SB QST @ ARL $ARLB039 ARLB039 Vanity calls issued ZCZC AG19 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 39 ARLB039 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT June 11, 1996 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB039 ARLB039 Vanity calls issued First vanity call signs issued. The FCC has issued the first call signs under the new vanity call sign program. Gate 1, which permits licensees to get back former individual or club call signs or the former call sign of a deceased close relative, opened May 31, 1996. Among the first out of the gate were Mark Mandelkern, K5AM (ex-KN5S), Ronald Allen, W3OR (ex-AA3NF), John Webster, W6RM (ex-WA6L), Frank Eldredge, W7GGR (ex-N7BRG), Charles Coldwell Jr, WB5CTQ (ex-KC5EBG), John Santucci Jr, WB9JVM (ex-WD4FMN), Signe Twardowski, W3IIJ (ex KC7QFI), Wendell Davis, W1HSO (ex-N1GJW), and Ernest Evans, W8RWS (ex-N8ELO). The FCC also issued several new club station call signs. The FCC reports it received more than 350 first-day applications. But 85 applications were filed too early and were returned to applicants for timely resubmittal. Gate 1 remains open for applications indefinitely. The FCC has not yet announced opening dates for the other filing gates. NNNN /EX