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NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 23, 2007 -- The hold on processing new Amateur Radio vanity call sign applications continues, and there's been no word from the FCC on when it will end. The Commission halted the processing of new vanity call sign processing while it modifies the software that handles vanity applications. The suspension, which does not affect vanity call sign renewals, resulted from a new Amateur Radio Service rule that went into effect December 15 to discourage the filing of multiple applications by one individual for the same call sign.
"The Commission continues to accept vanity call sign applications," says a brief announcement on the FCC's Universal Licensing System (ULS) Web page. "However, these applications will not be processed until software changes in accordance with the recent rule making have been fully implemented."
The FCC granted the last Amateur Radio vanity call signs on January 4 for applications received December 15. The current suspension affects new vanity call sign applications submitted on December 18 or later. Once processing of new vanity applications resumes, the FCC says, it will process all applications in the queue in the order in which they were received. Typically, it takes 18 days from the time the FCC receives a vanity application until the call sign is issued -- or the application is denied.
The FCC's "omnibus" Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 04-140 stipulates that if the FCC receives more than one application requesting a vanity call sign from a single applicant on the same receipt day, it will process only the first application entered into the ULS. The FCC will dismiss any subsequent vanity call sign applications from the same applicant on the same receipt date. The FCC put new vanity call sign processing on hold after an applicant unwittingly submitted 30 applications for the same call sign three days after the new rule became effective.
The current vanity call sign fee, payable for new applications as well as renewals, is $20.80 for the 10-year license term.
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