Question T1C02
From subelement T1 - T1C
Who may select a desired call sign under the vanity call sign rules?
Why is this correct?
The correct answer is D. The FCC vanity call sign rules explicitly state that any licensed amateur may select a desired call sign, regardless of license class or experience level. This includes Technician, General, and Amateur Extra operators. The incorrect options wrongly restrict vanity call signs to higher classes (A and B) or experienced operators (C), but Part 97 contains no such limitations.
Memory tip
Remember the pattern: FCC rules rarely create artificial barriers between license classes for administrative functions like call signs. When you see restrictions by class in amateur radio, they typically involve frequency privileges or power levels, not paperwork processes.
Learn more
Under Part 97.19, vanity call sign selection is democratically available to all license holders as an administrative privilege, separate from operating privileges. You can choose from your current group or lower groups (representing lower license classes). This system allows personalization while maintaining the technical distinctions between operator classes for frequency privileges and emission standards.
Think about it
Why do you think the FCC allows any licensed amateur to choose vanity call signs, rather than restricting this privilege to higher license classes?