Ham call sign. Public information.

[KP68]

So I was wondering about other peoples thoughts on the publicly available information that can easily be looked up by call sign in the FCC database such as an operator's home address. It's kind of creepy knowing that anyone can copy and paste your address into google search and see your house up close and personal. For the most part I guess it's no big deal, but then again, there is no shortage of crazy people out there. For example, here is a brief story from someone about unhinged operators.
" I operated a missionary ham radio net for over thirty years on 10, 15, 20 and 40 meters. I have heard it all. We were jammed on 15 meters from Cuba. I had a couple of guys who were always threatening me. One even threatened to break every bone in my body. Of course, there were the usual guys who complained about my signal being too wide. We constantly had interference with on or adjacent to our net frequencies."

Just curious about how you guys feel about it.

[MDYoungblood]

Like you said, there are so many ways of finding out about on the internet, (I think "Google" knows more about me than I do myself). On here I keep my call under wraps unless asked then I'll send it to you in a PM. The forum is here to have fun and obtain knowledge, not to pry into your lives and hobbies other than radio.
What little bit on info we ask for in registering is already public but we still keep it safe.

BTW, Congrats on upgrading your ticket!

3's

Greg

[Bobcat]

Well, I have not seen anything bad happen from it... YET........
But when I think about it.....it is amazing that there is as much about you on the "dark web" that you can't even see unless you have the tools and knowledge to go look it up! It is like another "world" in there...from what I am told.

[Bombero]

Hey..

That’s exactly why you only share your call with people you know and trust.

Some OP’s go as far as registering with a P.O. Box.

These are strange times...so be safe...be vigilant.

Bombero

[BikePacker]

Just curious about how you guys feel about it.

Don't like it.

[KP68]

Hey..

That’s exactly why you only share your call with people you know and trust.

Some OP’s go as far as registering with a P.O. Box.

These are strange times...so be safe...be vigilant.

Bombero

Ya, Iv'e noticed the P.O. box addresses. Pretty darn smart! I also hear some guys on air who say their call sign so fast and slur the letters together that it's almost impossible to make out. Kind of funny. Strange times indeed!!

[MDYoungblood]

Hey..

That’s exactly why you only share your call with people you know and trust.

Some OP’s go as far as registering with a P.O. Box.

These are strange times...so be safe...be vigilant.

Bombero

Ya, Iv'e noticed the P.O. box addresses. Pretty darn smart! I also hear some guys on air who say their call sign so fast and slur the letters together that it's almost impossible to make out. Kind of funny. Strange times indeed!!

I have seen a "PO Box" for the mailing address but the FCC does require a physical location for your station. Using some of these ham websites to log or check a call, you can get the address, some even give you a pretty good photo of your house.

3's

Greg

[TNT1450]

I use a PO box for my listing because that's where I get my mail. The thing is that FCC licenses are public information so all you'd have to do is go to the FCC website to find all the information on that license. And the basic information as far as address and such is used on QRZ.com. I've never had any issue but I mainly operate CW and digital modes.

[BikePacker]

So I was wondering about other peoples thoughts ...
Just curious about how you guys feel about it.

Many of you probably already know that the FCC regs permit ham radio in 'time of emergency,' without a license (related FCC regs must be closely examined for compliance on this matter).
Related to this, some hams are just letting their licenses expire and not using their equipment except for day to day legal listening/monitoring, i.e., no transmitting ... thus having their street address (& call sign) removed from the active ham FCC license list.
Consistent with the above concern some hams are having and acting upon, I think the FCC still does require a street address and does not allow a Post Office Box (someone please update / correct me if this is still not the case? - Many thx. If I get to the FCC site again sometime & can verify I will post confirmation unless someone else updates before then).

[MDYoungblood]

So I was wondering about other peoples thoughts ...
Just curious about how you guys feel about it.

Many of you probably already know that the FCC regs permit ham radio in 'time of emergency,' without a license (related FCC regs must be closely examined for compliance on this matter).
Related to this, some hams are just letting their licenses expire and not using their equipment except for day to day legal listening/monitoring, i.e., no transmitting ... thus having their street address (& call sign) removed from the active ham FCC license list.
Consistent with the above concern some hams are having and acting upon, I think the FCC still does require a street address and does not allow a Post Office Box (someone please update / correct me if this is still not the case? - Many thx. If I get to the FCC site again sometime & can verify I will post confirmation unless someone else updates before then).

The FCC holds your expired call (and all info pertaining to) for 2 years after the date but your FRN is in the system forever.

3's

Greg

[Bobcat]

I just went to the FCC callsign database and looked up a friend who passed away in the 90s. His license expired in 2005 but he still shows up, address and all. So I'm not sure that letting your license lapse does anything like remove your address.

[TNT1450]

Consistent with the above concern some hams are having and acting upon, I think the FCC still does require a street address and does not allow a Post Office Box (someone please update / correct me if this is still not the case? -

Nope. I just have a PO box number listed for my address. I think you haven't had to have a physical address listed for quite a number of years now. When I was first licensed in 1993, you did have to have both a physical station address and a mailing address, but no longer. I think all the FCC cares about is that you have an address listed where you will receive any mail they send. Not responding to FCC correspondence is a violation of their rules.

[KP68]

Consistent with the above concern some hams are having and acting upon, I think the FCC still does require a street address and does not allow a Post Office Box (someone please update / correct me if this is still not the case? -

Nope. I just have a PO box number listed for my address. I think you haven't had to have a physical address listed for quite a number of years now. When I was first licensed in 1993, you did have to have both a physical station address and a mailing address, but no longer. I think all the FCC cares about is that you have an address listed where you will receive any mail they send. Not responding to FCC correspondence is a violation of their rules.

OK, makes sense. I've seen a bunch of call signs with the PO box address.

[TNT1450]

Or I should add that not having a valid address on file is also a violation of the rules. They just want to make sure they have a good address to send you those NAL's.

[BikePacker]

Related to FCC data (reported to about to be : ) required.... an excerpt from the ARRL 12/3 weekly newsletter:

"...'FCC to Require Email Addresses on Applications'
Amateur radio licensees and candidates will have to provide the FCC with an email address on applications, effective in mid-2021. If no email address is included, the FCC may dismiss the application as defective. The FCC is fully transitioning to electronic correspondence and will no longer print or provide wireless licensees with hard-copy authorizations or registrations by mail....."

Makes me wonder (and, in my case - that is always dangerous : ) ...
if they are going 'electronic' I wonder if they intend to drop the physical location requirement.

[Bombero]

Hey BikePacker..

A logical answer to your comment...You just never know what Uncle Charlie has up his sleeve.

Bombero

[MDYoungblood]

I've come to the conclusion it isn't a big deal since all the antennas sticking up in the air is a dead give away anyway. If someone is so interested and sees the antennas here, all they need is my address and punch it into the city website to pull all the permits I got when installing them, that info to is public record.
[mention]BikePacker[/mention] I haven't read that yet but I have an email included in my FRN, I think they used it the last time I updated my info to notify me plus a form letter in the mail. It is basically because they are going paperless.

Good thing, I filed and got my vanity, included a renewal so my license is good to 2030, so if that $50 charge for anything they do goes into effect, I beat it.

3's

Greg

[Blue Ox2]

I've come to the conclusion it isn't a big deal since all the antennas sticking up in the air is a dead give away anyway. If someone is so interested and sees the antennas here, all they need is my address and punch it into the city website to pull all the permits I got when installing them, that info to is public record.
[mention]BikePacker[/mention] I haven't read that yet but I have an email included in my FRN, I think they used it the last time I updated my info to notify me plus a form letter in the mail. It is basically because they are going paperless.

Good thing, I filed and got my vanity, included a renewal so my license is good to 2030, so if that $50 charge for anything they do goes into effect, I beat it.

3's

Greg

Smart Greg.
I'll need to look into that ASAP.

73,

KC3LAV/Mike

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Merge Complete


Added 36 minutes 27 seconds after previous.

Good thing, I filed and got my vanity, included a renewal so my license is good to 2030, so if that $50 charge for anything they do goes into effect, I beat it.

What is the best link to use to apply for a Vanity plate?

73,

KC3LAV/Mike

[TNT1450]

Makes me wonder (and, in my case - that is always dangerous : ) ...
if they are going 'electronic' I wonder if they intend to drop the physical location requirement.

I don't think there is a physical location requirement any more.

[BikePacker]

Went to the FCC.gov site ( [Please login or register to view this link] )
and added my email address per anticipated upcoming requirement,
that 'might' cost $50 - a worthy question posted below ...
not knowing if the $50 fee will apply but that the email is going to be required ...
thought I may as well see if I can get the email update 'in there' with no $50 fee before hand.
I found that at this time it does not cost to add the email address.
At the same time I saw that post office box addresses are now permitted
just as previously posted by others herein this forum string.
What time will tell, I guess, is IF the to be required email addresses will be posted out there as public information
just as Ham Radio Licencee street &/or post office box addresses are now.....
when Querying on Amateur Radio Licensees I could not find an email address field being out there at this time...
maybe I missed it?

[MDYoungblood]

That $50 cost (not in effect yet) doesn't affect changes in the existing license like address etc., only upgrades ie; tech to general, general to extra, and I read it will be in the initial cost of the in obtaining a license. They say this is to cover costs of manpower but the funny thing is 99% of it is done electronically. As for the email, it isn't seen by the public (yet).

3's

Greg

[TNT1450]

That $50 cost (not in effect yet) doesn't affect changes in the existing license like address etc., only upgrades ie; tech to general, general to extra, and I read it will be in the initial cost of the in obtaining a license. They say this is to cover costs of manpower but the funny thing is 99% of it is done electronically. As for the email, it isn't seen by the public (yet).

3's

Greg

From what I understand it also covers renewals as well. My license is coming up for renewal in 2024, so hopefully this gets defeated by then. Maybe with a new administration coming in we'll get someone at the head of the FCC with some common sense. Ajit Pai is a terrible FCC commissioner and I was never so happy to hear that he's stepping down.

[NYgnat]

I too am also licensed. The main reason to have a P.O. Box listed as your address on your license. Simple fix, but at least $140 (or more, depending on your community,) a year cost for that privacy.
The upcoming cost increase is for renewals, and everything EXCEPT adding emails or address changes. Everything else will have the $35 charge, ONCE it is announced it is coming. Then the standard delay once in effect. (Just like the current MPE changes going into effect 5/3/21 to be completed/fulfilled by 5/3/23.)

[nosaj]

It really doesn't bother me. As there are so many other important things to worry about.
I mean don't sweat the small things. You can what if yourself to high heaven and nothing happens other than you are constantly worried and the joy removed from your life.
Don't be an **Censored** and most people won't bother you goes a long way.
nosaj
N1EBC