Moved to 4-land from 6-land, Keep my call or change it?

Well, I've recently moved to 4-land (Georgia) from California and contemplating changing my call sign to match the call area I'm in.  Now, I've always been extremely anal when it has come to come moving to a new call area and frowned on those who didn't change.  I always changed my call when I moved and used to curse those I have worked thinking they were in one area based on their call and then found out they were in a totally different area.

However, I now have a really cool call and feeling like a hypocrite for not changing without hesitation like I have done every time I've moved in the past. Now, alot of my previous call signs were kinda crappy:
 
KA1VIX - Novice ticket back in 1989
KG6QGC - Systematic change when I moved to So. Cal.
W6CFO - Vanity to replace crappy QGC call.
W6FO - My 1x2 treat when I finally upgraded to Extra last year.

Now, there are a couple 1x2 options I could go with here in 4-land.. I'll just have to pull the same tricks I used when I got W6FO.  However, none of the 1x2's I have a chance of getting are nearly as cool as W6FO.

Decisions, Decisions... whatcha all think?

73

JT - W6FO/4

[w3jn]

THe phonetics possibilities would be too tempting for me.

I like it, though!  I vote you keep it.

[Jim, W5JO]

I vote you keep it.  It was a treat and one should keep presents.

[WB3JOK]

Keep it, use the /4 suffix.

I got my call in Maryland, 1977, as a Novice and remain quite attached to it (although it was a lousy 5 wpm CW call). Now I operate from two different locations in Missouri and Maine and just sign /0 from Mo. and /1 from Maine. Yes, I know it's no longer required to do so, but as you could see from :

used to curse those I have worked thinking they were in one area based on their call and then found out they were in a totally different area.

there are people who do care.
-Charles
WB3JOK

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

I'd go for changing it since you're in a new call area and there are bound to be some cool ones available there. I never understood why they decided to allow folks to use an out of area call permanently, why have any call areas? It's one of the few structures left in ham radio that actually makes some sense and can be very helpful.

However, it is a nice call and one could understand why you'd want to keep it. As others have said (and you have done with your signature), signing with /4 at least lets folks know where you are. Might not seem like a big deal in the bigger picture, but imagine those guys in 4-Land on AM hearing your 6-Land call and thinking they're working coast to coast! YEEEHAAA!

Seriously though, Mike W8BAC came from 6-Land and picked out a vanity call reflecting the call letters of station WBAC. Others have come up with some creative ideas as well. I have my original call still, but have looked at a few interesting calls coming up soon in 1-Land and given it some serious thought.

Whatever you choose to do, welcome to the other side of the greatest country in the world!

~ Todd  'KAQ

[K1JJ]

Hi JT,

Yes, an available W6, two letter call is probably the rarest of
them all. Big competiton on the west coast.

You COULD make a special request for a call like , "KC4JGJ"
or some other forgettable call, just to torture yourself...    

But "W6 far- out"   or  "W6  f**k off"  is great.

No contest, OM.  [you weren't REALLY thinking of getting
rid of it, now were you?]  Look at Yaz's avatar picture
and say those words.

BTW, let us know how your new FT-102 works out when
you modify it.

73,
T

BTW, let us know how your new FT-102 works out when
you modify it.

Definitely will Tom.  Looking forward to working you on the air as well.

Just trying to figure out how to get a 75M wire in the air at the new QTH.  I think I have room for a full size G5RV but will have to run it in an inverted-v configuration.  I just need to try and figure out how to get a line up and over this one tree in the yard without making the neighbors worried.  For DX, I will probably setup a Butternut HF-2V vertical.
 
73

JT - W6FO

[Ed KB1HVS]

 

But "W6 far- out"   or  "W6  f**k off"  is great.

 


 But Tom, sometimes everyones call on 75m ends in F**K OFF. It cud lead to cornfusion ya know.

[w3jn]

Unfortunately KJ2J has been taken by a gentleman in Idaho.  I always liked Tina's phonetics for that one.

73 John

[Glenn K2KL]

I'm faced with the same situation when I move down to North Carolina. Only problem is there are no 4 area 1x2 calls left!!!!....

Guess I'll keep the "kitty litter"

(Thanks Brent!)

Only problem is there are no 4 area 1x2 calls left!!!!....

There are several possible 4 area 1x2's that might work for me with a little work.
 
K4FO and K4JT are both set to expire soon. If they have gone SK, I can petition the FCC to cancel the calls and they will cancel the calls effective when they went SK thus avoiding the 2-year wait.  This is exactly how I was able to get my current call, W6FO.
 
1x2's are still out there with a little work.

73

JT - W6FO

[K1JJ]

K4FO and K4JT are both set to expire soon. If they have
gone SK, I can petition the FCC to cancel the calls and
they will cancel the calls effective when they went SK
thus avoiding the 2-year wait.  This is exactly how I
was able to get my current call, W6FO.
 
1x2's are still out there with a little work.

73

JT - W6FO

JT,

Interesting. So, most uninformed guys are waiting for the
desired call to expire after the 2 year period, whereas you've
discovered that there's a back door method to grab the call...
good thinking, OM.

Normally, not counting the FCC request you mentioned, is there
a big waiting list for a good call IF it goes thru the 2 year period,
and if so, the person who gets his request in at the earliest moment
on that day gets it?

ie, Most guys wait until 12:01AM and push the send key on
the FCC internet site?

T

[K1JJ]

Unfortunately KJ2J has been taken by a gentleman
in Idaho.  I always liked Tina's phonetics for that one.

73 John

HA!

It was SO close. Big G was a hair away from owning that call. It
woulda been a scream for a week or so, but G wuda laid low. We'd
wuda had to call for him endlessly on 3885 using Tina's phonetics...

JT:  To get the line over the tree, stand on the property line
and shoot a bow arrow over the tree/crouch and let the arrow
land in your yard. Use a spinning outfit with 6-10 lb test
monofilament line. Progressively pull thru bigger rope and end
with some steel cable.

Best method I know of for accuracy.  With practice, you can put it
thru a small crotch up 80' high. [no jokes, please]

T

ie, Most guys wait until 12:01AM and push the send key on
the FCC internet site?

Precisely.  After I submitted my petition to the FCC to cancel W6FO because the licensee was now SK, you also have to present proof of death with your request, I watched FCC's site daily for the status to be changed to 'cancelled'.  As soon as it was shown cancelled, I submitted my vanity application.  According to vanityhq while my application was pending, no one else had submitted applications for my call so there wasn't any competition at all.

73

JT - W6FO

[Glenn K2KL]

Hi JT,

How did you present proof of death? copy of a public record off the net?
I may give this a try once I move! How do you submit the petition?

Thanks!

ie, Most guys wait until 12:01AM and push the send key on
the FCC internet site?

Precisely.  After I submitted my petition to the FCC to cancel W6FO because the licensee was now SK, you also have to present proof of death with your request, I watched FCC's site daily for the status to be changed to 'cancelled'.  As soon as it was shown cancelled, I submitted my vanity application.  According to vanityhq while my application was pending, no one else had submitted applications for my call so there wasn't any competition at all.

73

JT - W6FO

copy of a public record off the net?

Yup, from Social Security's website.

How do you submit the petition?

You have to fax a form letter along with a print out from the SS's website to a certain person at the FCC.  Also, the address information at the time of death has to match the info within FCC's database or they will deny it.

There is a nice lil FAQ on vanityhq.com that discusses this entire process.

73

JT - W6FO

[Glenn K2KL]

Thanks JT,

Time to go hunting for SK's... :oops:  :roll:

copy of a public record off the net?

Yup, from Social Security's website.

How do you submit the petition?

You have to fax a form letter along with a print out from the SS's website to a certain person at the FCC.  Also, the address information at the time of death has to match the info within FCC's database or they will deny it.

There is a nice lil FAQ on vanityhq.com that discusses this entire process.

73

JT - W6FO

Time to go hunting for SK's... :oops:

Unfortunately it's a necessary evil to find 1x2's these days.  I had always wanted one since my Novice days.  

- JT

[Jim, W5JO]

Remember in all this you have to tie the person to the license definately.  Sometimes obits from the paper work as well.  Should you cancel the license of someone alive, you could be in big trouble

One of the big things is address of record at the FCC vs. the address of death (such as nursing home).  If the licensee has been dead for two years and one day or more, it is cancelled immediately and available.  If less than two years, you have to wait until that time is passed before applying.

If you submit a cancellation, you can apply immediately which will not do any good until the cancellation takes effect.  Then when you see the cancellation on the FCC website, modify the application which resets the clock to that time which gets your application withing the acceptable window for granting.  You should watch the FCC website almost hourly, since the person who does this may be on coffee break when you fax it to them or busy.  If that is the case, they may cancel that afternoon or next day or next week, you never know.  It is best to fax the documentation so you have an idea when the cancellation will be posted.

No sense in waiting for 12:01 AM to apply either.  All applications received following two years plus one day are treated the same as for date, not time of application.  

Read the FCC rules about this on their website, they are pretty specific and loaded with government language, but it is fairly easy to do.  Just search QRZ for hams over 75 years old then check the SSI data base at http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi which is free.  Some databases charge for this information.  The FCC website:  http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/index.html

Gud luk to all who enter this endeavor.

[wa2zdy]

I'm glad I don't want a 1x2.  This is just creepy.

[K1JJ]

On the subject of obtaining a 1X2 call...

Back in '79 when the first gate opened, I saw an FCC paper
list of calls available. I put in for fiftteen choices, like K1AA,
K1BB, K1CC...K1JJ, etc.  My thirteenth choice, "JJ" was the
one available because of the time lag. Didn't really want that
call, but that's what was left for double letters.

It was the first time the call was issued, so no one held it
before. As far as I know, there were little to no "K1" two letter
calls ever issued before the first gate in '79.

After that gate closed, it wasn't opened for another 10+ years? or so.
There were still some great calls out there, like K1KW, K1KV,
etc. I like those calls better than mine...

I notice some guys get anal about their 2 letter calls when
they die and bequeath it to a club beforehand  or somehow
make sure it stays in "good hands". Personally, I don't give
a shit if my call get grabbed by some maniac troublemaker who
goes up and down the band raising hell. Or, it goes to a
new 12 year old JN who quits and never gets on.

After all, it's just a temporary tag we hold for a short period
of time. What's in a name - what's in a call?  No big deal.  
Never been sentimental about it. Enjoy it while you can,
caw mawn.

T

[W1GFH]

I'm glad I don't want a 1x2.  This is just creepy.

Owning dead men's equipment, living in dead men's homes, we might as well be using dead men's calls.