[OFARC] FW: ARLB039 Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule Changes

[Ralph (home)]

This sounds like a good rule change proposed by a ham operator.  
has anyone heard more about this?

73
Ralph

-----Original Message-----
From: ARRL Web site [mailto:memberlist at www.arrl.org] 
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 13:30
To: ke5hdf at sbcglobal.net
Subject: ARLB039 Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule
Changes

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB039
ARLB039 Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule Changes

ZCZC 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.
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/EX