Amateur Radio (HAM)
Callsign Format

Ever wondered why different callsigns have different letters in certain places, what the numbers mean, or why they can be 3 to 6 characters long? In this article we'll break down common callsign conventions.

You'll typically see a callsign start with 'N', 'W', or 'K'. Originally, callsigns issued to someone West of the Mississippi would start with 'K' and those East of the Mississippi with 'W'. And 'N' stood for novice. However this rule isn't followed as strictly now in the Amateur Radio world.

A callsign usually has one or two letters, then a number, then some more letters. The number of letters depends on what kind of callsign it is, and the numbers and some letters have significance too.

So now you understand the typical HAM callsign! But did you know that you can register a vanity callsign? A vanity callsign is a fancy custom callsign that you can pick! But you cant pick just anything. The FCC outlines the guidelines for vanity callsigns as follows (https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/amateur-call-sign-systems):

"The FCC offers amateur radio licensees the opportunity to request a specific call sign for a primary station and for a club station. A vanity call sign is selected by the FCC from a list of call signs requested by the station licensee or the club station license trustee. Military recreation stations are not eligible for a vanity call sign. To make the request for a vanity call sign, you can use either the Universal Licensing System.

Also refer to the many frequently asked questions about vanity call signs.

Obtaining Vanity Call Signs

There are up to three different request types for requesting vanity call signs, depending on whether the call sign is to apply to a primary or a club station. The requestor may list up to twenty-five call signs in order of preference. The exact prefix, numeral, and suffix must be given for each call sign. Requests stated in general terms such as, "Any call sign with my initials" or "Any call sign having the prefix (or suffix)______" will be dismissed. The first assignable call sign on the list for which the requestor is eligible will be shown on the license grant for the requestor's station and the original call sign will be vacated.

Objections to the assignment of call signs requested by another licensee or a club station trustee will not be entertained at the FCC. However, this does not hamper any party from asserting such rights as it may have under private law in some other forum. The FCC does not consider an individual to be a former holder where the call sign was originally obtained through bribery, fraud, favoritism or other improper means. A club station trustee of a club that has been assigned a vanity call sign is not eligible to apply for any additional vanity call signs for the club.

Note: You cannot receive a vanity call sign from a call sign group for which your operator class is not eligible. For example, if you are operator class T (technician), you can only receive call signs from groups C & D. If you request a call sign from groups A or B, your application will be dismissed by the Commission.

Call Sign Availability

A call sign is normally assignable two years following license expiration, surrender, revocation, set aside, cancellation, void ab initio, or death of the grantee. Where a vanity call sign for which the most recent recipient was granted pursuant to an exception to the two-year period, but the grantee was ineligible for the exception, is surrendered, cancelled, revoked or voided, the call sign is not assignable for 30 days following the date such action is taken, or for the period for which the call sign would not have been available to the vanity call sign system pursuant to Section 97.19(c)(2) or (3) but for the intervening grant to the ineligible applicant, whichever is later. Refer to the Sequential Call Sign System for how call signs are sequentially assigned and the grouping and geographic region attributes of each call sign.

The following call signs are not available for assignment:

1. KA2AA-KA9ZZ, KC4AAA-KC4AAF, KC4USA-KC4USZ, KG4AA-KG4ZZ, KC6AA-KC6ZZ, KL9KAA- KL9KHZ, KX6AA-KX6ZZ;

2. Any call sign having the letters SOS or QRA-QUZ as the suffix;

3. Any call sign having the letters AM-AZ as the prefix (these prefixes are assigned to other countries by the ITU);

4. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letter X as the first letter of the suffix;

5. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letters AF, KF, NF, or WF as the prefix and the letters EMA as the suffix (U.S Government FEMA stations);

6. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letters AA-AL as the prefix;

7. Any 2-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 X call signs);

9. Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letters KP, NP or WP as the prefix and the numeral 0, 6, 7, 8 or 9;

10. Any 2-by-2 format call sign having the letters KP, NP or WP as the prefix and the numeral 0, 6, 7, 8 or 9;

11. Any 2-by-1 format call sign having the letters KP, NP or WP as the prefix and the numeral 0, 6, 7, 8 or 9;

12. Call signs having the single letter prefix (K, N or W), a single digit numeral 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and a single letter suffix are reserved for the special event call sign system.

General Rules

• You must hold an unexpired amateur operator/primary station license grant of the proper operator class, as described below, to request a vanity call sign for your primary station.

• To request a vanity call sign for a club station, you must also hold an unexpired club station license grant listing you as the license trustee.

• Your name and mailing address as shown on your current license grant must be correct.

• If your license grant has expired you must first renew the license. After the renewal of your license is granted, you may file a vanity call sign request. You can change your name or address at the time of your vanity call sign request.

• The call sign you are requesting may already be assigned. Refer to the Universal Licensing System License Search for verification.

• The license of the former holder now deceased must show a status of expired or cancelled in the licensee database. See Section 97.31(a). Requests for cancellation of a deceased Amateur licensee must be made in writing. A signed request for license cancellation must be submitted along with either of the following supporting information:

  • Copy of a dated obituary that also includes date of death.
    NOTE: The entire obituary must be attached to the request. A web site link to the obituary is not sufficient.

  • Copy of the death certificate 

• Request can be submitted online at https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/available-support-services. Click on "Submit a help request" and complete the form and attach the required documentation.

In addition, the Commission may cancel a call sign if it becomes aware of the grantee's death through other means. No action will be taken during the last thirty days of the post-expiration grace period on a request to cancel a call sign due to the grantee's death.

The information for cancellation of a call sign must be submitted prior to filing the vanity application."