Vanity Callsign Selection

[OLLIE]

Can someone point me to a reference as to what an amateur operators call sign may configured of? Currently my call sign is K6JYB (X#XXX). I was thinking of trying for call sign FJ4O (XX#X). I know there are various extras with call signs in this type of format. Is it still legal and where are the guidelines located?

[cruiserlarry]

Can someone point me to a reference as to what an amateur operators call sign may configured of? Currently my call sign is K6JYB (X#XXX). I was thinking of trying for call sign FJ4O (XX#X). I know there are various extras with call signs in this type of format. Is it still legal and where are the guidelines located?

I think you're out of luck - U.S. Amateur call signs must start with K, N, or W... but here's the complete rules / regulations regarding vanity calls:

VANITY CALL SIGN INFO

[OLLIE]

Thanks for that info. I'd forgotten that I was limited to those three letters.

[xtatik]

That would be a seriously confusing callsign for experienced hams to figure out.
FJ is the prefix for the island of St. Martin. Which would count for DXCC credit here in the States.
http://www.eham.net/newham/intcallsigns.htm

[sdnative]

So what exactly does JYB mean anyway? It must be so obvious I missed it.

On another note, since you mentioned FJ4O meaning FJ for Ollie I assume, my friend Steve changed his call to KJ4STV (he has a jeep liberty or KJ). I thought that was cool.

[cruiserlarry]

So what exactly does JYB mean anyway? It must be so obvious I missed it.

On another note, since you mentioned FJ4O meaning FJ for Ollie I assume, my friend Steve changed his call to KJ4STV (he has a jeep liberty or KJ). I thought that was cool.

I thought you wanted FJ4O in reference to the classic Toyota Landcruiser....

[xtatik]

So what exactly does JYB mean anyway? It must be so obvious I missed it.

On another note, since you mentioned FJ4O meaning FJ for Ollie I assume, my friend Steve changed his call to KJ4STV (he has a jeep liberty or KJ). I thought that was cool.

It's kinda' cool, but unless I lived in Florida I wouldn't want the 4 in my callsign. Too confusing....although it's becoming less important. Most hams that move from one place to another will change their callsigns accordingly, a few won't. If he ever planned on DX'ing, he'd be disadvantaged because many DX stations will work pile-ups by zone. If a DX station is calling for "4" stations and has his beam correctly pointing at Florida....a California (6) station isn't going to stand a chance being heard through that pile-up. Conversely, if he answers with a "4" callsign when "6" stations are wanted by the DX station...he's gonna' get the boot.

[Dennis David]

Yeah,

I can go on a DX expedition to Orient Beach, St Martin.

[sdnative]

It's kinda' cool, but unless I lived in Florida I wouldn't want the 4 in my callsign. Too confusing....although it's becoming less important. Most hams that move from one place to another will change their callsigns accordingly, a few won't. If he ever planned on DX'ing, he'd be disadvantaged because many DX stations will work pile-ups by zone. If a DX station is calling for "4" stations and has his beam correctly pointing at Florida....a California (6) station isn't going to stand a chance being heard through that pile-up. Conversely, if he answers with a "4" callsign when "6" stations are wanted by the DX station...he's gonna' get the boot.

Good point and now that you explained it that way I agree that it is best to leave double meaning phrases to license plates.

[OLLIE]

When I was thinking about it I was thinking it could go either way. FJ 4 Ollie or FJ-40. I think I'm going to leave my call sign as is. Larry and DaveK confuse easily so I don't want to confuse them by changing it.