SB QST @ ARL $ARLB013   
   ARLB013 FCC Seeks to Raise the Fee for Vanity Call Signs   
      
   ZCZC AG13   
   QST de W1AW     
   ARRL Bulletin 13  ARLB013   
   From ARRL Headquarters     
   Newington CT  May 5, 2011   
   To all radio amateurs    
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB013   
   ARLB013 FCC Seeks to Raise the Fee for Vanity Call Signs   
      
   The FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (NPRM) on   
   May 3, seeking to raise the fee for Amateur Radio vanity call signs.   
   Currently, a vanity call sign costs $13.30 and is good for 10 years.   
      
   The new fee, if the FCC plan goes through, will go up to $14.20 for   
   10 years, an increase of 90 cents. The FCC is authorized by the   
   Communications Act of 1934 (as amended) to collect vanity call sign   
   fees to recover the costs associated with that program.   
      
   The vanity call sign regulatory fee is payable not only when   
   applying for a new vanity call sign, but also upon renewing a vanity   
   call sign for a new term. Instructions on how to comment on this   
   NPRM are available on the FCC Web site at,   
   http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/howtocomment.html.   
      
   The vanity call sign fee has fluctuated over the 14 years of the   
   current program -- from a low of $11.70 in 2007 to a high of $70 (as   
   first proposed in the FCC's 1994 Report and Order).  In 2007, the   
   Commission lowered the fee from $20.80 to $11.70. The FCC said it   
   anticipates some 14,600 Amateur Radio vanity call sign "payment   
   units" or applications during the next fiscal year.   
      
   The vanity call sign regulatory fee is payable not only when   
   applying for a new vanity call sign, but also upon renewing a vanity   
   call sign for a new term. The first vanity call sign licenses issued   
   under the current Amateur Radio vanity call sign program that began   
   in 1996 came up for renewal five years ago.   
      
   Those holding vanity call signs issued prior to 1996 are exempt from   
   having to pay the vanity call sign regulatory fee at renewal,   
   however. That's because Congress did not authorize the FCC to   
   collect regulatory fees until 1993. Such "heritage" vanity call sign   
   holders do not appear as vanity licensees in the FCC Amateur Radio   
   database.   
      
   Amateur Radio licensees may file for renewal only within 90 days of   
   their license expiration date. All radio amateurs must have an FCC   
   Registration Number (FRN) before filing any application with the   
   Commission. Applicants can obtain an FRN by going to the ULS at,   
   http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home, and clicking on the   
   "New Users Register" link. You must supply your Social Security   
   Number to obtain an FRN.   
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
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   Gentlemens' agreements ratified by IARU regions 1 and 2 have   
   designated a global "center of activity" frequency  in  each   
   of  the  international  hf  bands.  THese are similar to the   
   concept for weak signal calling and other center of activity   
   frequencies.  Three of these have been ratified worldwide.   
      
   THese  center of activity frequencies are where stations can   
   go to render or obtain emergency assistance.   
      
   WHen casually operating or  contesting  on  hf  please  make   
   yourself  aware  of  these  frequencies,  and give them some   
   space. Remember that often stations with emergency needs are   
   not  those  utilizing  high  gain antennas and maximum legal   
   power.   
      
   TO find out more, visit 14300.net or IARU web resources.   
      
      
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    * Origin: RRN BBS: Your fidonet ham radio connection! (1:116/901)