[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 1994)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 558-560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 5, 1994]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 97

[PR Docket No. 93-305; FCC 93-545]

 

Vanity Call Sign System

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rules.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes to authorize the use of vanity call signs 
in the amateur service. The proposed rules are necessary so that 
amateur operators can request specific call signs with letters that 
signify something of importance to them such as their initials or their 
nicknames. This proposal would give better service to members of the 
amateur community because it would allow them to choose their own calls 
signs provided the call sign chosen is unassigned and within the 
framework of the license class held.

DATES: Comments are due on or before March 7, 1994. Reply comments are 
due on or before April 7, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maurice J. DePont, Federal 
Communications Commission, Private Radio Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, 
(202) 632-4964.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice 
of Proposed Rule Making, adopted December 13, 1993, and released 
December 29, 1993. The complete text of this Commission action, 
including the proposed rule amendments, is available for inspection and 
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference center (room 
230), 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC. The complete text of this 
Notice of Proposed Rule Making, including the proposed rule amendments, 
may also be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, 
International Transcription Services, Inc., (ITS, Inc.), 2100 M Street, 
NW., suite 140, Washington, DC 20037.

Summary of Notice of Proposed Rule Making

    1. The Licensing Division of the Private Radio Bureau is installing 
a new automated licensing process that will give it the capability to 
administer a vanity call sign system. The Commission, therefore, on its 
own motion, is proposing to amend the amateur service rules to 
implement a system wherein amateur station licensees can select call 
signs of their own choice, provided they are not already assigned and 
are within the framework of the operator license class held by the 
applicant.
    2. The vanity call sign system would be in addition to the current 
sequential call sign system that would be continued to be used for 
those applicants who do not want a vanity call sign.
    3. The proposed rules would allow the licensee of an existing 
primary station to request a modification of the licensee to show a 
call sign selected by the licensee. This privilege would also be 
extended to the license trustee of an existing club station.
    4. It is also proposed to administer a club and military recreation 
station sequential call sign system under our new automated licensing 
process.
    5. An applicant could list ten call signs on the application form 
in order of preference. The first available call sign from the 
applicant's list would be assigned. If none of the call signs listed 
are available, the automated process would reassign the call sign that 
the applicant had vacated.
    6. The proposed vanity call sign system is designed to be 
practicable to administer and simple for the amateur community to use. 
Comments are invited on the entire proposal and specifically on the 
following matters. Could other means, such as magnetic computer disks, 
be used to apply directly to the Commission for a vanity call sign in 
lieu of the traditional paper application form? Could some type of 
access be made available to the public to check with the Commission for 
call sign availability? What options are available so that the public 
could apply for a license electronically and receive authorization to 
begin operation by the same means?
    7. In addition, commenters may wish to submit alternatives 
suggesting ways that military recreation and RACES stations might be 
able to be brought into a system that would afford them call signs of 
choice.
    8. The proposed rules are set forth at the end of this document.
    9. This is a non-restricted notice and comment rule making 
proceeding.
    Ex parte presentations are permitted, except during the Sunshine 
Agenda period, provided they are disclosed as specified in the 
Commission's Rules. See generally 47 CFR 1.1202, 12.1203, and 
1.1206(a).
    10. In accordance with section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the Commission certifies that the 
proposed rules would not, if promulgated, have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small business entities because the 
amateur stations that are the subject of this proceeding would not be 
authorized to transmit any communications where the station licensee or 
control operator has a pecuniary interest. See Sec. 97.113(a)(3).
    11. This Notice of Proposed Rule Making and the proposed rule 
amendments are issued under the authority of sections 4(i) and 303(r) 
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i) and 
303(r).
    12. A copy of this Notice of Proposed Rule Making will be forwarded 
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 97

    Club stations, Radio, Vanity call signs.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Proposed Rules

    Part 97 of chapter I of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE

    1. The authority citation for part 97 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. Secs. 154, 
303. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 
47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609, unless otherwise noted.

    2. In Sec. 97.17, paragraphs (b), (c), (f), are revised and a new 
paragraph (g) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 97.17  Application for new license.

* * * * *
    (b) Each application for a new amateur service license must be made 
on the proper FCC form:
    (1) FCC Form 610 for a new operator/primary station license;
    (2) FCC Form 610-A for a reciprocal permit for alien amateur 
licensee; and
    (3) FCC Form 610-B for a new amateur service club or military 
recreation station license.
    (c) Each application for a new operator/primary station license 
must be submitted to the VEs administering the qualifying examination.
* * * * *
    (f) One unique call sign will be assigned to each new primary, 
club, and military recreation station using the sequential call sign 
system (call sign is selected sequentially by the FCC from an 
alphabetized list corresponding to the geographic region of the 
licensee's mailing address and class of operator license.) The FCC will 
issue public announcements detailing the procedures of the sequential 
call sign system.
    (g) Each application for a new club or military recreation station 
license must be submitted to the FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, 
PA 17325-7245. No new license for a RACES station will be issued.
    3. Section 97.19 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 97.19  Application for a vanity call sign.

    (a) A person holding an operator/primary or club station license 
may request a modification of the license to show a call sign assigned 
under the vanity call sign system (licensee selects the call sign.)
    (b) Each request for a modification of an operator/primary or club 
station license to show a new call sign assigned under the vanity call 
sign system must be made on FCC Form 610-V. The form must be submitted 
with the proper fee to the address specified in the Private Radio 
Services Fee Filing Guide.
    (c) Each request for a renewal of an operator/primary or club 
station license retaining a call sign assigned under the vanity call 
sign system must be made on FCC Form 610-V. The form must be submitted 
with the proper fee to the address specified in the Private Radio 
Services Fee Filing Guide. To renew the license without retaining a 
vanity call sign, the applicant must use FCC Form 610 as specified in 
Sec. 97.21.
    (d) The following persons are eligible to apply for a new vanity 
call sign:
    (1) The holder of a valid operator/primary station license; and
    (2) The license trustee holding a club station license.
    (e) RACES and military recreation stations are not eligible for a 
vanity call sign.
    (f) Only unassigned call signs are available to the vanity call 
sign system.
    (1) A call sign that was previously assigned to a station whose 
license has lapsed is not available to the vanity call sign system for 
2 years following expiration of the license.
    (2) A call sign assigned to a station of a deceased licensee is not 
available to the vanity call sign system for 2 years following the 
licensee's death, or for 2 years following the expiration of the 
license, whichever is sooner.
    (3) A call sign that is vacated by the licensee is available 
immediately to the vanity call sign system.
    (g) Each vanity call sign requested must be selected from the 
groups of call signs designated under the sequential call sign system 
for the class of operator license held by the applicant or for a lower 
class.
    (1) The applicant must request that the call sign held be cancelled 
and provide a list of up to 10 call signs in order of preference. The 
list will automatically end with the call sign vacated as the eleventh 
choice.
    (2) The first available call sign from the applicant's list will be 
assigned. When none of those call signs are available, the call sign 
vacated by the applicant will be reassigned.
    (3) Vanity call signs will be assigned from those call signs 
available at the time the application is processed by the FCC.
    (4) The FCC will issue public announcements detailing the 
procedures of the vanity call sign system.
    4. Current Secs. 97.21, 97.23, 97.25 and 97.27 are redesignated as 
Secs. 97.23, 97.25, 97.27 and 97.29, respectively.
    5. Section 97.21 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 97.21  Application for renewal, reinstatement, or modification of 
a license.

    (a) Each application for renewal, reinstatement, or modification of 
an amateur service license must be made on the proper FCC form(s):
    (1) FCC Form 610 to request renewal or reinstatement of an 
operator/primary station license. The form must be submitted to the 
FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. When the applicant 
desires to retain a call sign that was assigned under the vanity call 
sign system, FCC Form 610-V must be used as specified in Sec. 97.19.
    (2) FCC Form 610 to request modification of an operator license 
showing a change in operator class. The form must be submitted to the 
VEs administering the qualifying examination. A request for a vanity 
call sign may not be filed with the administering VEs. When the 
applicant desires to retain a call sign that was assigned under the 
vanity call sign system, the license will bear the original expiration 
date.
    (3) FCC Form 610 to request modification of an operator/primary 
station license showing a change of mailing address, change of name, or 
change of call sign to be assigned under the sequential call sign 
system. The form must be submitted to the FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, 
Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. When the applicant desires to retain a call 
sign that was assigned under the vanity call sign system, the license 
will bear the original expiration date.
    (4) FCC Form 610-B to request renewal of a club, military 
recreation, or RACES station license. The form must be submitted to the 
FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. If the station has 
a call sign that was assigned under vanity call sign system, FCC Form 
610-V must be used as specified in Sec. 97.19.
    (5) FCC Form 610-B to request modification of a club, military 
recreation, or RACES station license showing a change of mailing 
address, change of license trustee or custodian, or change of call sign 
to be assigned under the sequential call sign system. The form must be 
submitted to the FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. 
When the applicant desires to retain a call sign that was assigned 
under the vanity call sign system, the license will bear the original 
expiration date.
    (6) A reciprocal permit for alien amateur licensee is not 
renewable. A new reciprocal permit may be issued upon proper 
application.
    (b) Each application for renewal, reinstatement, or modification of 
an amateur service license must be accompanied by a photocopy of the 
license document or the original document, unless it has been lost, 
mutilated, or destroyed.
    (c) When the licensee has submitted a timely application for 
renewal of an unexpired license (between 60 and 90 days prior to the 
end of the license term is recommended), the licensee may continue to 
operate until the disposition of the application has been determined. 
If a license expires, application for reinstatement may be made during 
a grace period of 2 years after the expiration date. During this grace 
period, the expired license is not valid. A license reinstated during 
the grace period will be dated as of the date of the reinstatement.
    (d) Under the sequential call sign system, unless the licensee 
requests a change, the same call sign will be assigned to the station 
upon renewal, reinstatement, or modification of a station license.

[FR Doc. 94-30 Filed 1-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M