US Amateur Radio Callsign Query

Antenna
World-Wide Communications

After upgrading my Amateur Radio license class from General to Amateur Extra, I contemplated applying for a Vanity Callsign. But what Callsigns were available to me? For amateur radio operators, Callsigns are as personal as names and I wanted something special. After searching online I couldn’t find a website or webpage that really showed, in a concise manner, available Callsigns. So, I created the webpage noted by the link below.

US Amateur Radio Callsign Query

The main table is arranged by license class, format, region code that helps the user find appropriate Callsigns fast. Of course competition for the most exclusive Callsigns is fierce but you may want a Vanity Callsign that reflects your name, or your Amateur Radio Club name or location. Refer to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) website for Vanity Callsign eligibility and application process. For example, an Amateur Extra class license holder is eligible for just about any available Callsign without regard to region or other license classes. The ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League) website offers a concise explanation regarding Vanity Callsigns.

Here, available Callsigns are sourced from publicly-available data at the FCC. It is automatically updated every week (Sunday midnight). So the best time to reference new data is every Monday morning. The FCC website allows you query information about the status of particular Callsigns. According to FCC regulation 97.19(2), cancelled callsigns are available 2 years after the cancellation date. This is often different from the official expired date displayed at the FCC license search. Use the available_date shown here to find your callsign. Only callsigns existing within the FCC’s ULS are shown here. Many callsigns are yet to be assigned, or sequential gaps exist. Verify callsign availability at the FCC website. Submit an online or written application and fee.

Please direct your comments, questions to kf7gax(@)arrl.net