plans to add that capability in the near future.