When changing my callsign, I didn’t think about everything I would have to address when doing so. The website domains would have to be purchased, the graphics and various site variables would have to be updated. My local clubs would have to be contacted for updated membership ID’s and whatnot. E-mail addresses would have to be modifed. New QSL cards would have to be ordered. Digital mode software would have to be updated. A new QRZ profile would have to be created. The ARRL would have to be updated to keep my subscription to QST coming. My tongue would have to be trained to speak my new call in my sleep…

…and a new license would have to be signed and hung on the wall. OK, so it’s not all that bad.

The FCC completed my vanity call sign request today. I am now N3QO.

I submitted a new application to the FCC for a vanity call. So far they’re predicting N3QO as my assignment. I also resubmitted for W3EC and K3EC just in case the existing applications are dismissed.

Today I checked the FCC ULS to find out the status of my 1×2 vanity callsign application and found that it was dismissed. An online PDF of the dismissal letter was on their site for reference stating the callsigns we unavailable. Upon further checking 2 of the 5 I had requested were indeed available via their database. After a quick call to Gettysburg I got the clarification…

The 1st available callsign I had requested was available as of the following day. The N4MC database showed the availability date as of 4/17 which was incorrect. It was actually available on 4/18 instead. The other callsign I had requested was indeed still available but here is where it was a little confusing.

On 4/17 is when I passed my Extra class exam. With CSCE in hand, I filed the application for the vanity call that night. The FCC ULS didn’t show me in as Extra until 4/21. The woman on the phone stated they assign based on the application date. So as of 4/17 I was indeed an insufficient class for a 1×2 callsign.

Bummer. Consider it a $12 lesson and something to blog about.

While researching information on vanity callsigns, I discovered two rather interesting web tools.

AE7Q – Amateur Extra Query Tools
This site provides callsign availability and vanity application status. It makes predictions as to application status and estimates process time. Rather cool website, let’s you in on the actual process.

N4MC Vanity HQ
N4MC has a number of very worth while tools regarding Vanity callsign availability and one tool in particular, Ham Locator maps hams in your area based on zip code. Very cool tool indeed!

Passed my Extra upgrade exam this evening with only 2 wrong out of 50. Can’t complain about that. I studied for about a week on HamTestOnline.com. I can’t say enough good things about the site. I also filed for a 1×2 vanity callsign on the FCC website. I’ll be curious to see how the process occurs being that the ULS hasn’t processed my upgrade yet.

..and while I’m posting like a mad fool tonight…

According to the Amateur Radio Newsline (#1646), an expansion of the 40 meter band is merely 30 days away. This expansion comes in the form of forcing shortwave broadcast stations to move out of the 7100 to 7200khz band space and reclaiming it for the Amatuer band.

At my QTH, I’m getting slammed by China Public Radio and other broadcasters on the band making my general class permissions almost useless most times of the day. I have mixed feelings about the forced move. I’m happy that hopefully the band will clear up where I’ll actually be able to use it, but at the same time it’s important to preserve the shortwave space. There should be plenty of spectrum available now that the BBC has ceased their shortwave broadcasting operations a few years back.

..I’ve passed my general class exam and the FCC ULS database still does not reflect my license upgrade. This “slant AG”, “slope AG” or “temporary AG” is getting a little old. Especially when you’re trying to get through a QSO pileup.

Hopefully I’ll be all official in the coming days.