Amateur Radio Callsigns Explained - Ham Radio Q&A

Prospective hams and even new amateur radio operators experience a bit of confusion when it comes to call signs. There seems to be an endless variety and variability‚ and for some‚ they just don't make any sense at all. But call signs are vital and once you are licensed they become your on air identity.
Amateur Radio Call Sign System: www.fcc.gov/am...
Vanity Call Sign Program: www.fcc.gov/wi...
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[@roberts3942]

Excellent video on call signs. I got my Technician's license in Nov 2019 and within a week applied for my deceased father's call sign. Pleased that the FCC does this at no cost.

[@JrGoonior]

I've had my Tech license since 2002, when my uncle died in 2017, I applied for his callsign and was granted. He had his since the early 70's and I really wanted to keep it in the family. 73's... Formerly KC9BUC, now WB9LIY.

[@thJune]

Quick question for you (well it might be a bit longer to answer if you have the time). My grandfather was a huge amateur radio guy and had his call sign since 1938. He was big into the amateur radio stuff all throughout his life and even up to his passing was an active member in the community. Honestly, I didn’t know much about all of it and the community, but recently I bought a very old receiver at a garage sale and tinkered with it during lockdown. It was fun and kinda kicked off a bit of an interest in the hobby. It also triggered a FLOOD of memories of my grandfathers basement full of old equipment and even researching his call sign online (to my surprise, he was in a few magazines in the 50’s - and my mom and the family never even knew about it!). To that extent, he passed away in 2008, but apparently had the call sign thru 2018 and they never canceled the license. After some thinking and talking with my mom, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t want his legacy to die along with that call sign. I’m not anything when it comes to am radio, nor ham radio stuff, but I’m interested in obtaining his old call sign just for legacy sake. Can you tell me what I need to do to make that happen? I see there’s a bunch of licenses and whatnot involved and am willing to obtain them as needed, I just don’t know where to start. Thanks a ton in advance! I sincerely appreciate any and all help you could lend me.

[@roberts3942]

@@thJune To obtain your grandfather's call sign (assuming it is still available), you will need to pass a Technician's License exam. Then, you can apply for your grandfather's call sign. Start with ARRL.org to find out about how to get your license.

[@thJune]

@@roberts3942 thanks Rob! I sincerely appreciate it!

[@renedperez]

I just received my call sign today! KN6PQC, 73 ya'll.

[@Elodea]

When I was first poking around in the hobby in the early 1960's, it was explained that the shorter calls were issued to higher classes as a "reward." Since CW was very popular (and knowledge of code was mandatory) the lower classed calls had more characters to require operators to pound out more characters and improve their "hand" with code. As they advanced in skills, the calls became "shorter" as an incentive and reward for improving. KD4VEG

[@Farley__]

Great information! I always wondered how they were generated! Thanks again!

[@raymondmartin6737]

I was WV2ZPD as a Novice in 1962, WA2ZPD as a Technician in 1963, WB7EGN in 1976 in Phoenix, AZ, WB1BTO in 1977 in Stamford, CT, in 1977, later in the year, back in NY, I again was WA2ZPD, because it was before the new call sign system started in 1978, General Class, still FCC exam, in 1979, Advanced in 1994, Extra in 1995, and W2CH, vanity call in 1997, until today. Also, V25CH, in 2004, while operating in Antigua on vacation.

[@kb5elv]

Raymond Martin Thanks for the clarification on when the callsign issuance procedures changed, I was never clear on whether it was '77 or '78 when it all shook out.

[@DOCDEVOE699]

in 1962 I got my novice ticket as WNØDEQ and a year later got my ticket as WAØDEQ,,, and eventually let my ticket expire, now I am 71 years old and because of bad record keeping back then, by the FCC and whom ever else was keeping records,,, I can find no record anywhere that my license actually existed,,, I have talked to several people that told me I was not telling the truth because they could find no record either,,, my question is,,,, does anyone have any ideas how or where or who I can talk too , to get a copy of my old license ,,,, I might even take the test again ,,, and hoping that I could get that old call sign again if it has not been re issued,

[@va3ngc]

I never realized the US system was so complicated. Here in Canada, all call signs are vanity signs. We are limited to 2x3 or 2x2 callsigns because Canada does not have any complete run of a letter sequence (i.e., we don't own all the C's, V's or X's for example). 2x2 calls are only available to amateurs that have been licensed for 10 years or longer. We also don't have all these different classes of licences. Just two - Basic and Advanced. You can get full access to all the amateur bands with just the Basic qualification, so long as you get at least 80% on the exam. Otherwise you need the Advanced. The only real limitation with Basic is the amount of power you are allowed. The names we use, give you an idea of the skill level of the operator, where as for the US, the terms technician and general (in particular) don't intuitively map to the skill level.

[@JxH]

"Here in Canada, all call signs are vanity signs." Not exactly a correct statement, unless you include the word "recently". Way back when (e.g. 1970s), they were often handed out in alphabetical order. The DOC examiner going down the line reading out the suffixes and pointing to each of the successful candidates. That's how my callsign was assigned and I still retain it. Famously, one local old timer, recently a SK, speaking on 2m (everyone heard it) said, "Don't listen to them; they've got their initials as their callsign." It was comedy gold.

[@id_billn7ghg554]

Yep.. My first was Novice.. KN5MPJ.. Later it was WB6PBQ, later N6GHG.. Now N7GHG

[@chrisblaase2700]

I got my Novice in April 1981 and was given KA9KWM. This was years before the VE program was created. I think the FCC simply went to KA prefixes after exhausting all WD sequential calls. At that time were also issuing N prefix 1x3 call signs to Technician and General Class operators because the K prefix 1x3’s has all been assigned. In those days any Ham who held a General Class or higher license could administer a 5 word per minute Morse Code test to a prospective Ham oand once the code test was passed, the licensed Ham signed off verification on FCC Form 610 and sent it to FCC HQ in Gettysburg PA. The FCC then mailed a written test to the licensed Ham, who then acted as proctor while the prospective Ham took the written test. The test was sent back to the FCC and if the person passed, they were granted a Novice Class license. In order to upgrade, we had to schedule an appointment with the FCC, either at the Call Area Field Office, or every few months an examiner would come to a central location somewhere in the call area. I went up through the ranks through Tech, General, Advanced and finally upgraded to Extra in 1985, when the 20 WPM code requirement was still in place. I put in for a call sign change in 1986, long before the vanity program, and was assigned NV9Z, which I still hold today. 73

[@DvorTerrier]

About vanity call signs: We all are different. If somebody became an extra-class operator but decided to keep his 2x3 call sign -- fine, whatever floats his boat. To me, though, a 1x2 call sign, especially if it starts with a W, has a timeless, classic look, it's A BEAUTY, and I want it -- to feel good after I've spent countless hours studying for the extra exam; it's like hunting DX, finally getting your DXCC award -- you want it to look great and you want it to be on your wall! It's your achievement! It's a hobby, and we do it to feel good, right? Some say "They are dead people's call signs"; well, I respect those people -- they loved to do what I love to do. A call sign is not a 1991 Ford Taurus that has been in 7 accidents and smells like a dump. When somebody hears your vanity call sign, they type it in the logging program on PC and what they see is YOUR name, your address, your picture,... not some other ham who is dead. There are other reasons to get a short call sign; for example, it's a big advantage in a contest, especially CW.

[@Burritoswithfritos]

Clicked in the video because the thumbnail had the license from Ashland WI I grew up across the bay in Washburn. Great video.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Great place, we vacation up around the Chequamegon bay a couple times a year. Usually head off to La Pointe for some island time.

[@felixmeyer7757]

thanks for this video best 73 from Felix HB9ABX

[@aviationnationhd3760]

1993, no code tech issued 1x3 N, expired smd years later retested and issued 2x3 KC, vanity request, got old N number back

[@JoseDeJesusVTHokieJD]

Great video! Thanks so much for the well put information. I am WRMY975 (GMRS) but soon, hope to be technician licensed in HAM. I will let you know what I end up with.

[@kmh752]

Just got my license at age 60. My wife says my call sign is Kurt Owns 6 Big Fat Rhinos. 😂

[@BradSnyder1]

Great explanation and history. Thanks for sharing!

[@w8haallthingshamradio149]

Thanks for this information! The whole Call Sign structuring is a bit confusing and you helped explain how it works a bit better. Thank you! Also love the J-Pole! Ordered a second one last week! Works perfect... Simple! 73's - N1UI

[@xxSk8ing4christxx]

HIS EYES... HE STARES INTO YOUR SOUL

[@klasandersson7522]

Sounds fairly straight forward, very much like in Sweden! 73 de sm5zeh

[@larryjohnson1966]

Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. Just wished I had known this before I got my vanity callsign when I got my General Licnese. I have decided to upgrade to an Extra when all this pandemic stuff is over and hope to make my callsign easier yet again. (KI5FQZ) Vanity KI5IBO

[@captainjjz7141]

Theres online exams you can take now due to the pandemic. Go onto hamstudy website and go to sessions. Most common one doing online exams is W5YI. Good luck! :)

[@thedriver1970]

Hey there from Illinois, my original call sign was N9QDO issued back in 1991 just out of high school and I now am after requesting a call sign change KC9QIO

[@kb9oak749]

Good info, 73's!

[@alexanderkrings3445]

In Germany its very easy, we have DA-DR. Edit: while writing the post.. its not THAT easy.. DE is reserved for SWLs, DI is for experimental stations (non ham-radio), DN is for learner calls - every licensed op can get a DN call that is registered to him/her and is only to be used by an unlicensed student operator where the callsign owner has to be present at the station. DO is for the novices (who get extra privileges in the US when visiting) that are allowed on 160-80-15-10m and 144/430MHz + some other higher bands. 100W max. DP0 and DP1 is for "exterritorial" stations that are not located in Germany. The only active calls i know of are DP1POL and DP0GVN (Georg Von Neumeyer research station in Antarctica) as well as DP0ISS, one of the official callsigns on the International Space Station. DP2-9, DQ, DR are special calls for commemorations, club stations, contest calls (always officially a club station). So if you work DP5X for example, its neither in space or Antarctica, its in Germany. These are never personal calls. Also 2x1 calls are never personal calls here. Those fall under the same category. Aaaaand to complete it, officially we also have Y2-Y9, adopted from the former GDR. Those are never issued in with one exception. During the WRTC (World Radio Team Championship) 2018 there were Y8´s used, all 2x1 like Y89A or Y86Z. All other callsigns are Class A (highest class) with some exceptions like the use of DB0 for repeaters and so on but that goes too far. There is no regional meaning in the callsigns, so DL1ABC might be the neighbor of DB9XYZ. So there is no point in saying "I worked a DL6" instead of just DL like it is with the regional calls in the US.. We dont have to renew our personal callsigns and licenses, a big plus in my mind. I can already see me missing to renew my US call.. Thats it for now ;-) 73 de DD5ZZ / KD5ZZ

[@the1spyderryder]

My name is COY my call is AC0Y... LOL

[@K4SRF]

Good information. '73 / Steve / K4SRF

[@stephenrichendefer8782]

Interesting explanation. but if I'm not mistaken the 2x3 calls starting with KA were in place prior to VE testing. I got licensed in 1981 as a novice with my original call of KA3IWW. I kept that call sign when I upgraded to General class in 1984 and at that time we were still testing at FCC offices. I'm not sure just when the VE system started.

[@mikethetuner]

You are correct: the KA prefix was implemented in 1978. The VE program (through the ARRL anyway) began in the fall of 1984--I became a VE that November. Like you, I well remember going to "Charlie's House," i.e., before the FCC, to take General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra. Those were the days...

[@chrisblaase2700]

I got my Tech and General by testing in front of an FCC examiner and got my Advanced and Extra by testing in front of a VE (all before the code requirement was dropped).

[@nealbeach4947]

My Elmer/neighbor administered my test in 1980. I became KA8LQP

[@vrb1960]

I have a 1x3 call , NØDPR, I was required to pass a code test to become a novice and also to upgrade to general..I’m not sure that’s what you said in your explanation on call signs?

[@mefedler]

“N” call signs were issued to Technicians upgrading from Novice before code free Technician class existed.

[@ApartmentKing66]

I started as what was then called a "Tech Plus" because I DID pass the code, but there were no more N signs left, so I was stuck with a Novice call sign as a Tech Plus operator.

[@pb7379-j2k]

InvestorGuy66 I tried for tech plus, but failed the tech part so they gave me an old school novice :)

[@josephtotter7484]

Tech and general. Not just novice to tech.

[@Genii69]

In 1977 I got my novice and had a WD4 call. I upgraded to tech in early 78 and they asked if I wanted a new N call (1x3). I said sure and got N4BIK which I'm really happy with. When they were telling me about the N calls they mentioned that they were old Navy calls that had been retired. A friend of mine that had got his novice at the same time as I did, passed his code but not the technical test. That meant he had to wait until the next testing session to retake his technical exam. When he did, he passed, got a new N call and became a general. Since back then, the written test was the same for tech as it was for general, I was a tech because I still had the 5 words per minute code. Sam, my friend had the same written test but got his 13 words per minute for the general. I later upgraded to extra (with the 20 words per minute) but kept my 1x3 N call. By the way, back then, you had to wait until the FCC was coming to your town (or drive a long distance) to take the exam. The only test another ham could give you then was for novice...

[@hankgerow4810]

From what I understand prior to the early 70s, The “N” prefix was assigned exclusively for use by the United States Navy and Coast Guard but when the "K" and "W" ran out they started assigning the "N" prifix to technician class holders. I still hold my original call from the early 90's at that time the "N" was issued to both code and no code technicians. 73 Harry N8YTV

[@daveengstrom9250]

Call signs should be something like: Happy, Dopey, Grumpy, Sleepy, etc etc.

[@JxH]

1:55 Yes but... When the DX station requests that you repeat your prefix, they want the whole 'KB9' ("KILO BRAVO NINER"). Leave out the Region "9" and you'll likely cause them annoyance.

[@kb5elv]

This is great, though somewhat inaccurate, with definitely inaccurate speculations. First, yes, the country was broken into districts in the early days, but originally, there was no 0 call area, and boundaries were slightly different. For instance, Pennsylvania, or at least part of it, was in call district 8 (reference KDKA's original amateur call, which I think was 8XK.) Call areas were remapped after WW2, when the 0 area was defined. You are correct that 2x3 calls beginning with W were issued as W and K calls were exhausted, though it’s unclear to me how that was decided, as issuance does not appear to have been sequential, as somtimes you’d see a newly issued W or K 1x3 in the midst of a bunch of 2x3's, perhaps when a licensee moved. Fun fact: up until the changes around 1977-197h, one was required to have a callsign reflecting the station location. Thus, an operator was allowed to have a secondary station license if s/he spent significant time in another location, think Barry Goldwater having K7UGA in Arizona and a WA3 call while in DC. The system we use today was implemented in 1977 or 1978 give or take, I don’t know the exact date…sorry about that. BTW, WC was issued, not as a standard amateur callsign prefix, but specifically to FEMA stations. I believe, prior to this 1977'ish change. Essentially, callsigns would be issued sequentially. Block A for Amateur Extra calls would be 1x2 calls, as well as 2x2 calls in the AA-AK sequence. Block B was for Advanced class, and Amateur Extra when Block A was depleted, and consisted of 2x2 calls with the exception of AA-AK sequence. AL 2x2's, and AH 2x2's, are special cases, and went to block A for Amateur Extra class in Alaska and the Pacific, including Hawaii, respectively. Block C went to Technician and General, and of course also to when blocks A and B were depleted. Also includes 2x2's with H, L, or P second-letter prefixes for the Pacific, Alaska, and Atlantic territories respectively. Finally, block D was all 2x3 calls, with some exceptions, the above mentioned H, L, and P prefixes going as stated before. Also, WC for RACES, WM for military club stations, WR was for repeater stations (that went away, but still not really issued), and some others. KC4AAA-KC4AAF and KC4USA-KC4USZ went to Antarctica. Nearly forgot. Ka 2x2's went to military personnel in Japan. Right. So block B started sequential issuance fron NxAAA, and block D began with KaxAAA. Block B began with KB-xAA, except in district 1, which got the KA’S. This predated the VE program by about 7 years, so there’s absolutely no connection. There’s also no connection to the codeless Tech that was started in 1991. Final fun fact: the vanity program began in 1996, but there was a brief time before the 1977 changes that allowed extras to choose their calls. Now….if you got through all that, congrats! :-) Vy 73, de KB5ELV (since 1987)

[@kb5elv]

I forgot one other exception. 2x3 calls with suffixes beginning with X are not for Amateur stations. Those are experimental licenses. For example, the tests around 495 KHZ before the472 KHZ band became official.

[@jjsemperfi]

Passed my Tech last Tue. Hopefully it doesn't take 2 years for the FCC to issue my callsign with the current issues ongoing.

[@alexanderkrings3445]

Congrats and welcome to the greatest hobby! Passed my german test in 2011 and it took them over 6 weeks to issue me a callsign.. and cost me around 200€. And guess what, we didnt even have corona or any other excuse back then. - Did my US extra in 2013 in germany and it took them 2 or 3 days (!) to get me a callsign.. and it was 14$ or something like that. That point definitely goes to the USA. Did you get your call by now?

[@jjsemperfi]

@@alexanderkrings3445 Thanks! That's a long wait for sure! Still waiting on my Call. My VE contacted me today and said the ARRL office hasn't even seen my application yet. Today is 2 weeks. I'll keep playing the waiting game.

[@alexanderkrings3445]

@@jjsemperfi Sorry to hear that, they are usually lightning fast from what i experienced and heard from others. Its just these times. Btw, i wonder how you took the test, online? Or alone with 3 VE´s, each in yelling distance? Over here everything is cancelled as it is all very "official" with no VE system and very unflexible of course. We wont see any online tests for sure..

[@jjsemperfi]

@@alexanderkrings3445 So I got in contact with a VE down where I work and they set up a testing session for me. It was a paper test. They were extremely nice and helpful. We kept our distance the best we could and it worked out well.

[@dasy2k1]

Wow UK is so different, I'm 1x3 but the digit denotes the license class. Not region I'm M7DSW which is a Foundation class prefix (equivalent to tech although we get more bands but less power than US techs) I'm also MM7DSW MW7DSW MI7DSW MD7DSW MJ7DSW or MU7DSW if I happen to travel about the UK, Say I decide to activate Mt Snowden (in Wales) for SOTA I would operate as MW7DSW/P ( the W is manditory the /p isn't) If you get any UK callsign as G# M# prefix and can't find them on QRZ try dropping the # as they may be away from home.... Intermediate licence holders have to use E for England so they are 2E0abc 2W0abc etc but that's only intermediate licence holders

[@Old_Foxy_Grandpa]

Back in the 1960's when I moved from Arizona to California, I went from 7 land to 6 land. I had to give up my W7 call and I was assigned a WA6 call. Now it's really confusing. I'm now back in Arizona but I still have my WA6 call.

[@josephtotter7484]

I got my novice in summer 1976 and was issued WN4UJY. At that time when you upgraded if that was no WA prefix you got that. If there was a WA prefix you got WB. WC you mention was for civil defense calls WD was the next in line and they were short lived. Think incentive licensing started after WARC 77. IE KAXAAA NXAAA KAXAA AND AAXA were issued. In 1977 I was automagically changed from WN4UJY to WA4UJY. No idea why other than get rid on WN calls ? We moved overseas and when we came back in 1979 I heard the new callsigns as I remember. Wound up with a KA8 novice cuz my dad filled out the form to change my call. So I cycled through the calls as I upgraded N8HOH KE8OK WG8D. as soon as I could get WA4UJY Back I did. When vanity calls first came back. One last bit o trivia. Extras are one time could get vanity calls. Like in the 60s or 70s. Knew folks with 1x2 calls with thier initials.

[@johng7rwf419]

Excellent and well explained. Why does something so fundamentally simple become a complicated nightmare? I guess that's government for you. Much the same here in the UK. Thank you. J

[@arthurpeterson1010]

Good job and thank you. I still have my call from 1987 kb7fxj but now live in Alaska.

[@misteraon]

I don’t believe that the 1X3 N callsigns were associated with just Tech No Codes. I originally got licensed as a novice (KA3ZRB) in 1991with 5 WPM code. In 1992 I upgraded to what they referred to as a Tech Plus since I had code. I was issued a 1X3 N callsign N3MBH. Not long after that my father took the Tech No Code and got a 1X3 N call as well (N3PAA). Today I’ve since upgraded to Extra class but still have my 1992 N 1X3 callsign.

[@thewatcher5271]

After Watching A Few Of Your Videos, I Subscribed & Bought That Battery Because You Liked It So Much. Any Love For 11 Meter Sideband Callsigns? Maybe What Not To Do, Thanks.

[@w1lex848]

Good stuff. Relatively new ham here and find your stuff very informative. Love to get me a 1x2 someday.

[@dwightstewart7181]

In essence, the callsigns mean absolutely nothing today. You can't make assumptions (region, license class, etc) based on them. Each is just the callsign of the individual you're talking to, nothing more. My "whiskey" vanity callsign (now over 20-years old) is a 1x3, with a region I've never actually lived in.

[@polarbear5464]

What if i transmitt from my different native country? SHould I modify my callsign? Thanks.

[@woodsman132]

I tested spring of 1979 by appointment with the fcc no vec got the call KA8FUF now W8RIC.

[@johnwest7993]

My first call was a 2X2. It has a zero and an oh, making it hard to identify when typed, and it uses some of the longest CW characters, slowing down CW contesting. But I still have it. It's me, and I'm not particularly vain.

[@Sanjuk0522]

I have taken online exam. Received CSCE. I have FRN number. Do i need to apply for call sign or will i be assigned one automatically. If so how?

[@Drekkag]

Aa-al 2x2 are also extra exclusive. You need to do more homework on this before putting out a video. Saying 1x3 was only used for no code tech is wrong. My dad n0oyt was tech plus. More errors were noted but had to point these out as they are most obvious

[@stephenwilliams5201]

Had a elmer. He died. I under stand a 2 year wating period. And also you could pettetion for that call getting clearance from his famly.+FCC. Another frend .(alive )up grades. How long do you wait. if you pettetion for his? On a hand off?

[@roberthopkins8089]

This is one place 11 mtrs kicks ass over ham radio... 2 devision usa.. If you move state no problem just tell folks your in washington or virginia.. When i hear a call on 11 i know where its from... On the ham bands get the book out... Great video well done for tackling it.. Not for the faint of heart

[@DOCDEVOE699]

in 1962 I got my novice ticket as WNØDEQ and a year later got my ticket as WAØDEQ,,, and eventually let my ticket expire, now I am 71 years old and because of bad record keeping back then, by the FCC and whom ever else was keeping records,,, I can find no record anywhere that my license actually existed,,, I have talked to several people that told me I was not telling the truth because they could find no record either,,, my question is,,,, does anyone have any ideas how or where or who I can talk too , to get a copy of my old license ,,,, I might even take the test again ,,, and hoping that I could get that old call sign again if it has not been re issued,

[@Harriet_Tubgirl]

Just passed my extra a few hours ago. I had the option to request a new call sign so I did. I’m assuming it will be a 2x2 but I’m not sure. Do you know?

[@jjrneptune]

KI5HSH, that’s my assigned callsign and I can’t tell you how many people mishear that. Certainly trying to get a higher grade license for a shorter vanity.

[@reallybadaim118]

New sub. Excellent content. Not sure I really like the vanity system. I like it that call signs were like regrettable tattoos. You're kinda stuck with it.

[@martyyoung598]

Where did you get the information that the N prefix was associated with the dropping of the CW requirement for Technician?

[@JosephAnthonyJosefius]

I'm in Oklahoma and hope I can take my test when I'm ready, I haven't seen any updates from the local clubs :(

[@mekkler]

The FCC and various ham organizations (ARRL for example) are currently working on accurate, fair, secure methods of online testing. Coming soon, no doubt.

[@CarnivoreRonin]

I took my exam in Stillwater OK back in September of last year. They are a really nice bunch of people. KI5GSZ

[@TheMrDrMs]

You can test remotely if you want. GLAARG was a great group I tested with for General. GL

[@vintagetransistorRadio.Radio.h]

Thankss

[@jameslane8364]

How does bicycles work out for you in Lee's Summit don't forget about New York City to ham

[@cbb3062]

I don't like the fact that randoms ask for your call sign like everyone, like I don't have a problem with the government knowing my info but some dude on the other end come on there should be some level of privacy allowed

[@JxH]

Factoid: Perhaps because radio and airplanes were developing at about the same time, the radio station callsign and aircraft registration numbers allocations to each country have a lot of similarities.

[@HNXMedia]

AWESOME video! This kind of history is always fascinating to me. Thanks for making this one!

[@n6hpx]

I remember when the FCC change one callsign to KC6, my brother got one and when he went CQ had instant replies. The KC6 at the time was the Caroline Islands.

[@thegailen]

I have they Motorola speaker too. That is the best comms speaker I've heard.

[@chuckandgailperry2405]

Great idea! Thanks for the info! KI7YNA

[@scottabeers]

Hey Michael! Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. I've been a ham for about 30 years. Although I had a pretty good understanding of the basics, I definitely learned more about the call sign system. Scott N1KMX

[@francismcclaughry3794]

if I'm on the most hams don't get my sign but if I put it there verbally most under stand. it.

[@wb2dx717]

no need for a prefix chart if you can use QRZ . i started out as a no code tec 25 years ago upgraded that to tec with code then general with the mandatory 13 wpm cw . and advanced a year after that .and now the advanced class no longer exists . perhaps one day the fcc shall grandfather us in to extra class

[@tracieh215]

My late grandfather was a ham operator probably in the 1950s, and I believe he got his license in NJ. How can I find out what his call sign was? Would it be reassigned?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The Internet Archive has old call books digitized. You can search there: archive.org/details/callbook. Once you find the callsign, a quick check on qrz.com will tell you if it is active or not.

[@JohnDoe-zg6fn]

I just got my license today and I was issued a 2x2 but I am a tech. How did I get that?

[@francismcclaughry3794]

if I want hams to understand my call I put it out verbally and them say it in kb9 form.

[@donnacampian6610]

Hi, I was licensed in about 1984. I have left to one side even talking on my radios at all. I had a lot of things I was going through so therefore I lost interest. But, now, I would like to at least start using my Kenwood TH-28A once again, but first I have to get new batteries for it and not sure if these batteries are available but i will soon find out. My call sign is N6JSQ. My question is, I am not sure if my license has expired and not sure now how to find out. If I could get some information I sure would appreciate it. I would love to get back out there to talk some here and there. Thank you and hope to hear from you. Donna Campian N6JSQ

[@touche9239]

Hi Donna, the online FCC database shows you are good through April 2023. wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=715403

[@BowWowPewPewCQ]

Can you describe the dash numbers found after callsigns. Found mostly in digital coms, e.g APRS. Are they arbitrary or is there a standard.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The numbers after a callsign, commonly found in digital modes like APRS or Packet, are called SSIDs or Secondary Station Identifiers. These are used to describe what kind of station is running on the APRS network, like home, mobile, digipeater, etc. They also allow more than one station with the same callsign to run on the APRS network. I did a video a few years back that digs deeper into SSIDs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i33HdICGqrZrpbs

[@SaintJohnYT]

So, for the prefix, the second letter, what does that represent? For example, mine starts with KN6, I get that the K is Western US, the 6 is Region, but what about the N? What does the N stand for?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

In a 2x3 callsign, the second letter in the prefix doesn't have any particular significance, other than it is incremented to the next letter when the pool of AAA - ZZZ suffixes are assigned. For example, the KN6 prefix will turn to KO6 after all the callsigns from KN6AAA to KN6ZZZ have been assigned.

[@tibadoe]

Thanks - breaks it down nicely.

[@cchalfantusa]

Thank you this is really a helpful resource. As a technician can one request a vanity of WR9 followed by 3 letters? I’m unclear on the second letter potential. I am in region 9. Just looking at options to be similar to my GMRS callsign or go a different direction with initials or such.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes you can. Technicians can have a 2x3 callsign, so something WR9... would be permissible.

[@tubeum]

I had a csll sign over ten years ago how do I look up what it was Tks

[@Dragon1165]

Why can't I get 1 call sign and it be good for everything? I have a GMRS and when I get my HAM it'll be another to use instead of being the same. Still through the FCC.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Good question. The FCC has determined that they want separate callsigns, in different formats, for every radio service.

[@gabrielM1111]

Forget about it.. I will stick with 11 meter.. Uncensored.. Easy peasy nice and easy. 10-4

[@jacobkapitein9349]

My call PD7URK PD is novice my QTH s is Urk PD7URK

[@1958johndeere620]

I wish the region was fixed. I realize people can move, and don't want to change, but for vanities they give any region to anywhere. I got my 2by1 as an extra vanity and stuck with one land. Its where I live, and did not even look at other available region short calls.

[@andy2E0JIU]

Very well explained thankyou

[@budokai6706]

Thank you! Great info sir.

[@zembalu]

Very interesting! I am from Austria/Europe. It is a small country with about 8 mio inhabitants and about 6.000 hams. So, the prefix for the whole of Austria ist OE, that is enough. We also have a region code, from 1 to 9, which comes in handy, because Austria consists of 9 federal states. 0 is reserved for "extraterritorial" stations: an Austrian astronaut at the ISS had OE0 :-). The suffix is 3 characters long, only very old callsigns are shorter. The callsigns are assigned directly by the government, and are given for a stationary facility and your person. I do not know, what happens, if you got more than one station within your region, but the suffixes are unique for the whole country. So, if you have OE1ABC assigned, and another station in another region, say 3, you additionally get OE3ABC assigned for that station, both bound to your person. The authorities may inspect your gear once a year in regular terms. Thus, you may choose your suffix, but within a range of "free" ones. The next rule regards your license: Austria is a CEPT-country, so the maximum allowed transmitting power is 200 W, or 400 W, if you apply for it, and can show, that you did not make trouble with the 200 W in the past. But there are club stations and the like, assigned personally to the responsitivity of an operator, which may transmit with up to 1.000 W. The suffixes of these callsigns all start with an X. That is practical, because all repeater's callsigns start with the X. Not enough: For special occasions you can apply for a transient callsign for a special occasion. OE1YOUTH20 could be valid. I am obliged to add /P, /A, or /M to my callsign, if I am somewhat mobile: /Portable, /Air, /Maritime. OK, /P will be sufficient. A good practice is to prefix your callsign with the "country prefix", if you are at least anywhere in Europe: SV/OE1ABC/M gives a hint to your QTH - you are sailing in Greece in the Aegean Sea :-). Europe is a cluster of abut 30 countries, and not each one has a unique country prefix, but it is relatively easy to spot the country. vy 73 de oe1llc

[@DrDiff952]

I was asigned KD9PUZ, so the next licensee after me would get KD9PVA?

[@billdolan4320]

My original Novice call sign started with WV2..(circa 1959) as novices were identified back then....Shortly there after novices received WN call signs and when you up graded to either Technician, Extra or General class - you received a WA call sign. The V or N being replaced by an "A'

[@dmbolender]

Hello K4OHF here. This was dad's callsign and, when he passed, a friend mentioned I could get dad's callsign if I filled out the correct paperwork and passed the Technician's exam. Having done both, I was wondering how old this call is, where it came from (Boston?) and if there is any other information out there regarding K4OHF. Thank you.

[@fred1701dd]

Thank you for this information.. my father had.. W1ZYC and my uncle had K1DVL ow i can understand it...

[@applejacks971]

I applied for my vanity call the day after my assigned call was listed on the FCC site. I now have K0 and my initials :) Now my call sign license plate on my car is only $10/year beings its an 'Amateur Radio' plate instead of the $40/yr 'personalized plate', wohoo!

[@jonteske4267]

Excellent presentation. Being licensed first in 1956 as a 13 year old I've been through a bunch of these. I was also first licensed in Wisconsin (Manitowoc). Like many I was first a Novice KN9CAH and six months later after taking the General test in Milwaukee it became K9CAH. I held a General class then when it granted all privileges. I moved to Maryland after graduation from the UW in 1964. While 2x3 calls were being issue to new hams in the 3rd call area, apparently if you ever held a 1x3 you kept it and I became W3DRV. At the end of the 1960s incentive licensing came in and I passed, a month apart, the now obsolete Advanced class and then the Extra class. In ca. 1977, the FCC to give a further incentive to upgrade to Extra they permitted Extras with 20 years of ham time (which I just made) and then in batches by some dates of issue of the Extra the option of a 1X2 callsign.. to the extent they were not held by anyone else. That was when I got my W3JT call (my initials.) The first to be able to get a call that way were those who got the Extra Class when it meant nothing in extra privileges. Those were VERY few in number. Up to that time anyone with a 1x2 callsign (as we joked) got that call the day after Marconi did. There was only one in my hometown, we was licensed before WW I. I was in the second batch, about the first 2-3 years of incentive licensing. I was at the USPS office at midnight of the magic date. BTW both of my previous callsigns have been reissued. One more anomaly. I also held (and still reserved for my use), the callsign KG4TJ (KG4JT had been used) for an operations when I was at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1995 when I was down there on a Defense Dept. work assignment.. A KG4 prefix with a two letter suffix is reserved for Gitmo (The Gitmo Ham club, through me, requested the FCC not issue KG4 prefixes, but they ignored that. The FCC said a two letter suffix was enough to identify a call as being from Gitmo. Issuing ham tickets there was an "other duty as assigned" to some NCO down there. A technician working for me down there greased the skids for me to get that call. Getting a 1x2 call when I did was considered to be "for merit" not a "vanity" and I do not pay the vanity fee.

[@ScottSmith_RiverOfCode]

I tested directly into getting a 5 wpm Technician license in early 1986 and received N3ERZ. The cutoff of for when the no-code was mid-1987 as I recall. I have subsequently received my grandfathers callsign of K3PSO sometime after he became a silent key and also have processed the paper upgrade to General I was overdue for from when the code requirement was dropped.

[@N4EJM]

I didn’t like how KN4SJK rolled off the tongue so I tried to get N, K or W4JEM which is my initials. So I checked on EJM which was my dad’s and N4EJM was available. I choose 2 others but they granted me my first choice. 73

[@vampolascott36]

My original call: KB0KYV was difficult for ops to copy when working DX on SSB. It was also a handful to send on CW. I was happy to find out that the vanity callsign program is now free! So last month, I got my new vanity callsign: K0SAV (SAV are my initials). It's easier to send on CW and it's easier for ops to copy on SSB in weak signal conditions. I'm happy!

[@n9mxq]

Thought about a vanity, or 1x2 when I got extra.. But, as far as I can find, I'm the only one who has ever held my call.. That's vanity enough for me. N9MXQ

[@Brewdog2001]

I started life as KE8MMQ which wasn't too bad to say on the local net check-in, but I decided I wanted one that was more related to my line of work. Since "Plug and Play" was the big marketing phrase in computers at the time, and I happen to work in the IT field, my call is now W8PNP. I think once I upgrade to General, and later Extra, that I will keep what I have.

[@JoeR203]

When you said some call signs might be hard to say, I immediately thought of Japan and the letter "L". :-)

[@JoeR203]

@BC Bob I was going to say "R", but thought about them pronouncing "Hello" as "Herro".

[@DvorTerrier]

I remember I had a QSO with a ham from Japan, and I got one of the letters of his call sign wrong; he was correcting me, "Not Rondon, not Rondon, LOMEO! LOMEO!!!" OK, I got it; Romeo! When children are born, they can hear the difference between all sounds very well; in about 4 months of listening to their mothers, certain sounds ("letters") -- depending on the specific language -- fall off the wagon. A 4-month old child in Japan will stop hearing the difference between L and R, etc. That's how our brain works; it becomes a little different in different countries. imagine a situation when somebody tells you that the letter Щ is pronounced "Bee", and the letter Ж is pronounced "Bee"; you, like, "There is NO DIFFERENCE!", and the dude goes "There is a HUMONGOUS difference!", and you go "Are you KIDDING me? Get the f**k outa here!"))

[@davidpiper3652]

Interesting. I was first licensed in the UK in 1973 with G8IAX, a no code VHF only license. I passed the morse code test in 1981 and then waited months for a specific callsign. For reasons, I don't recall I wanted consecutive letters in the alphabet. I am G4LMN. I got this a bit wrong as it does not roll off the tongue very well on 'phone but it's nice in CW. I also choose to use an abbreviation of my middle name on the air, again because it's easier in CW, so if you have ever worked me you'll know me as Ron.

[@BobO-th3fq]

After logging into the FCC site for vanity call signs, it said that Technician class vanity call signs must come from group C or D (which is described nowhere). I have a Technician license KI5YJU and was thinking about a vanity call sign. Does their group C or D mean that my application for a vanity call sign would be C5XXX or D5XXX or some variation of the XXX digits??

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

As a Technician, you have the option to request a vanity callsign that has either a 1x3 or a 2x3 format. The prefix would start with the either the letters K, N, or W and the suffix could be any combination of letters that is available in the pool or unused combinations.

[@BobO-th3fq]

Thank you for the help.

[@dinodouche]

Can you just make up call signs

[@karensullivan5438]

Kilo-bravo-niner-victor-bravo-Romeo. Cool

[@PCMrX.9961]

Excellent demonstration my call is WW5D I picked it up when I lived in TEXAS 5 call and now live N. Phoenix, ARIZONA 7 call. I will always keep this call 73 Have a great day.

[@seanencarnacion6706]

My brother callsign is KH2PT technician class, and General class, then when he passed advance class, it was change to AH2DJ, then he passed the Extra class license, due to no availabke 2x1 and 1x2 callsign, he remained AH2DJ 2x2 call. Its hard to get a 2x1 or 1x2 in Guam island since all the 2x1 or 1x2 is taken during that time.

[@ai4ijoel]

In the late 1970s, I had an Amateur Extra class license with my original 2x3 callsign, then I became eligible for a 2x2, and then a 2x1.

[@billtheslink4541]

Hello and thanks for the wonderful video, but there is something I know that is not quite right. I was first license somewhere between 90 and 91 or 92. I was in the first or second testing of no code technicians but I was a Tech Plus, as I had previously passed novice Theory and that day I passed five words per minute code along with technician Theory. I was issued the One X three call N8PEF. My Elmer was N8KKR and had been licensed many years and there were many techs in my club who had been hams for many years and had entered traditionaly as novices. When I upgraded to general I requested a new and it was horrible for CW so I got N8PEF back through the vanity program. I went inactive after just a few years and have no idea what went on then. I am in the process of putting together a new station now and upgrading to extra and want a W prefix call. 73