On vanity callsigns

[kc4ylv]

I'm so torn. I'm getting back into it all and realized that there's now a vanity callsign program. I did a little research and there are a couple 1x3's with my initials, which would be awesome.

But I don't know if I want to get rid of the old one! I'm so attached to it. BUT it's a long, annoying call (especially in CW) and a 1x3 would help on that. And just try to get some amusing phonetics out of YLV. Just not happening.

I can get my old one back if I hate the new one (assuming nobody took the old 2x3 in the meantime), right?

[n0iu]

You should do what makes YOU happy and not worry about what anyone else thinks.

If you do abandon your current call, the only way to get it back would be through the vanity program.

Scott NØIU

[kc4ylv]

I'm also starting to operate on HF again and am concerned that I may hear a lot of 'dead air' when calling CQ with a 2x3, if you can get my drift. That being said, it is a 15 year old callsign...

[WA9ZZZ]

I did that. That is, got a call with my initials. Had it for a few years, then went back to my old 2x3 call when the vanity program came out. It is annoying that my call is now listed as a vanity call, when I originally got it as a sequentially issued call.

Anyhow, the answer to your question is "yes", you can get your call back if you decide you want to go back to it. So you can try a shorter one if you want to.

[n2nh]

I think in light of recent developments, 1x2, 2x1 and 1x3 calls are going to be in short supply soon.

[w8cbc]

My call is a vanity.

I had the same reluctance to change it that you have, but I only had kd8bsr for a bit over year so it wasn't too difficult to adjust.

I never had problems getting replies in CW with the 2x3.
I still get very few replies in voice with the 1x3.

I think it's down to operating habits.
CW ops are more likely to answer.

[n0nwo]

Quote[/b] ]I'm so torn. I'm getting back into it all and realized that there's now a vanity callsign program. I did a little research and there are a couple 1x3's with my initials, which would be awesome

Only you can make that call. Sounds like you would be happier with the vanity, so go for it.

whatever makes your boat float, your mop flop, blows your dress up...

Get the vanity call, a new rig, a new car, a new house, a sex change...

Like you said, you could always go back to the old call if you want (but why would you want too http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif )

[KC2PFV]

Quote[/b] (kc4ylv @ Dec. 18 2006,15:58)]I'm also starting to operate on HF again and am concerned that I may hear a lot of 'dead air' when calling CQ with a 2x3, if you can get my drift. That being said, it is a 15 year old callsign...
Yeah, it is a damn shame that the OF's won't answer a CQ by a 2X3. Actually, that would go against what they stand for since the 2X3 LEARNED the code.

Of course, you can't reason with insane people.

73 de TOM KC2PFV

[k7mh]

Quote[/b] ]Of course, you can't reason with insane people.


I think the insane ones are the ones worried about whether or not anyone will talk to them!
1. Get whatever license you want
2. Get whatever call you want
3. Get whatever radio you want
4. Turn on Tune up Call CQ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[w5alt]

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Dec. 18 2006,20:02)]Quote[/b] (kc4ylv @ Dec. 18 2006,15:58)]I'm also starting to operate on HF again and am concerned that I may hear a lot of 'dead air' when calling CQ with a 2x3, if you can get my drift. That being said, it is a 15 year old callsign...
Yeah, it is a damn shame that the OF's won't answer a CQ by a 2X3. Actually, that would go against what they stand for since the 2X3 LEARNED the code.
Actually I work lots of 2x3 calls on CW and digital. I don't do much SSB, due mainly to the S/N hit I take with my poor antennas, but I've never personally met anyone who worries about what call sign class someone has. My first 3 calls were all 2x3's of the WN and WB vintage.

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[KA4DPO]

I wonder if I could get K4LID?

[n0iu]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Dec. 18 2006,13:37)]I wonder if I could get K4LID?
You could, but you would have to wait until two years after Thomas L. Lykins becomes SK and since he was born in 1952, that may be a while.

Scott NØIU

[KC2PFV]

Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Dec. 18 2006,18:30)]Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Dec. 18 2006,20:02)]Quote[/b] (kc4ylv @ Dec. 18 2006,15:58)]I'm also starting to operate on HF again and am concerned that I may hear a lot of 'dead air' when calling CQ with a 2x3, if you can get my drift. That being said, it is a 15 year old callsign...
Yeah, it is a damn shame that the OF's won't answer a CQ by a 2X3. Actually, that would go against what they stand for since the 2X3 LEARNED the code.
Actually I work lots of 2x3 calls on CW and digital. I don't do much SSB, due mainly to the S/N hit I take with my poor antennas, but I've never personally met anyone who worries about what call sign class someone has. My first 3 calls were all 2x3's of the WN and WB vintage.

73,
Walt, W5ALT
Walt,

You know the type of people I'm talking about.

I learned CW to pass the test and I am trying to speed up. I call CQ multiple times a day across the bands and I don't usually get a response. I think it is because my antenna stinks. I plan on upgrading my HF antenna, as you can see in my recent posts in the Q&A forum. I plan on working CW, I LIKE CW. There are a lot of pro-coders, who think that anybody who is 5 WPM or below is not a ham. When in reality, they are just acting like immature fools who need to move onto a less stressful hobby.

I guess you can say I'm pissed off that some people on here are saying things to DISCOURAGE growth of the hobby. It wasn't the NCT's who decided against CW. It was the FCC and the hams who FAILED to convince the FCC.

73 de TOM KC2PFV
5 WPM General - November 15th 2006

[K0HWY]

Not answering a call based on a call sign is possibly the most childish thing I've heard of in a long time.

As for vanity calls, I'm glad I got mine. But as Scott said, do what it takes to make YOU happy, not everyone else.

[N2RJ]

None of my calls are vanity calls. The two currently valid ones were both assigned.

The story behind 9Y4RAJ - I wanted 9Y4RJ as it was shorter, but the guy at the telecomm office decided that I should get 9Y4RAJ so he assigned that to me.

At times I contemplate going for a vanity call but then I realize that it would be giving up an identity that has spread far and wide.

But on the bright side my FCC amateur license only cost me $10 for life.

[k8pg]

I dont have a Vanity Call either,How do you figure THAT ONE OUT
and mine was only$7.50 for life.
DE K8PG-Paul G.:p

[k7mh]

Quote[/b] ]AB2MH
At times I contemplate going for a vanity call but then I realize that it would be giving up an identity that has spread far and wide.

Personally I think you have a top notch callsign!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[M0MJH]

Me too!

[K3UD]

I held my original call (WA3DNC) from 1964 - 1997 when I acquired the vanity call of W3GEO. My motivation was that I always wanted a 1X3 call with a W or K prefix but never thought I would have one. When the Vanity system came along I jumped on the the opportunity. A bit later I started to think about the possibility of a 1X2 call. My search turned up several and I realized that I needed to do it soon as they were dwindling down to nothing. I was fortunate to get K3UD and have enjoyed it ever since. I did some research on the call and found out that I am probably the first holder of the call.

Everyone who goes the vanity route has a reason for doing it. Perhaps it is for initials, maybe it is to have a better contest call, or it just might by a bit catchy. In my case K3UD is a nice CW call and it works well in contests. W3GEO was my "catchy" callsign and I sometimes think of getting W4GEO if it ever comes open.

Everyone has a different reason and they are all valid.

73
George
K3UD

[n0iu]

If you go ahead and get a vanity callsign and it turns out you don't like it, don't come back here and ask us to refund your money!

Scott NØIU

[w5alt]

Quote[/b] (KC2PFV @ Dec. 19 2006,00:19)]Walt,

You know the type of people I'm talking about.
No, actually that was what I was telling you. I don't actually know anyone who does that. I've heard they exist, but I don't know them. That's the truth.

Quote[/b] ]I learned CW to pass the test and I am trying to speed up. I call CQ multiple times a day across the bands and I don't usually get a response. I think it is because my antenna stinks. I plan on upgrading my HF antenna, as you can see in my recent posts in the Q&A forum. I plan on working CW, I LIKE CW. There are a lot of pro-coders, who think that anybody who is 5 WPM or below is not a ham. When in reality, they are just acting like immature fools who need to move onto a less stressful hobby.
Well, I'm an OF and operate mostly CW due to antenna problems. I don't personally know any so-called pro-coders who refuse to work people on CW based on their call sign.

I do know some that are not always in the mood to copy slow or poorly sent CW or weak signals. Then again I know people who don't converse with everyone they meet on the street corner, either.

These days I quite often call CQ without getting any answers. It never occurred to me that it might be because of my call sign or not sending fast enough. I figured the bands are not great and my antenna is crappy. A year or 2 ago, I used to get pileups every time I turned the rig on.

Quote[/b] ]I guess you can say I'm pissed off that some people on here are saying things to DISCOURAGE growth of the hobby. It wasn't the NCT's who decided against CW. It was the FCC and the hams who FAILED to convince the FCC.
Some people will say discouraging things on any subject. Rather than get pissed off, get on the air and do all you can to make your station better. There are plenty of hams who will QSO with anyone, contrary to what you read on QRZ.

And if you happen to hear my crappy signal, give me a call. It seems these days that I don't get into the US very much. I have much better luck working Europe on 40m than the US. And with my indoor antenna, I hear noting on 80 and the higher bands are open for very short times here these days.

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (k7mh @ Dec. 19 2006,00:48)]Quote[/b] ]AB2MH
At times I contemplate going for a vanity call but then I realize that it would be giving up an identity that has spread far and wide.

Personally I think you have a top notch callsign!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
Heh heh... Thanks, from one 'MH to another!

[kc4ylv]

Thanks for the great discussion, it gave me some good things to think about.

I can't change, I love this stupid old call too much. It'd be neat to be W5MJZ or something, but that's not me. KC4YLV has been burned into my head for so long...plus, I'd like to keep the 4-land call, as it reminds me of East Coast childhood fun long past.

[K0RGR]

This is a decision to be wieghed carefully.

If you do CW, consider how it will play on the air. Also consider the phonetics on SSB.

I started out as WB6RGR many years ago. If my name was Roger, I'd have it made. But that was a really good call in a pileup - the letter R seems to really get through well. When I got my Extra many years ago, I changed my call to the FCC-assigned N6FF. 'F' is a terrible letter to have in a call from a SSB standpoint. The phonetics are much too soft and easily confused. It was great on Cw, though.

When I moved to Iowa, I let FCC change my call to WF0H.
ARghhhh... another F call... but it was real close to my initials, so I kept it for quite a while. I eventually got tired of people having trouble understanding the 2X1 format.

So, I got the vanity call 'K0RGR' to reflect my original callsign. It's from about the right time frame, too. I think I'll keep this one, but I keep waiting for K0RR to come available.

If I move back to California or to 9 land, I'll get one of my dad's old calls.

[n0jaa]

Quote[/b] (kc4ylv @ Dec. 18 2006,18:44)]I'm so torn. I'm getting back into it all and realized that there's now a vanity callsign program. I did a little research and there are a couple 1x3's with my initials, which would be awesome.

But I don't know if I want to get rid of the old one! I'm so attached to it. BUT it's a long, annoying call (especially in CW) and a 1x3 would help on that. And just try to get some amusing phonetics out of YLV. Just not happening.

I can get my old one back if I hate the new one (assuming nobody took the old 2x3 in the meantime), right?
There are times when I wished I hadn't applied for a new call when I passed my Technician written in 1987. When the vanity callsign program started, I was tempted to get my old call back. However, I've had my current call for almost 20 years and I'm rather attached to it. Besides, it has a nice rhythm on CW.

And especially when I think that all of the regular 1x3 calls have been assigned (not counting vanity calls), I think it is a rather nice distinction. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KA3CTQ]

Quote[/b] (K0HWY @ Dec. 18 2006,23:25)]Not answering a call based on a call sign is possibly the most childish thing I've heard of in a long time.
I hope not to be ingnored because of a 2X3 call. I would think this a bit silly. I may be considered an OF since my call was issued to me 28 years ago next month.

If you don't like your call, change it.

I have thought about changing my call a couple of times, but this call has been with me too long now.

I don't even have to think about my call as send it in CW. It is like muscle memeory now on paddles or a strait key.

Go with what makes you happy, not what the trolls on this site may say.

73,
Dan

[K3STX]

Quote[/b] ]Quote (KC2PFV @ Dec. 19 2006,00:19)
Walt,

You know the type of people I'm talking about.

No, actually that was what I was telling you. I don't actually know anyone who does that. I've heard they exist, but I don't know them. That's the truth.

I've been a CW man for going on 30 years and I too don't know of anyone who has done this. I used to be KA3BOD, I never once considered that to be an impediment.

However, if you are calling CQ during the day and you have a lousy antenna you have two things going against you:

1. Most people work during the day. When I go home for lunch and tune around, the bands are dead. They spring to life at 7 pm.

2. A lousy antenna is a BIG problem! Who says they can even hear you? I was amazed that I could not be heard running 100 watts on 160 meters using my 100 foot long ladder-line fed dipole (about 60 feet high)/antenna tuner. My best "DX" was New York (from Maryland!). The SWR was 1:1, so what was the problem? The problem was the 15 feet of coax between my antenna tuner and the ladder-line/balun: I was told I was losing almost ALL my power in that coax (and the tuner), probably radiating about 5 watts out! I replaced that antenna with an inverted L and now can work into Europe with the same 100 watts.

Real CW ops want to make a real CW QSO. There are TONS of great ops with 2X3 calls and we all know it. I seriously think they just don't hear you. A simple dipole, even up 30 feet, will work wonders on 40 meters.

paul