HAM’S LIFE

The cost of a vanity call sign was $13.40 upon application and again $13.40 every 10 years at renewal.  As of April 13, 2010 the cost was reduced to $13.30 thus it now costs one penny less per year to have a vanity call sign.  

Those holding a vanity call sign prior to 1996 will not have a reduction in their renewal application fee because it was not until 1996 that congress authorized the FCC to charge for vanity call signs. 

An amateur radio license, with the exception of the small fee paid to the VEs when a test is taken, is free. Renewal is free.  But some hams are willing to pay for their license so they may have some special call sign.

These special call signs, called vanity calls, do have a fee attached.  The current price at the writing of this article is $12.30 but on August 11, 2009 the FCC announced it would raise the cost $1.10 making the new price $13.40.  The price increase will take effect 30 days after the FCC published it
in the Federal Register which means it will start on September 10, 2009. 

Once issued the call sign is good for 10 years but then at the expiration of the license the vanity call sign must again be renewed at $13.40.

In an email from the ARRL they said, “These fees are expected to recover a total of $341,875,000 during FY2009, encompassing all the Services the FCC regulates.” 

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