No Space in Ham Radio Callsign License Plates

DMV Puts Space in Ham License Plates

2010-12-26T19:27:00.000-08:00

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

NEW POLICY - ADD A SPACE IN HAM RADIO CALLSIGN LICENSE PLATES

To Report Ham License Plates You Have Been Issued with a Space or,

to Support the Effort to Remove the Space

(click on Blog Archieves at the Upper Left for More (Petitions, Sample Letters, Complaints/Response, News Items .......)

This is more than a personal case of an individual California ham running up against the
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) bureaucracy in an effort to get amateur radio license plates. This is a case of the DMV changing it policy without public comment or notice by inserting a space in FCC issued callsigns on license plates. This new policy impacts every ham in California, and may set an anti-ham radio precedent for the other 49 states. Even if you have ham plates without a space, should those plates get stolen, fall off, get damaged or you change your call, you will get plates with a space in your callsign.

I, Cliff Cheng, Ph.D., WW6CC, have been trying to get amateur radio license plates “WW6CC” for 7 months (June 2007 to Dec. 2007). I have taken time off work and stood in line at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices 5 times. DMV has issued me 3 temporary paper license plates during my 7 month wait and given me nothing but a bureaucratic runaround.

DMV requires a copy of a ham’s FCC license to be attached to the ham plate application. Even if you fill out the application correctly (no space in the callsign) and your FCC license does not have a space in the callsign, DMV issues vehicle registration cards with a space in the callsign, i.e. WW6 CC. Each DMV clerk I dealt with said DMV’s software automatically puts the space in. I told DMV numerous times at each turn to make sure there is no space in the plates. Every time I said this, I was assured there would not be a space.

A month ago (Nov. 2007) I complained about waiting for 7 months without the plates I paid for, the check was cashed, the 5 trips to the DMV and the 3 temporary paper license plates and runaround DMV bureaucrats were given me. I wrote California State Assemblyman, Mike Feuer, 42nd Assembly District. Within 5 days of Assembly staffer Josh Englander taking on the case, I got plates – but only they read – “WW6 CC” (note the space in the call sign).

I thought this was a mistake; a mistake I warned them, and Josh not to make. I asked Josh how to send the plate back and get a correct one; thinking, at this point, the space was a clerical error.

Josh said a new manager at DMV is in charge of issuing licenses plates and started putting spaces in plates as a matter of policy 3 week ago (Nov. 2007). Josh said the new DMV Manager thinks unless a call sign plate has a space it is a vanity plate. The DMV thinks unless a call sign plate has a space in it, police and firefighters will think it is a vanity plate.

I was floored by this backwards argument! First, I pointed out the fact that the call sign system is governed by international treaty of which is U.S. is only one signatory. The FCC has a block of call signs it may issue but may not arbitrarily places spaces in call signs. DMV has no authority to place spaces in call signs. Josh said DMV told him they are not subject to the FCC and can do whatever they please with their license plates. I said that by international treaty through the FCC’s authority I am the sole grantee of WW6CC. No one else in the world may use his call sign. No one has authority to put spaces in call signs, even the FCC. Josh repeated DMV’s argument.

I also pointed out that the U.S. Constitution requires full faith and credit be extended from one level of government to another. DMV is to recognize FCC issued callsigns and may not change them.

I also stated as a customer of the DMV, I applied and paid for a ham callsign license plate which were ordered and paid for as - WW6CC. DMV required a copy of my FCC license be attached to the application which said WW6CC. DMV accepted the application and cashed my check by delivered another product which is not only unacceptable to this but other similar customers too. DMV accepted application and cashed my check without objection to the order saying “WW6CC” but failed to provide the ordered product for 7 months until a lawmaker’s office intervened. In this case, the Customer was given a secession of 3 temporary paper license plates for a short duration which required him to take time off work and go to DMV offices and stand in line 5 times. DMV should provide the product as it was ordered.

I also argued that DMV has issued 10,000s of ham plates on the road which have the correct call sign on them. DMV said to Josh that they will not recall the plates but will only issue ham plates with spaces in the call signs from now on. Anyone with common sense knows that with two kinds of plates on the road, it creates confusion which DMV has unnecessarily created.

I said to Josh that DMV should fix its computer system so it does not automatically puts spaces in. I also relayed that a few ham friends who have been stopped by the police were told they were driving without a valid license plates because the police had not put a space in the plate when it was entered into the DMV computer. I pointed out, the police may think an innocent ham is a criminal if the license plate does not check out. I expressed concern that the police may arrest an innocent ham or there might be a confrontation; all because the DMV has not fixed its apparent software problem.

I complained to Josh that if DMV really believed in it policy they should recall all the plates without spaces and reissue them with spaces, at no charge to the hams of course. Josh said DMV does not want to spend the money to do this. I believes this is only half-true; that if DMV attempted to take away all the license plates with the correct call sign and them replace them with plates with spaces in the call sign there would be a outrage that would force them to change policy.

I also complained DMV has changed policy without public comment. Josh said DMV told him they are correcting a mistake in not enforcing the policy which should have been followed all along. Cliff said he is not a lawyer but wonders if the Brown Act (open meetings) was violated.

Vanity Plate Fees

Later as I researched the issue, I discovered an August 1977 JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab) Amateur Radio Club newsletter http://jplrecclubs.caltech.edu/radio/calling/1977/aug/aug77.html that told of California Senate Bill 915 which was controversial for it initially wanted to charge hams who ordered ham plates a vanity plate fee. The ham community was successful in defeating the legislation. The vanity plates fee, currently, $41 and up, per year, depending on which plate style you choose. I wonder if DMV declaring callsign plates without the space are vanity plates, is an effort to circumvent SB915 and charges us extra fees – knowing we object to DMV tampering with our FCC issued callsigns?

Getting the Word Out

I sent an email to my ham friends in LA about this problem to see if they had a similar experience. Apparently the email was in-turn widely circulated and posted in multiple places.

One of those hams responding was D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, founder of the World Radio Relay League and Editor of EmComm Monthly. DW lost one of his correct (no space in the call sign) ham plates after a long road trip. He drove 130 miles to the nearest DMV office to order a replacement. He was given “K6 SOJ.” He was told by DMV, that the FCC required the DMV to put a space in callsign plates. DW called FCC and was told “that’s not true.” If you lose your ham plates (with no space), or they are stolen or damaged, and you want a new one, DMV will replace it with a plate with a space in your callsign.

I called both Directors of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL, national organization of amateur radio) who cover Calif. He left a message for Dick Norton, N6AA, Southwest Director, who covers southern Calif. Dick said he would write a letter to Assemblyman Feuer.

I spoke to Bob Vallio, W6RGG, Pacific Director who covers northern Calif. Bob’s inquiry had stalled after DMV told him federal law required a space in ham plates. Yet DMV failed to provide citation to the alleged law. At least D.W. Thorne, K6SOJ, if not many other hams who complained, were told the same thing. Bob pointed out none of the other 49 states puts spaces in call sign license plates. Bob called ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, Esq., W3KD. Chris said there was no such federal law.

I also had initiated a complaint to the FCC’s LA Field Office about the DMV’s preemption of FCC policy and U.S. treaties.

Action

Cliff requests all California amateur radio clubs and emergency communications groups place on the agenda of their next meeting an item to inform their memberships about this problem and to either write a letter of protest or circulate a petition for members’ signatures (sample letter and petitions on http://www.nospacehamplates.blogspot.com/).

Individual hams can be effective by writing and mailing or faxing a letter to their Calif. State Assemblyperson, State Senator, Governor and the Chairs of the Assembly and State Senate Transportation Committees, which have oversight over the DMV:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
300 So. Spring St., 16h floor
LA CA 90013
(213) 897-0319 (fax)
Attn: Karen Kukaren
Emails are not as effective as hard copy.

*

Senator Alan Lowenthal
California State Senate
27th District
Chair, Transportation & Housing Committee

115 Pine Ave, Suite 430
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: (562) 495-4766
Fax: (562) 495-1876

Serving the communities of: Artesia, Avalon, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Florence-Graham, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, Signal Hill, South Gate, and Willowbrook.

*

Assemblyman Pedro Nava
35th Assembly District
Chair, Assembly Transportation Committee
Chair, Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security

District Offices:
Santa Barbara County
101 W. Anapamu Street
Suite A
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tel: (805) 564-1649
Fax: (805) 564-1651

Ventura County
201 E. Fourth Street
Suite 209-A
Oxnard, CA 93030
Tel: (805) 483-9808
Fax: (805) 483-8182

*

To find your Calif. State Assemblyperson and State Senator, click
http://www3.capwiz.com/y/dbq/officials/
Usually Assemblypeople give better service to their constituents than State Senators or the Governor.

Please copy your letter to Cliff, WW6CC@arrl.net and Office of Assemblyman. Mike Feuer, Josh Englander, Josh.Englander@asm.ca.gov, put in the subject line: No Space in Ham Plates.

If you want to do more, call your Assemblyperson’s office and call Josh Englander at of Assemblyman. Mike Feuer’s office (310) 285-5490 and express your opinion to him.

Writing the DMV directly does no good. Let the DMV see the opposition to their policy from lawmakers to whom they are accountable to.

Photo - Defaced Plate: David Towle, W6VNQ's Wrongfully Issued Ham Plates

2010-12-25T22:19:00.000-08:00

Photo - Deface Hamplate - Michael Greenspun, N4VAL

2010-12-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

Photo - Defaced Plate: Jack Christenden, K6ROW's Wrongful Ham Plate

2010-12-25T19:05:00.000-08:00

Photo - Defaced Plate: Andres Junge, N6NU's Wrongfully Issued Ham Plates

2010-12-25T17:10:00.000-08:00

Andres Junge, N6NU
Note - This plate has 2 spaces in it.

Photo - Defaced Plate, Kevin Henderson, KV6H's Plates

2010-12-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

Sample Petition

2010-12-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

P E T I T I O N
Amateur Radio Callsign Consistency Act

We the undersigned support the Amateur Radio Callsign License Plate Consistency Act – “The California Department of Motor Vehicles is required to issue amateur radio callsign license plates so that the callsign appears on the plates exactly as it was issued by the Federal Communications Commission. California Department of Motor Vehicles may not charge a vanity license plate or any other special fees for amateur radio callsign license plates other than a one-time printing fee.” We oppose the Calif. Dept. of Motor Vehicles policy and practice of putting a space in FCC issued callsigns on new and replacement amateur radio callsign license plates (example below) and declaring these plates to be vanity plates and charging yearly vanity plates fees.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.nospacehamplates.blogspot.com/
(To Signature Gatherers, thank you for collecting signatures. Please email Cliff Cheng, Ph.D., WW6CC, WW6CC@arrl.net when finished).

1. _________________________________________________________________
(name, callsign, email)
___________________________________________________________________
(address)

2. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

1. _________________________________________________________________
(name, callsign, email)
___________________________________________________________________
(address)

2. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

5. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

6. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

7. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

8. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

9. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

10. _________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Sample Letter to Calif. Legislature

2010-12-24T18:38:00.000-08:00

There are many letters to DMV posted on this site that can be used as examples.

Got It!

2008-12-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

In June 2008 I found one of the seven 6th call district 1x2 or 2x1s which have my initials had become available. I immediately applied for AC6C. By this point my corrected WW6CC plates had not arrived.

In July 2008, the day AC6C was granted, my corrected WW6CC plates arrived. Since WW6CC was no longer my callsign, I had to order AC6C plates. After a few months, DMV sent me another WW6CC plates (no space). There was trouble getting corrected, as the contact person in DMV was on leave and then transferred to a new job. I finally got AC6C plates in late-October 2008.

No Corrected Plates Yet, 5-2-08

2008-05-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

Update

Here is it May 2, 2008 and I and other hams still have not yet gotten our corrected ham callsign license plates from the DMV yet. I applied for them on Feb. 11, 4 business days after they were available. If you count from when I first ordered ham plates, it has been a year and 1 month! Some of hams got their plates already.

Cliff, WW6CC

No Corrected Plates Yet, 4-4-07

2008-04-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Update

I have heard from several of our California ham friends who have not yet gotten their corrected plates from the DMV. I applied for them on Feb. 11, 4 business days after they were available. I have waited for 7 weeks. If you count from when I first ordered ham plates, it has been a year!

Some of hams got their plates within a few weeks. I finally got through to DMV today and was told that their have been several lockdowns at Folsom Prison, where the plates are made. The prisoners have not been allowed to make license plates. DMV said it would take a few more weeks to catch up.

Cliff, WW6CC

Joe Kao, N6KAO, Waiting Since Sept. 2007

2008-03-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

my name is joe, n6kao. i am too a victim of the "space in ham callsign license plate". when i received my plate in late jan, i thought dmv made a mistake by adding a space. later i found out from a lady in special plate unit in sacramento that dmv purposely put the space in, then decided to remove it due to compliants from ham operators statewide.

just a quick history of my journey....

late sept 07 - went to dmv and applied for a ham callsign plate. they took my original plate away and gave me a red sticker to put on window (temporary registration).

mid nov 07 - received registration paper and sticker, but no plate.

late nov 07 - temp reg expiring and still didn't receive plate. went back to dmv for temp reg extensiono. i was told the order didn't go in system until late oct.

late jan 08 - received the plates (with space). went back to dmv and reordered another plate. local dmv officals had no idea why a space was inserted within callsign.

late feb 08 - again, found out the order didn't go into system until 1 month after initial inquiry.

mid mar 08 - received registration with sticker, but no plate.

currently i am still waiting for my plate to come. in feb when i found out from the dmv's special plate unit about the decision to remove space from callsign, i went online and found your blog entry.

my current temp tag is about to expire. i am about to go back to dmv and request for another extension for my temp reg.

it has been a frustrating experience so far. i've gone to dmv many times to get extension on the temp registration. i even asked them to give me as far out as possible, but local dmv office was reluctant to give out more than 2 months. after arguing with a manager, finally i was able to get 3 months temp registration.

thanks for reading.

joe

n6kao

David Towle, W6VNQ's Corrected Plate, 3-11-08

2008-03-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

David Towle, W6VNQ's corrected plate.

Another Ham Stopped by Cops, K6PIC

2008-03-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

Cliff,

Thank you so much for your efforts in getting the word out about the "Space" in the ham radio callsign license plate issue. I first noticed the extra space when I got my registration renewed in December and was slightly concerned but I've always known there was an issue of the plates being mistaken as "peronalized plates" by law enforcement when they call in for a 10-28.
In the past even renewing my registration at the DMV took some effort. They once had to call two supervisors over to finally figure out how to look up my vehicle in the computer. Seemed back then the addition of an astrik infront of the callsign would do a search and they would find it. It seems idiotic to think by adding a space they would solve if not complicate even further the whole issue. In the past especially when paying parking tickets I've alway put the astrick infront of the callsign hoping if they got confused that it would help them find my registration record.

Last night (March 3rd/4th, 2008) on my way home from work I was stopped by the police whom I assume had done a rolling 10-28 on my plate and they asked me all sorts of questions. First was if it was my vehicle. Then if I had just got it from a salvage yard. Then how long I had owned it. Then they told me there was no record of my vehicle in the computer database. They asked to see my registration which I produced and I pointed out it was a HAM Amateur Radio type 61 plate and suggested they should try the *. After waiting something like 10 minutes they came back and told me they still had no record of my vehicle and that I needed to clear it up with the DMV. She even said that the dispatcher whom she spoke with at the communication center had worked there 20 years and had no idea what it was or why it wasn't coming up. In my experience from visiting the com center in my county I found that a lot of the dispatcers are themselves hams and it was somewhat disturbing to be told I had to "fix" this discrepancy with the DMV.

If you have any sort of emailing list regarding this issue and the greater side issue of being stopped by the police please add my email kd6ixg@hotmail.com to the list. THANK YOU AGAIN for your effort to inform the greater ham community of this issue.

K6PIC

Christopher James Knight

1 of the 1st Corrected Plates, Cindy Engel, DVM, KA7UIA

2008-03-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

[Editor's Note - Dr. Cindy Engel, DVM, KA7UIA of Santa Barbara was the first to give us a .jpeg of her corrected plate. We heard the other week that a northern Calif. ham got his. We reached out to him but he did not respond].

Kong Lew's, KG6TN Corrected Plates, 2-28-08

2008-02-28T19:25:00.000-08:00

Kong Lew's, KG6TN Corrected Plates, 2-28-08

DMV Permits Non-Ham to Have Ham Plates

2008-02-28T18:35:00.000-08:00

R. Breidinger

Department of Motor Vehicles

Special Plates Unit – M/S 238

2415 1^st Ave.

Sacramento, CA 95818

Dear R. Breidinger,

Recently I applied for a set of Amateur Radio Operator call sign vehicle license plates. As requested, I included a copy of my current FCC license to operate under the call sign of N6MDA. Last week I noticed that the $21.00 check I had sent along was processed by my bank, and I expected the plates to arrive shortly!

Yesterday, I received a letter from the DMV which included my original application and paperwork and informing me: “Our records are indicating Amateur Radio Plates issued to another party on a currently registered vehicle. You cannot have 2 parties with same call letters. Contact FCC for correct call letters”.

After several calls, I finally talked to a woman named “Linda” in the Special Plates Unit. I thought the plate may still be registered to the person who had my N6MDA call previously, and had let it expire with the FCC back in 2005. She looked up the present owner and the history on the plate. She discovered the previous N6MDA had sold his truck and transferred the N6MDA plates to the new owner, who is not a licensed Amateur Radio Operator.

I asked the women at the DMV how can this happen? She advised me that when a new application for a call sign plate is made, the DMV requests a copy of a valid FCC Amateur Radio Operators license. However, when someone who has let their FCC Amateur Radio Operators license expire goes to renew the Ham plates, or sells their vehicle with the Ham plates on it, the DMV makes no effort to revalidate that this person still has a valid FCC license.

This process now allows people without a valid FCC license to display a Ham call sign on their vehicle. The DMV allowing this practice to occur is a serious matter for the following reasons:

It defeats the purpose of having Amateur Radio Operator call plates on vehicles to help identify Ham operators who are members of the state of California’s Auxiliary Communications Service, and who have been activated for an emergency.

It exposes the legally licensed Amateur Radio Operator, who actually holds the call sign, to the possibility of fines and even imprisonment if the person displaying the unauthorized plates should operate a mobile radio from his vehicle in violation of FCC rules, and another Amateur Radio Operator should report this violation using the call sign to the FCC.

I am requesting the California Department of Motor Vehicle to take the following actions:

Discontinue the practice of allowing Amateur Radio Operator call sign plates to be transferred along with the sale of a vehicle.

Put on the vehicle registration / renewal certificate that the plate number listed is that of an Amateur Radio Operator. As you require that upon request of original Ham plates a copy of the FCC license be included, you have the expiration date of such license. Consider the policy, that if a Amateur Radio Operator’s license has expired, then that person must send a copy of their renewed license along with their vehicle renewal.

That you immediately inform the present owner of the license plates N6MDA that they are not authorized to display these plates, and must take them to the nearest DMV office for exchange.

That you immediately process my application (enclosed) and send me the N6MDA plates as requested. Please make sure that they are made as required by the FCC with no spaces between the letters and numbers.

That you consider adding the text: “Amateur Radio Operator” to the license plate for positive identification. This is done for Veterans and Disabled, why not Amateur Radio Operators?

Your prompt action in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

M. Michael D’Amore (N6MDA)

CC: Senator Tom McClintock

State Capitol, Room 3070

Sacramento, CA 95814

DMV Calls Steve Gibson, K6KGO

2008-02-10T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hi Cliff,

I have an up-date for you and other hams. I received a telephone call from DMV special plates unit in Sacramento last Wednesday (2-6-08) and the technician that was calling asked me if I would like to have my ham plates reissued "without the space" in the call sign. My response to her was, of course, yes. She told me that she would place the order for me and that no follow-up paperwork would be required on my part and I would not be assessed any additional fee for the plates. She then told me that if I had already placed my 2008 registration sticker on the rear incorrectly configured plate (which I had) she would send me a new registration card with a new sticker. I was very impressed by DMV on this one. They recognized the error and then called me to get it corrected all without burdening me with extra paperwork or fees. I hope you and other amateur radio operators will benefit from this information. Please feel free to post either or both of my email messages. And thanks for getting the ball rolling on this issue, I for one appreciate it.

73,

-Steven Gibson, K6KGO

Lake Almanor, Plumas County, CA

ARRL Southwest Division Newsletter, 2-9-08.

2008-02-09T19:44:00.000-08:00

[Editor’s Note –To say “unpleasant confrontations” have occurred when hams have been stopped by the police, and the police have been unable to find their callsign license plate in the DMV computer is an understatement. Being stopped by the police can turn into a very serious matter. Such stops should be avoided. While to a police officer it is reasonable to stop a car whose plates are not apparently in the DMV computer, the cause of this is DMV computer defaults to putting a space into our callsign license plates. This issue has not been resolved].

On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 13:18:04 -0500 (EST), "ARRL SW Division"

Note: This message was inadvertantly delayed at ARRL HQ for approximately

40 hours. We apologize for the error. -- KE3Z

************************************************************

Here's your update on major items of interest to us in the

ARRL Southwestern Division...

************************************************************

California License Plate Issue Resolved

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has made it official that

Amateur Radio callsign license plates will again be issued without

spaces in the callsigns. Those who currently have plates with spaces

can get them exchanged. Information is on the DMV web-site at

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ham/ham_plate.htm .

Amateur Radio's case was made by a number of individuals including a

number of individuals who contacted DMV and/or their elected

representatives.

DMV apparently has several lists of license plate numbers, such as

regular automobile, motorcycle, commercial vehicle, and amateur radio.

Therefore California law enforcement personnel have to search their DMV

database computers for callsign plates under the "ham" designation.

Several people have reported that certain policemen were unaware of

this, and unpleasant confrontations have occurred. People are

suggesting fixes for this, such as putting the words "Amateur Radio" on

the plates. These suggestions are being politely passed on to DMV. In

the meantime, remind any officer stopping you that he must search for

ham plates.

California - Use of Cellular Telephone While Driving Law

After initial concern that California's law prohibiting use of a cell

phone while driving might be misapplied to use of Amateur Radio mobile

equipment, DMV's web-site clearly now states that the law, scheduled to

begin on July 1, does not apply to two-way radios. See

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/

ARRL Ignores Life Member Don Borden, NC6A's Complaint

2008-02-06T19:51:00.000-08:00

[Editor’s Note – Andy Oppel is ARRL’s Vice-Director Northern Calif. Bob Vallio is Director].

Andy, I was probably one of the first hams to get space ham plates and the lies from DMV. I immediately though "ARRL has to be told" I sent an email to Bob Vallio W6RGG informing him what was happening and also asked him what should be done to correct this. After two weeks of no response I sent him another email and again no response. As of today I have never received a reply to my emails.

I am a life member of the ARRL and have been a member for about 30 years. I'm very, very disappointed with Mr. Vallio and the entire ARRL Organization for the way they handled the ham space problem. All Mr. Vallio had to do was send me a short email telling me that the ARRL was working on the problem through legal channels and that he would keep California Hams advised of the progress.

Believe me if I was not an ARRL Life Member I would not be a member at all!!

Don Borden NC6A

Newstory: AR Newsline, 2-6-08

2008-02-06T19:08:00.000-08:00

AR Newsline Reports DMV Policy Change

There are 33 pages of comments from hams which followed the story.

http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?t=151949

DMV Reverses Policy: No Space, Feb. 6, 2008

2008-02-06T11:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ham/ham_plate.htm

Amateur Radio (HAM) License Plates

These plates are issued, upon request, to holders of Federal Communication Commission (FCC) amateur radio station licenses. The alpha-numeric series reflects the call letters assigned by the FCC (Vehicle Code §5005 and Revenue and Taxation Code §§10751, 10752).

If you have Amateur Radio (HAM) License Plates that have spaces between the numbers or letters and you would like plates without the spaces follow this link to the application. Complete the application and a Statement of Facts indicating that you wish to retain the old plates until the new plates arrive, at which time you will properly destroy the old plates. Mail both documents to the address on the bottom of the application form. No fees are required.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your Amateur Radio (HAM) license plates, please call Customer Communications at (916) 657-6560

Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2007 State of California

Update - Check DMV website

2008-02-06T03:42:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone:

I am away right now. I have received word from DMV and Assemblyman Feuer's office that we ought to check the www.DMV.ca.gov website after 10am in the morning. The message states that DMV will reverse its policy. Supposedly, those of who ordered and paid for callsign license plates from the DMV and instead received plates which have a space in the callsign may exchange them at no charge. Supposedly a procedure will be stated after 10am.

For 2.5 weeks, we have been hearing unconfirmed rumors about this outcome. DMV messages have been inconsistent throughout this process. For the last week, I have been stressing to DMV that they ought to correct a problem they created at no charge to us. A fraction within DMV wanted to charge us for a "change of plate." My arguement was that we need a "correction" at no charge. Until we see confirmation let us not get ahead of ourselves.

I asked a senior DMV official - why they were reversing policy? I was told it was due to the letters and petitions to legislative offices. When this official did not say it was due to lobbying efforts by ARRL, I asked if they had been working with ARRL? I was told no. They were unaware of ARRL.

The fact is, see emails below, ARRL has been critical of and attempted to stop those of us who received these plates from pursuing our legal right to redress. Also see John Ardnt, KG6S's site www.kg6sblog.calsage.com which points out ARRL took no action before the popular campaign forced them too. In order to purse a claim, the complainant must have legal standing; be a direct party. ARRL's standing was not recognized, see Assemblyman Feuer's response to ARRL on www.NoSpaceHamePlates.blogspot.com. Not only do we have a legal right to pursue redress, which can not be assigned or taken by ARRL, if we do not exercise those rights we lose them. ARRL also prematurely announced that it had resolved this dispute and that our letters and petitions had impeded their efforts. The fact is that the popular uprising by the hams of California has pressured DMV to change its policy!

I am away until next week and unable to answer emails. Good luck in checking the DMV site!

73s,

Cliff
Cliff Cheng, Ph.D., WW6CC
www.NoSpaceHamPlates.blogspot.com
Licensed Since 1975
Formerly: WN6JPA, WA6JPA, KI6CM
Life Member - ARRL, QCWA

Bob Vallio to Richard, me

show details Jan 4 (10 days ago)

Reply

Hi Cliff,

Here is the original message. While I was searching what I thought was all of my mail, I decided to take a look in my SPAM file, and there it was. I have learned that I must search my SPAM file separately, if I am to find the target word there. Sorry I did not realize that, but that's not how the search is supposed to work. I'll look into that.

Balbiani's response is full of weasel words, and does not address the obvious intent of California Vehicle Code Section 5005 that the license contain the call letters assigned by the FCC as shown on the amateur's license . Neither does his response address the false statement from his office that the spacing was being done to conform to federal requirements.

I'm not sure of the efficacy of your letter writing program, but since you have already chosen to launch it, there's little to be done. Please keep Dick and I advised of further actions you may undertake; preferably before their implementation. Thanks.

73, Bob -- W6RGG

WW6CC, Cliff ChengLoading...

Jan 5 (10 days ago)

WW6CC, Cliff Cheng to Bob, Dick,

show details Jan 5 (10 days ago)

Reply

Hi Bob:

Your email and our telecon last night offers no workable solutions,
just criticism of our grassroots campaign to reverse DMV's foolish
actions. You suggest we try to influence DMV. As I explained last
night this has been done and failed. From DMV's letter to Marvin
Munster, it is clear DMV has dug its heels in. From my years of
experience as a former LA City Commissioner and prior to that an
Advisor to the Calif. Fair Employment and Housing Commissioner and US
EEOC, and the advise I have gotten for political pros our method of
generating as a grassroots campaign to apply pressure from outside
onto DMV by way of petitioning the legislature is the way to go. Dick
has not mentioned his experience of government to me, have you any?

We respectfully ask you to reconsider your position. We welcome your support.

Cliff

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:59:02 -0800, "Andy Oppel" <andy@andyoppel.com>
said:
>
> >Hi Cliff,
>
> Bill Hillendahl forwarded your note to me. ARRL Pacific Division
> Director Bob Vallio, ARRL Southwestern Division Director Dick Norton,
> and I all ask that you hold off on letters and petitions and give us
> a chance to work this through channels. We have several people (all
> of whom are hams) working different angles on the issue, including an
> attorney who knows California state law, a professional lobbyist in
> Sacramento who is our state government liaison, and some guys in
> Southern California who have connections with the DMV. Our fear is
> that a letter writing or petition campaign at this time could
> undermine the efforts that are already underway.
>
> I know how frustrating government agencies can be, but one common
> characteristic is that things change slowly. So, it's going to take
> some time to resolve this. And if we decide that letters to
> legislators would help, we will put out a call to do so, and include
> you in that request.
>
> -- Andy Oppel, N6AJO
> ARRL Pacific Division Vice Director

Complaint - Steve Gibson, K6KGO

2008-02-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Cliff,

I have been following the blog on the "no space ham plates" issue. I received my amateur radio plates yesterday from DMV Headquarters and my configuration was "K6 KGO" as predicted. I called the special plates unit at DMV (916-657-8035) and the technician I spoke with was not aware of the issue. She took down my information and questions and stated that someone would call me back within 3 business days (she stated probably next Monday). I am just wondering what up-to-date information you may have. I haven't attached the plates to my car yet, pending receipt of the phone call promised by DMV. Is DMV providing any relief for the amateur community or is the issue still fluid? If it has been addressed and rectified, what is the next step in the process to get my plates imprinted correctly? Any information you can pass along to me will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

73,

-Steven Gibson, K6KGO

Lake Almanor, CA

Petition - Jun's Electoronics, 28 Hams Against DMV

2008-02-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

Jun’s Electoronics

Culver City CA

28 Signers of the Petition Against a Space in Amateur Radio Callsign License Plates

Jan. 2008

Bryce Anderson, K6TI

Topanga CA

Lonnie Bland, N6RBR

Redondo Beach CA

Walter Deutsch, KG6MZU

El Segundo CA

Richard Friedel, KB6OT

Redondo Beach CA

Gregory Hillendahl, KE6THC

Gardena CA

Paul In, KI6EL

Rosemead CA

Mario Ibarra, WS6C

Palmdale CA

Dale Jensen, K6ZTI

Culver City CA

Darin Jones, KC6UBP

LA CA 90043

Douglas Junge, K6BKB

Culver City CA

Donald Klein, KI6PMS

Culver City CA

Caskey Dickson, KV8O

La Cresenta CA

David Larson, AC9AC

Santa Barbara CA

Marcelino Martinez, KF6ILX

Compton CA

Mark Mountain, AI6MM

Agoura CA

Ernie Nairne, N6HY

LA (Mar Vista), CA

Walt Ordway, K1DFO

Palos Verdes, CA

Jeff Park, W6LLJ

Van Nuys CA

Chito Pastor, WW6CP

Culver City CA

Lee Roberson, K6OXJ

Inglewood CA

Joe Scholz, W6BTE

Manhattan Beach CA

Deanna Smitha, W6DWS

Simi Valley CA

Elie Tawil, K4ELE

San Dimas CA

Robert Taylor, K6VBI

Carson CA

Norman Watters, WG6W

Dominguez Hills CA

Western Amateur Radio Linking Assn., WA6LA

Redondo Beach CA

Jimmy Wunno, KA6WXZ

LA, CA 90065

Ray Wunno, KE6LE

Gardena CA

DMV Calls Tom Cagan, KB6NQW

2008-02-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

I just received a telephone call from Ms. Kathleen Rose at the California DMV. She is the New Deputy Director of Registration. She said "as of this day 4 February 2008, the space is gone". Most all who have written to the various state legislative offices and to Mr. Schwarzenegger's office should get a telephone call from her describing where you can apply for replacement plates at no fee.

de kb6nqw, Tom Cagan

DMV Sends Don Borden, NC6A a 2nd Set of Plates With a Space In It

2008-02-03T19:47:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know that the totally screwed up DMV just sent me another set of plates with the space. What a waste of our tax payer dollars!!!!

Don NC6A

ARRL Sacramento Valley Newsletter, 2-1-08

2008-02-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

From: ARRL SV Section [mailto:memberlist@www.arrl.org]
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 3:35 PM
To: hdtowle@frontiernet.net
Subject: Monthly Sacramento Valley Section News Summary

January Summary,

.....In California for many years now, our Department of Motor Vehicles has
issued call sign license plates to amateurs holding an unexpired amateur
operator's license. Starting a few years ago, DMV put a space on the license
plate (and on the registration document and in the data base) after the
number in the call sign. My call sign thus would appear as W6 KJ both on the
license plate and on my registration. Since my plates are 12 years old, only
the registration appears that way. The plates are correct. But for people
getting their plates recently, this 'space' issue has been an unnecessary
irritant.
Another aspect of the problem is if I was stopped by police and the plates
were run against the data base. My registration says W6 KJ, but the plates
don't have a space in the call sign. I would need to tell the officer that
it is an amateur radio plate and to make sure to insert the space or the
data base search might show the plate was not issued. After several SV
members complained about this I began researching the issue. I found online
a letter from the director of the DMV in which he noted he could not correct
the problem. The space had been inserted to differentiate between vanity
plates and amateur plates. This was an arbitrary decision. So I wrote to my
legislators requesting relief and advocated that others in the state do the
same. Two days later, but after many letters had been written before I got
into the act, an Assemblywoman in Lancaster, CA, got the answer from DMV for
which we had all hoped. DMV will remove the space from license plates and
our registrations. Thanks to many who acted on this issue, including our
Division leadership who had been working behind the scenes at 'various'
levels to correct the problem......

73, Ron Murdock, W6KJ, Sacramento Valley Section Manager

------------------------------

--------------------------------------
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section
Section Manager: Ronald D. Murdock, W6KJ w6kj@arrl.org

Rebuttal to EmComm Monthly - Marvin Munster, W6MJM

2008-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

I am sorry, I have to disagree with you here. The more letters and phone calls, the better. Nothing is worse than stopping a campaign in the middle of attention getting. This is ridiculous. It is not what my call sign is, it is what the CA-DMV want's it to be. No other state in the US puts a space in the call sign.

Marvin - W6MJM (or is it W6 MJM)

EmComm Monthly Reverses Editorial Policy, Feb. 2008

2008-02-01T06:02:00.000-08:00

CALL OFF THE DOGS! - UPDATE

Last month EM reported that the California Department of Motor Vehicles, arbitrarily and unannounced, had implemented a policy of inserting a blank space in the middle of some amateur call sign license plates. There was an enormous groundswell of protest. And, we did get their attention, as well as the attention of some members of the California Legislature. While we have no official policy change to report at this time, we have been asked that the letter-writing and telephone-calling campaigns be put "on hold" until the issue has been reviewed by the DMV and some California Legislators.

For additional information go to: www.NoSpaceHamPlates.blogspot.com

Kong Lew's, KG6TN Gets Call from DMV

2008-01-31T19:28:00.000-08:00

[Editor's Note - While the following is encouraging, it is not public notice or written notice of change. Where Kong speaks of a law maker, it actually was a DMV Manager who put the spaces in our ham callsign plates.].

Hi, Cliff,

My name is Kong Lew (KG6TN), and thought I would pass the word to you that
I will be receiving my California plate without the space in it.

I also have the same situation as you encountered. Each time I buy a new
car, I go ordered a new ham plate. Sometimes it come with a space, but I was able to
go to DMV and reorder a new one. Until last March, when I bought
another new car, and the ordered plate came in June with a space.
After many tries at DMV office with no luck, I called Sacramento many many
times, and worked myself up the supervisor/managers with in the DMV
division. They brought up this space issue in their meetings, and just
not able to convince the law maker to fix the space, they even called
FCC who indicated space is fine if the state choose to do so.

Anyway, after three months and out of the blue, DMV special plate unit
manager Teresa Crockett called me this morning, and informed me they now could
order plates without the space, and will order me a set of plates.

BTW, all ham call after the number would be a space, not after the 3rd.
I was told when DMV clerk enter a code for Ham plate registration, they're forced
to put a space after the number, and plate maker make it accordingly.
That was how the mainframe was coded back in 1970's and no one
updated.

73 de KG6TN <--no space
Kong

Petition - HRO - Anaheim

2008-01-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

Ham Radio Outlet (HRO)

Anaheim CA

15 Signers of the Petition Against a Space in Amateur Radio Callsign License Plates

Late-Jan. 2008

[Editor’s Note – A big thanks to Janet Margelli, KL7MF, for her assistance in letting us post this petition].

Debra Bickford, KC6TLI

Harvey Bickford, WA6BJY

San Juan Capistrano CA

Bob Ciampa, N6JUK

Orange CA

Robert Evans, WB6IXN

Santa Ana CA

John Gothard, K6JFG

Lake Forrest CA

Christopher Hunter, W6KFW

Santa Ana CA

Stephen Jarvis, KG6GJM

Bellflower CA

Steven La Connie, K6CZA

Glendale CA

Janet Margelli, KL7MF

Garden Grove CA

Mike Marin, WW6MM

Laguna Hills CA

Phillip Pacier, AD6NH

Anaheim CA

James Reno, K6MIV

Long Beach CA

Charles Robles, KF6TXI

Tustin CA

Mike Slygh, KI6IRA

Mission Viejo CA

Neil Smith, K6KWI

Anaheim CA

ARRL Prematurely Declares Resolution

2008-01-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

[Editor's Note - While there have been rumors of resolution, the DMV has not made an official or even informal statement. The active complaintants have checked with their State Senators and Assemblypersons and they have told us they have heard nothing of a resolution. Please do not spread rumors!].

From: nccc-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:nccc-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of xxxxx xxxxx Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 1:20 PM To: NCCC Reflector Cc: n2rhv@arrl.org Subject: [NCCC] DMV & space on plates

Bill Dale (N2RHV) the SCV Section Manager, announced at the SVECS breakfast meeting today that this issue had been resolved favorably for the hams. I got a call from that Special Processing Unit at the DMV yesterday to tell me my long-awaited (8 months) plates had been re-ordered and should be here in 2-3 weeks so we'll see if Bill is right. I'll let you all know either way. 73, xxxxx, x6xx

Lighting Bolts and Space , Michael Farley, KC6SYT

2008-01-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Cliff,

I hope the California DMV doesn't add a lighting bolt on the license plate it mite be confused for a Gang sign of Aryan Brotherhood or at least a ZZ Top music fan. By add a space you change the whole meaning of word such as,

POL ICE
SHE RIFF
SW AT
CH P
FI RE
EM T
91 1
DM V
BOM B
US A

73's

Michael

Doubts of DMV Change in Policy, David Towle, W6VNQ

2008-01-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

From my perspective DMV has not caved, as yet, and if they had it would bejust like a bureaucratic organization like DMV not to publicly announce their being wrong. Based on the call from Senator Aanestad's office there has been no resolution. When Martha from Aanestad's office talked to Martha in Assemblyman LaMalfa's office there was only a discussion regarding La Malfa's office talking to DMV and they were waiting for the result of that meeting. Yes, I remember the issue during the campaign.

ARRL can send out all the emails they want requesting we stop writing, but until they provide some evidence that they are in fact in negotiations with the State I will continue to write letters and talk with my representatives. Why the secrecy? They are very open in issues of antenna restrictions and BPL. Like I said earlier, I will not believe DMV has "caved" until I have the correct plate in my hands.

73,

David

Ron Tamburello, K6RG Doubts About DMV "Policy Change"

2008-01-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

[Editor's Note - A week ago there were some who said DMV will relent and stop stamping ham callsign license plates with spaces in them. This news has not been confirmed].

Another week has passed and, no surprise, there has been no "announcement" from the DMV about the call plates. It has been suggested that whatever transpires behind closed doors, there may well be no announcement, rather (hopefully) just a quiet return to the previous "policy" of not inserting an intervening space in the call signs. We must rely upon the recipients of new plates to see how this plays out... if indeed, there is any change in policy at all.

Ron Tamburello K6RG

News Item: World Radio, Feb, 2008

2008-01-25T20:04:00.000-08:00

World Radio, Feb. 2008 reprints Amateur Radio Newsline story on the Calif. DMV placing a space in amateur radio callsign license plates.

Opposition Letter: Craig Sharrow, K9LEG

2008-01-24T20:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Governor Schwartzenegger, Senator Migden and Assemblyman Huffman:

This is to advise you of a situation concerning a completely unexpected change in the California Motor Vehicle Department’s production of license plates with Amateur Radio callsigns. The license plates are now apparently produced with a space between parts of the callsign. I request your support toward restoring the long-standing production of license plates with the callsigns presented in unaltered form.All 50 states and the District of Columbia issue vehicle license plates with Amateur Radio callsigns on them. At times these permit easy identification of participants in emergency communications.The Federal Communications Commission issues callsigns with between four and six characters to holders of Amateur Radio licenses. The callsigns begin with the letter A, K, N, or W. There is a number in the callsign. The number 6 was issued to stations in California, and lately the FCC has permitted people who move from California to retain their 6th district callsigns. In fact, the FCC now allows selection of callsigns with any number from 0 to 9 by license holders anywhere in the USA.The Callsigns have one or two characters, followed by a number, followed by one to three characters. Typical of callsigns are AA6VV, AD6D, K6ABC, KD6XYZ, N6ZZ, N8QXQ, W6AAA, WB6ZYX, WW6CC, and WX6X.In all my years as a licensed amateur, I have never heard of a state issuing license plates with a space between parts of the callsign. It would feel no more appropriate than someone sending you correspondence with a space between parts of a person's name, such as Ar nold Schwa rzenegg er.

On behalf of myself and other licensed Radio Amateurs in California, I request that you take steps to restore the full callsigns, without introduced spaces on the California Amateur Radio license plates.

California Vehicle Code section that applies to amateur radio license plates:
Vehicle Code Section 5005:
5005. (a) Any person holding an unexpired amateur radio stationlicense issued by the Federal Communications Commission may, afterthe requirements for the registration of the motor vehicle have beencomplied with, also apply directly to the department for speciallicense plates, and the department may issue special plates in lieuof the regular license plates. The special license plates shall beaffixed to the motor vehicle for which registration is sought and, inlieu of the numbers otherwise prescribed by law, shall display theofficial amateur radio station call letters of the applicant asassigned by the Federal Communications Commission."
NOTE: The FCC Does not issue Call Signs with spaces in them.

I support the proposed Amateur Radio Callsign License Plate Consistency Act –

“The California Department of Motor Vehicles is required to issue amateur radio callsign license plates so that the callsign appears on the plates exactly as it was issued by the Federal Communications Commission. California Department of Motor Vehicles may not charge a vanity license plate or any other special fees for amateur radio callsign license plates other than a one-time printing fee.” We oppose the Calif. Dept. of Motor Vehicles policy and practice of putting a space in FCC issued callsigns on new and replacement amateur radio callsign license plates (example below) and declaring these plates to be vanity plates and charging yearly vanity plates fees."

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Yours truly,

K9LEG
FCC Issued Amateur Radio Call Sign

Craig M. Sharrow
xxxxx xxxxxx xxx
San Anselmo, CA

Stopped by the Cops: Robert Maller, WT6A

2008-01-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

Cliff,

Thank you for calling attention to the DMV and its policy of "augmenting" call signs on license plates. My call is WT6A and my vehicle license plates are correct. My plate was issued sometime in 1986. My vehicle registration shows "WT6 A". In my case they stuck two extra blank characters into it. The result is that I have been pulled over at least four times by law enforcement. They run the plate as WT6A and it just doesn't match "WT6 A". Hopefully something can be done about this.

73,

Robert, WT6A

Pulled Over by Cops x4: Robert Maller, WT6A

2008-01-22T20:26:00.000-08:00

Cliff,

Thank you for calling attention to the DMV and its policy of "augmenting" call signs on license plates. My call is WT6A and my vehicle license plates are correct. My plate was issued sometime in 1986. My vehicle registration shows "WT6 A". In my case they stuck two extra blank characters into it. The result is that I have been pulled over at least four times by law enforcement. They run the plate as WT6A and it just doesn't match "WT6 A". Hopefully something can be done about this.

73,

Robert, WT6A

United Radio Amateur Radio Club Newsletter, San Pedro, CA

2008-01-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Member Newsletter of the United Radio Amateur Club Page 7 of 13
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
NEW POLICY - ADD A SPACE IN HAM RADIO CALLSIGN LICENSE PLATES
To Report Ham License Plates You Have Been Issued with a Space or, to Support the Effort to Remove the Space
email, Cliff: WW6CC@arrl.net

KG6S' Blog Disputes ARRL's Call to End Hams' Spontaneous Grassroots Protests

2008-01-20T19:39:00.000-08:00

http://kg6sblog.calsage.com/?p=13

News Item, 1-19-08: This Week in Amateur Radio (TWAIR)

2008-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ _/_/_/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ his _/ _/ _/ eek _/ n _/_/_/_/ mateur _/_/_/_/ adio _/ _/_/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/
-- North America's Premier On-The-Air Amateur Magazine Service -- http://www.twiar.org/programs/text/twiar770.txt
TWIAR is available on the web via download, streaming, or podcast at www.twiar.org. Audio is offered in MP3, MP4 (aac) Windows Media (WMA) and for those on dial up, low bit rate Real Audio TWIAR and TWIARi are now both available via Apple I-Tunes and via Podcasts.Yahoo.com podcast distribution networks, among others.

Weekly on the W0KIE Satellite Radio Network and WBCQ 7.415 Megahertz Shortwave * * *

CELEBRATING 14.81 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HAM RADIO COMMUNITY * * *

Here is a summary of the news items and special features covered inEdition #770 of "This Week in Amateur Radio", and "This Week in Amateur RadioHeadline News". North Americas premier on-the-air audio news magazines, forthe week ending January 19, 2008. This week's edition of This Week in Amateur Radio comes to you anchored byJay Silvio, W9WMU, reporting from our southern news bureau in Richmond,Virginia, and by Mark Phillips, G7LTT, reporting from our metro news bureauin New York City, by Wayne Nelms, N4DCL, reporting from our mid-atlantic newsbureau in Asheville, Pennsylvania, and by Larry Guerrera, W2LAG, reportingfrom our metro news bureau in Jehico, Long Island, and by Rowe Hudson, KO4PK,reporting from our southern news bureau in Naples, Florida. Mixing, editing, and additional anchoring by George Bowen, W2XBS at ourheadquarters facility in Albany, New York.

THIS WEEKS PROGRAM RUNNING TIMES:--------------------------------*

FULL VERSION of This Week in Amateur Radio runs 102 minutes. -------------------------------------------*

HEADLINE NEWS VERSION of This Week in Amateur Radio runs 62 minutes. SPECIAL PROGRAM NOTES: * Closed circuit advisory and weekly program promos are available as a separate audio file download.

CONTENT:-------Stories covered and special features in This Weeks edition:

01. Solar Cycle 24 is here!

02. Wisconsin amateurs respond to provide communications in tornado aftermath.

03. The Ducie Island DXpedition team is gearing up for February activation.

04. California Department of Motor Vehicles says it will not fix the spaces in new ham vanity callsign licene plates.

Call to Action - ARRL-Orange Section Manager, Carl Gardenias, WU6D

2008-01-18T18:54:00.000-08:00

Carl Gardenias, Section Manager, Orange Section, American Radio Relay League has said
"As a Citizen and Radio Amateur it is your responsibility to contact your Assemblyman for the State of California requesting that the Department of Motor Vehicles desist in placing spaces on our Amateur Radio license plates" http://www.wu6d.com/CA%20Amateur%20Plates.html
Orange Seciton includes Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Petition - Orange County Amateur Radio Club

2008-01-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

Orange County Amateur Radio Club

12 Signers of the Petition Against a Space in Amateur Radio Callsign License Plates

Jan. 18, 2008

[Editor’s Note – A big thanks to Janet Margelli, KL7MF, for her assistance in letting us post this petition].

Doug Britton, W6FKX

Huntington Beach CA

Steve La Connie, K6CZA

Glendale CA

Dan Dankert, N6PEQ

Tustin CA

Ken Diaz, WB9YCJ

Santa Ana CA

Bob Harrington, AA6PW

Garden Grove CA

Ken Konechy, W6HHC

Orange CA

Janet Margelli, KL7MF

Garden Grove CA

Ted Moody, KB6CUS

Lakewood CA

Chester Nelson, KI6GEN

Newport Beach CA

Phillip Pacer, AD6NH

Anaheim CA

James Reno, K6MIV

Long Beach CA

Sharon Spring, K6IRD

Wayne Spring, W6IRD (duplicate from So Cal DX Club, not counted)

Orange CA

DMV Re-Writes History, Mike Farley, KC6SYT

2008-01-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

Cliff,

Hope you have the best of luck resolving the new Amateur license plate issue.

The DMV recently update there web site, you may want to review it. Please go to the state DMV site and take a long hard look at those pictures, does any thing look odd ? http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/plates/specialplates.htm. All the plates are out of circulation (out of date> plates). The White plate with the red block letters was in uses from 1987 to 1992 The Golden State plate / sunrise plate 1982 to 1986. The Blue Plate 1969 to 1981. Currently California uses The Script/Lipstick plate.

Is the DMV trying to infer, this is the way it all way been done? Phys-ops or mind games maybe?

LOL
73s Mike, KC6SYT

Lawyer's Opinion - Pamela Royce, Esq., W6PNW

2008-01-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

[Note - Here is a link to a legal opinion Pamela Royce, Esq., W6PNW wrote regarding DMV Section 5005, which is at dispute. Most people read the statue as DMV shall stamp ham callsigns as FCC states. DMV says sicne the statue does not prohibit them from putting a space in, they may do so. We asked Ms. Royce for permission to post this opinion the week before KG6S and WU6D posted it on their sites but did not hear back from Ms. Royce. We link to these others sites for we still lack permission for posting on our site].

http://kg6sblog.calsage.com/?p=5

http://www.wu6d.com/CA%20Amateur%20Plates.html

Stopped by Nevada Highway Patrol, Larry Turner, K6RHA

2008-01-17T16:23:00.000-08:00

[Editor's Note - While Larry Turner, K6RHA did not get a ham callsign license plate with a space in it, he was pulled over by the police who had trouble finding his DMV record due to DMV's software defaulting to put a space in ham callsigns license plates. The space stamped on the plate is only part of a longstanding problem DMV has not addressed].

Hello everyone.

Very interesting stuff. Last year we were stopped in the Nevada desert by the NHP. When he ran our license, K6RHA, it came back as "unissued". I told him this could not be the case and I even showed him my ham license, registration and insurance card all indicating the same. After 20 minutes of many radio calls, which we were monitoring in the car, he actually called the DMV in Sacramento from his cell phone. We waited another 10 minutes for a return call from Sacramento with the reason that in the computer system for DMV our license place shows it as "K6 RHA" and not K6RHA.So the instructions to me were that if we were stopped again to always mention that our plate should be inputted with the space between the 6 and the R. The good news is that after all this the officer apologized and sent us on our way without a ticket for going 95.

73's to all.

K6RHA

Doesn't Want to Order Plate With a Space -

2008-01-17T16:16:00.000-08:00

Dr. Cheng -

I am very upset over this issue - as I had planned to wait until after the holiday season to order my plates 'W6SRA' only to discover this issue. I had tested it in the fall, and found that it was available, and looked at the various backgrounds with my wife to decide which plate to choose, and then we decided to wait, and now this! Please let me know how I can help - I searched for my local Reps, and found that they are:

Member District Number and Office Capitol Office
Cox, Dave
State Capitol
Suite 140 Room 2068
Sacramento, CA 94248-0001
(916) 783-8232
(916) 651-4001

33C Broadway
Jackson CA 95642
(209)223-9140

1020 N St. Rm 568
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916)327-9034

2094 East Main Street
Quincy CA, 95971
(530) 283-3437

Assembly Members
Member District Number and Office Capitol Office
Niello, Roger

State Capitol
Suite 501 Room 6027
Sacramento, CA 95841 Sacramento, Ca
(916) 349-1995
(916) 319-2005

I am teaching a Technician course starting tomorrow in Folsom, and I have over 70 people signed up, the last thing I want to tell them is that California has blundered again! Let's turn this around!

Thanks.

73's

Rich Asay, W6SRA

Opposition, Gene Nelson, KE5HXX

2008-01-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

Given that there is no distinguishing mark on California license plates indicating that the owner is an Amateur Radio operator, this new California DMV policy should be immediately rescinded so that spaces are again removed - so that the license plate matches the call sign that the FCC has assigned. This change is important to facilitate the important emergency communications work that hams perform on a volunteer basis.

Gene A. Nelson, Ph.D.
KE5HXX
San Luis Obispo, CA.

Complaint & Photo - Kevin Henderson, KV6H

2008-01-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Dr. Cheng,

I got my vanity plates in December and thought the DMV had just screwed up my plates (see picture). I hadn't bothered going to the DMV to get them fixed because I was too busy. Then I just happened to be listening to a podcast of This Week in Amateur Radio and heard the follow up story to the one in December. They gave you credit for starting the movement against the DMV.

Thanks for work and please let me know what I can do at this point to help.

73, Kevin Henderson - KV6H (with no spaces)

John Ardent, KG6S' New Anti-Space in Ham Plates Site

2008-01-16T16:04:00.000-08:00

John Ardent, KG6S has oput up a new website against the DMV putting a space in ham plates:
http://kg6sblog.calsage.com/

Recording of DMV Deception, Ray Montagne, AC6QJ

2008-01-16T14:39:00.000-08:00

[Editor's Note - Ray Montagne, AC6QJ has a recording of the DMV stating the FCC requires the DMV to put a space in callsign license plates. This is a false statement. Unfortunately, this website can not accommodate MP3 files].

Hello Cliff,

My callsign plates, AC6QJ, were issued by California DMV as ‘AC6 QJ’ (space between 6 and Q). DMV in Los Gatos, CA called Sacramento when I complained. Sacramento responded that this is due to the FCC issuing the call sign with a space. DMV had a photocopy of the license in their hands when they provided this answer...

Best Regards,
Ray Montagne
Cupertino, CA

Opposition - Richard Norton, WM6M

2008-01-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

Richard Norton, WM6M

12603 Carinthia Drive

Whittier, Ca 90601

January 16, 2008

George Valverde, Director
Department of Motor Vehicles
Fax: (916) 657-7393

Assembly Member Charles M. Calderon (CA)
Fax: 916-319-2158

Senator Ronald S. 'Ron' Calderón (CA)
Fax: 916-327-8755

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA)
Fax: 916-445-4633

Dale E. Bonner
(CA) Secretary of Business, Housing, and Transportation
Fax: 916-323-5400

Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chair
Transportation & Housing Committee
Fax: (562) 495-1876

Subject: No Space in Ham Plates

Gentlemen:

I am writing in response to the unacceptable position taken by the California Department of Motor Vehicles where the DMV is violating Section 5005 of the California Vehicle Code. It is clear to anyone reading Section 5005 of the CVC, which states in part, “…in lieu of the numbers otherwise prescribed by law, shall display the official amateur radio station call letters of the applicant as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.” The official amateur radio station call letters do not contain a space. Anyone who has ever used a computer keyboard, or even a typewriter, knows full well that a space is a character. The decision to insert a space is as invalid as a decision to insert a “Z” or a “9”. I am very strongly suggesting, in fact demanding, that the California DMV immediately recall these plates and issue new plates in compliance with CVC Section 5005.

I am aware of the statement by MARIO BALBIANI, Program Manager, Registration Policy Development, Department of Motor Vehicles Registration Operations Division which in which he says “The Department has been issuing HAM license plates since 1953 when the statute was first enacted. The placement or spacing of letters and numbers composed of the HAM license was originally determined by the FCC. Although the department is required by law to issue HAM license plates with specific call letters, spacing is not addressed in the statute and the department can exercise its administrative authority in this regard.

The Department adopted the spacing in order for law enforcement to differentiate between HAM license plates and other series license plates. Unlike other states, California does not distinguish the HAM license plates with a symbol or wording indicating the plate is a HAM plate.” In his statement he first expresses and opinion which is not supported by the Vehicle Code and then not only describes the real problem but the obvious disregard for the real solution, which is to apply a symbol or wording to indicate that the plate is a ham (Amateur Radio Operator) plate.

I am not the most creative person around, but keeping in mind that Amateur Radio Operator callsigns never contain fewer than four or more than six characters I can think of at least five easy solutions which not only eliminate the violation of CVC 5005 but also enhance the Amateur Radio Operator license plate:

1. Many current plates have silkscreened backgrounds such as the “Whale Tail” plates. It would be simple to use existing DMV technology to silkscreen a scene or even the words “Amateur Radio Operator” on the plate. An added benefit of this technology is that it would support multiple plates for multiple vehicles owned by the same Amateur Radio Operator with a “dash number” or “sub number”

2. California has introduced special symbols on the “Kids” plates, although I would not know how to keyboard the heart or hand, maybe using the asterisk for the star and the plus sign is easily understood. Apply that technology to add a symbol – the lightning bolt is almost universal – in the first position (NOT IN THE MIDDLE) of the Amateur Radio Operator license plate and then center the callsign over the remaining six positions on the plate.

3. Using the “letter over letter” technology used for the Olympic plates put the letters “A R” vertically in the first position and then center the callsign over the remaining six positions on the plate.

4. Use the technology behind the Dealer plate where the bottom of the plate is embossed with “Dealer” and the official license number is centered on the plate (note that there is no space in this officially issued number). An added benefit of this technology is that it too would support multiple plates with a “dash number” or “sub number”

5. Use the technology from the Firefighter plate with a nice silkscreen in the first character position and the callsign centered over the remaining six character positions.

I am forced to question, if I can come up with at least five solutions, and the 49 other states plus the District of Columbia can get it right, why can’t California? Since I was a little kid, quite a few years ago, my mother taught me the “two wrongs do not make a right”. Why is “two wrongs” now the policy of California?

Speaking of other states, most other states are ahead of California in the respect they show for mobile Amateur Radio Operators. Most charge a lower fee for these plates, and many states do not charge at all. Many states recognize these plates almost like a pass to get through police and fire lines to assist in emergency situations. Some states grant other special privileges such as the explicit authorization to monitor police and fire radio frequencies, again recognizing the service provided by hams. In terms of the assistance provided by hams, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department estimates that the direct support was $4,559,360 of free service to the citizens of Los Angeles County for 2007. That does not include direct support to the various cities within the county nor does it recognize that the figure is for labor only. It does not include the radio (and other) equipment, vehicles, fuel and other expenses, or the training and experience the hams brought with them. I shudder to think what would happen if the hams in California decided to treat the state with the same level of respect shown by the state to the hams. Perhaps Mr. Balbiani could sharpen his pencil and draft a letter to the Governor and Legislature that in these critical economic times the state needs to fins another billion (billion with a “B”) for manpower, equipment, vehicles, training and so forth to support the state and local emergency operations.

Finally, I would like to address the personal nature of the Amateur Radio Operator callsign. The word “unique” means one of a kind. My name, Richard Norton, is not unique. In fact, many of you may have already heard from Richard Norton, N6AA. I am a different Richard Norton, WM6M. In California license plate numbers are unique. Social Security numbers are unique only within the United States. Amateur Radio Operator callsigns are unique, period. Governed by international treaty, there is not another WM6M in the world. As such, these callsigns are very personal. Any attempt to monkey with them, especially in violation of statutes, becomes very personal. I invite any or all of you to poll some or all of the nearly 100,000 licensed hams in California and ask them how they feel about their callsigns. Come to think of it, if Mr. Balbini had asked even one ham we would not be in this mess, which has been carried nationally by the Amateur Radio Community exposing the country’s 675,000 hams to the inability of California to get it right.

Please assist in doing whatever it takes to fix this mess and issue plates that address the needs expressed by Mr. Balbiani while respecting the hams and their legal callsigns. I would expect the DMV to declare invalid all plates issued with a space and reissue at no charge correct and legal plates. Should this state join other states in issuing distinctive plates for Amateur Radio Operators I would expect that the DMV would be prepared to reissue distinctive plates for a very nominal fee to any ham wishing to upgrade existing plates. I also would like to see not only the correction to the DMV’s thinking expedited, but also the reissuance of plates expedited.

Thank you, and 73 (that’s ham-speak for “Best wishes),

Richard Norton, WM6M

(NOT Richa rd Nort on WM6 M)

Advisory, ARRL - Sacramento Valley, CA Section, Ron Murdock, W6KJ, Section Mgr.

2008-01-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

From: ARRL SV Section [mailto:memberlist@www.arrl.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:15 AM
Subject: California no space license plates

http://nospacehamplates.blogspot.com/ is a place you can get information
regarding the California DMV problem of getting it right when you pay for a
call sign license plate. I have written both of my legislators regarding
this issue. California is the only state in the union whose DMV is unable to
put out a correct call sign license plate. It is up to you if you feel this
can be corrected by your legislators, give them a jingle or write to them
today.
73,
Ron, W6KJ
SV SM

------------------------------

--------------------------------------
ARRL Sacramento Valley Section
Section Manager: Ronald D. Murdock, W6KJ w6kj@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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Complaint to Sen. Aanestad by David Towle, W6VNQ

2008-01-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

January 16, 2008

Hon. Sam Aanestad, Senator District - 4
200 Providence Mine Road, Suite 108
Nevada City, CA 95959

Subject: No Space in License Plates

Dear Senator Aanestad:

My name is David Towle, licensed Amateur Radio Operator, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated call sign of W6VNQ. The purpose of my letter to you is to illustrate some inconsistencies I have encountered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) processes and policies in issuing Amateur Radio license plates.

In February 2007 my call signed changed from KD6VNQ to W6VNQ. After receiving my new call sign, I took my old call sign license plates to the California Department of Motor Vehicles Office in my resident county of Colusa. I submitted the necessary forms along with a copy of my FCC issued license and requested a new plate with the new call.

In May my new plates arrived, but the plate contained the call sign N6VNQ, not my correct call sign of W6VNQ. It is also important to point out that the N6VNQ call sign contained no spaces, and was centered on the plate. This format is consistent with FCC issued call signs and what FCC Amateur Radio licensees would expect to see on a license plate. The plates were returned to the same DMV Office and I requested corrected plates be issued.

In late October the corrected plates arrived. However, this set contained a space between the 6 and the V (W6 VNQ), and was right justified. These plates were taken back to the same DMV Office and a request was made for the proper plates. I was told that certain plates were given spaces within the new DMV computer system. I explained that Amateur Radio call signs were issued by the FCC and do not contain spaces. When asked why the original incorrect plates N6VNQ were issued without a space the DMV representative had no explanation. The person waiting on me called the DMV Office of Registration while I was present and was told Amateur Radio license plates had always contained spaces. I have been a license Amateur Radio Operator for 15 years and have never seen an Amateur Radio license plate with a space.

After returning home I began calling the DMV Office of Registration to further clarify the situation. After three days of calling, someone answered the phone and I was able to speak with a representative. I was told that spaces have always been required for Amateur Radio license plates in California and nothing could be done to change the plates. I then asked the department representative if I returned the plates could I then apply for a Personalized license plate with my call sign. I was told no because the sequence resembled a Specialized license plate.

In early December of 2007 I took my plates with the space to a DMV Office in Yolo County. The person helping me was unfamiliar with Amateur Radio license plates and asked his supervisor and office manager for assistance. At first they could not find the license plate and my registration information in their computer, regardless of how the data was entered. I asked if they needed to enter a code of some kind and if so try “H”. They did this and found my plate and registration information. The office manager told me I could get the plate as I requested, with consecutive sequence of letters and numbers as well as center justified. She had me sign a new amateur radio plate request form and instructed the person helping me on how to complete the form so that I received the correct plate.

I received a phone call around 1:30 pm on January 15th, from a Technician in the California DMV Department of Registration processing department. I was informed that the paperwork I submitted in early December, 2007 at the Woodland DMV office could not be processed as requested. My request was for consecutive letters/numbers and centering on the plate. The Technician said that she was aware of issues "operators" in California had with spaces in their license plates so she checked with her supervisor before contacting me. She also said that the plate will still be identified as an Amateur Radio plate; however, the call sign would have a space. My response to her statement was that currently Amateur Radio license plates do not contain any markings to identify them as Amateur Radio plates. I interpreted her silence as being surprised at my statement. A new plate as I requested will not be issued and the one currently in my possession (W6 VNQ) must be used.

Amateur Radio Operators provide emergency support to many agencies across the state. The potential for law enforcement agency staff not able to properly identify Amateur Radio license plates is very real. If a DMV office can not locate the information how are law enforcement agencies expected to locate the information?

Like other Amateur Radio Operator’s in the state, I am proud to display my call sign on my vehicles license plate. I have paid for a State of California Amateur Radio license plate displaying my call sign as issued by the FCC. It was not until I received the second incorrect license plate (W6 VNQ) that I was told that a space would be inserted in the call sign. Based on call sign’s on license plates I have seen in the last 15 years I had no reason to believe that a space would be inserted.

I am not alone in this situation. Currently a petition is being circulated in the Amateur Radio community though-out California to address this issue. Assemblyman Mike Feuer’s (42nd District) office has also been contacted by Amateur Radio Operator’s in the Los Angeles area. I have also written a similar letter to Assemblyman La Malfa’s office in regards to this matter. A website to find resolution to these and other inconsistencies in California Department of Motor Vehicles processes and policies related to Amateur Radio license plate issuance can be found at: http://nospacehamplates.blogspot.com/.

Other states have placed symbols or wording such as “Amateur Radio” on call sign license plates to assist in identifying the registered owner as a Amateur Radio Operator. If the State of California can place various types of markings on Personalize license plates, why not for Amateur Radio license plates? Another option would be to stamp the plates with the correct sequence as shown on the FCC license, and educate users of the DMV license database of the proper code to differentiate Amateur Radio plates from Personalized plate.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. I look forward to working with your or your staff on this matter. If additional information is needed I am available to speak or meet with you at your convenience.

Respectfully,

David Towle, W6VNQ

xxx xxxxxx xxxx

Arbuckle, CA 9xxxxx

Follow-up Complaint to Assemblyman La Malfa, David Towle, W6VNQ

2008-01-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

January 15, 2008

Hon. Doug La Malfa, Assemblyman District 2
2865 Churn Creek Road, Suite B
Redding, CA 96002

Subject: No Space in License Plates

Dear Assemblyman La Malfa:

The purpose of this letter is to follow-up on the letter I sent to you on January 8, 2008. My reference is the last paragraph on page 1, continued to page 2, last two sentences (“Based on prior time frames I expect to receive the new plates sometime late February. Until then I will not know if the plates will be as requested or not”).

I received a phone call around 1:30 today, January 15th, from a Technician in the California DMV Department of Registration processing department. I was informed that the paperwork I submitted in early December, 2007 at the Woodland DMV office could not be processed as requested. My request was for consecutive letters/numbers and centering on the plate. The Technician said that she was aware of issues "operators" in California had with spaces in their license plates so she checked with her supervisor before contacting me. She also said that the plate will still be identified as an Amateur Radio plate; however, the call sign would have a space. My response to her statement was that currently Amateur Radio license plates do not contain any markings to identify them as Amateur Radio plates. I interpreted her silence as being surprised at my statement. A new plate as I requested will not be issued and the one currently in my possession (W6 VNQ) must be used.
Any assistance you can offer in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,

Harry David Towle, W6VNQ

xxx xxxxx xx

Arbuckle, CA xxxxx

Complaint & Historical Note, Paul Smith, K7PLS

2008-01-14T18:08:00.000-08:00

[Editor's Note - The website Paul refers to in his letter below is out of context. The website is a license plate collector's site. Collectors like to collect the unusual, ham callsign plates with spaces in them were unusual prior to Nov. 2007. It is incorrect to conclude the DMV's *PRACTICE* has always been to put a space in ham callsign license plates. DMV may or may not have had a written policy to put a space in but the *PRACTICE* was to stamp the plates without the space; to ignore the policy. In Nov. 2007, a new Mgr., Mr. Mario Bilbiani took over management of license plate issuance. Mr. Bilbiani sent word to my Assemblyman, Mike Feuer's office that his predecessor has been doing it wrong, issuing plates without a space and he was going to fix it].

Hi Cliff,

I have visited your blog site and read the information on the problem of spaces being inserted into the callsign structure of amateur radio license plates in California. I, too, am having the same problem with the California DMV. In August 2007 I ordered some callsign plates for my new 2007 vehicle. In early December I received the plates only to be surprised with the space in the plates. I returned to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s DMV clerk in the San Bernardino office, where the plates were originally ordered. The clerk agreed with me that there was a problem. She accepted my order for new plates, photo copied my plates and included a description of what the necessary layout was supposed to be. She hadn’t heard of any regulations to the contrary at that point and I hadn’t heard of the global problem, either. I am still waiting to see the outcome (about 8 weeks now and waiting).

Having said all of that, I refer you to the website at www.calpl8s.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?cat=ham . Here, you will notice that California has had a history if issuing plates with a space in the callsign. Both the 1956 series and the 1963 series had spaces in the 5 character callsigns. The six character callsigns didn’t get spaces due to the fact that the font size was for a maximum of six characters on the plate. Therefore, no space could occur with a 6 character one. It is unknown if there were any issued after that until recently. If you visit http://www.pl8s.com/checklist-hams.htm you will see that there were a number of other states that have also, historically issued callsign plates with spaces in them. Some included some design, such as a lightning bolt in the space. Notice that the 1963 series 6 character license plate for California also has a space in it (WA6 QIS).

I ordered a new plate for a vehicle in about 1988 with a 4 character callsign (AF6J). My registration certificate came out reading AF6…J. I queried DMV and they had no explanation for this other than it was a computer issue. I worked with a local law enforcement agency at the time and had their people run the plate a number of different ways. Running the plate using DMV code A (for a passenger car plate) came back “Information Not On File” with any combination of spaces (i.e. A..F6J, AF..6J, AF6..J, etc.). When run with DMV code H (for Ham Radio), it didn’t matter what combination of spaces were used, they all returned the same correct information for my vehicle. It seems that the computer has to have something in both spaces 1 and 7 and doesn’t care if there is 1 or more spaces in the combination. As you probably know, the plates are made essentially by hand, still. As far as I know, the information for the plate being processed is being input by hand and they can make the plate look any way that they want to. This is especially true with the “Vanity Plates” as there are any number of ways to put them together.

One recommendation that I have is to look at the current Nevada Radio Amateur license plate. First, it is the new Digital style plate that doesn’t include any embossing or punching. Secondly, it is a 7 character plate. All amateur radio callsigns are no more than 6 digits at the present time (including foreign plates for which callsign plates aren’t authorized in the U.S.). In space #1 there are the words “Radio Amateur” entered vertically to occupy only space one. The rest of the 6 digit callsign is entered correctly in the remaining 6 places. It is immediately identified as an Amateur Radio plate and the sequence of letters/number are correct. Everybody is happy. Since California already has graphics and symbols for its vanity and other special plates, it shouldn’t be a problem to create a special field in either space 1 or space 7 for this purpose. For anyone encouraging any regulation for this, please, specify space 1 or 7 only and not allow any spaces to be included in any callsign sequence.

Amateur radio has had a long history and tradition in the state of California. The amateurs in this state are amateurs in name only. They are a very professional group and provide the necessary support to the Public Safety first responders in this state. The license plate should stand out and be one that is easily recognized and accepted by the Public Safety organizations and the public.

Paul L Smith, K7PLS, AAR9BJ
Fontana, CA

State DMV's Compared

2008-01-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to the ARRL's webpage which compares states' policies on ham radio license plates. ARRL Regulatory Specialist Dan Henderson, N1ND tells me the page is updates as members provide information http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/local/plates.html

Ex-Cop Jerry Boyd, N7WR Comments on DMV Rationale

2008-01-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

Comment to Amatuer Radio Newline Story on DMV Rationale of Putting a Space in Ham Callsign License Plates

http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=180697

Having spent 30 years as a law enforcement officer in California I can tell you for a fact that inserting a space in CA ham plates is of no interest and/or value to law enforcement and is a false explanation (one of several) by DMV. It DOES NOT MATTER what letters or numbers are on a plate or what sequence they are in. If you "run" the plate as WX6 WXX or WX6WXX the DMV return will be the same. More bureaucratic nonsense from an agency within a state well known for it. de N7WR, a FORMER kalifornia resident

News Item, 1-11-08, Amateur Radio Newsline

2008-01-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1587

http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=180697

RADIO LAW: CALIFORNIA SAYS IT WONT CORRECT ODD SPACED HAM PLATES

A follow-up to our story a few weeks ago regarding the insertion of an unwanted space in some ham radio license plates by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. It appears that the D-M-V is going to hold its ground and not fix what hams consider a problem with the way their call letters are displayed on license plates. That’s because the agency says it is that way to assist law enforcement.

Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reports:--As previously reported, Cliff Cheng, WW6CC, was the first to bring the matter to the public eye. This, after he applied for ham radio plates only to have them read WW6 space CC. Soon other hams were up in arms as they too received plates with an unwanted space between letters of their calls and some went as far as filing complaints with the D-M-V.

Now, in response Mario Balbani, who is the Program Manager for Registration Policy Development has responded to those complaining. In letters Balbani essentially says that while the FCC may issue a ham operator his or her callsign the Department of Motor Vehicles can decide how it will be displayed on plates his agency issues. Balbani says that the Department of Motor Vehicles has been issuing ham radio call letter license plates since 1953 when the statute was first enacted. The placement or spacing of letters and numbers composed of the ham radio license was originally determined by the FCC. Although the department is required by law to issue license plates with specific call letters, spacing is not addressed in the statute and the department can exercise its administrative authority in this regard.Balbani says that the D-M-V adopted the new spacing policy in order for law enforcement to differentiate between ham radio license plates and other series license plates. He say that unlike other states, California does not distinguish the ham radio license plates with a symbol or wording indicating the plates special purpose.

Balbani says that back in April 2007, it was brought to the D-M-V's attention that the ham radio license plates were being ordered and issued without the proper spacing. By proper spacing we assume he means the blank space inserted someplace in the call. This is because Balbani's letters says that the problem has since been corrected and those ham radio plates issued with no spaces will remain valid until the plates are lost or damaged and duplicates are requested.Balbani admits that the Department of Motor Vehicles has received several complaints regarding the spacing of ham radio license plates ordered by applicants. He say that thoughts of eliminating the spaces have been reviewed, but his agency must take into consideration the other series license plates and the distinction that ham radio license plates would no longer have. In other words, the spaces will stay,

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles.

--California hams are far from satisfied with the Department of Motor Vehicles position on the added spaces in their callsigns. Some are working behind the scenes to find a way to force the D-M-V to return to ham radio license plates as they were before the change was made. (WW6CC, others)

Georgia DMV Supports Ham Radio

2008-01-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Georgia amateur radio operator Malcolm Richardson, WC4RAV shares this link to the Georgia Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/motor/plates/plate.asp?ptitle=AR
The link reveals Georgia DMV has no fees for ham plate. California DMV charge for manufacturing the plate. Only California DMV has change policy in Nov. 2007 and started making plates with spaces in them for new applicants as well as replacement plates. Callsigns do not have spaces in them. Callsigns are governed by international treaty. California DMV has stated it is required only to press the letters of the calls in the sequence set by FCC but it has administrative authority to add spaces for the law does not say it can not put a space in them. California DMV has ruled callsign plates without spaces are vanity plates and therefore are subject to vanity application fees, plus yearly vanity fees, about $40 and upward depending on options selected. Georgia had no fees.

Malcom continues and says:

An easy fix would be to issue a sticker with the words "Amateur Radio" (similar in appearance to the Georgia plate) to when a vehicle is reregistered yearly for plates already produced. For plates in production the text can be pre applied.

This way officers know 2 things: that the plate is not a vanity plate - and to run them as Ham tags - and that operator is licensed to operate radio equipment possibly exempted from some laws regarding radio equipment. This should do away with the ridicules practice of place a space in a call sign .Which in my opinion would make it more difficult for an officer to determine that it is infect a ham plate.

33 Hams Petition Against DMV at So Cal DX Club

2008-01-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

Southern California DX Club
33 Signers of the Petition Against a Space in Amateur Radio Callsign License Plates
Jan. 10, 2008

Harold “Skip” Bolnick, KJ6Y
Marilyn Bolnick, N6GIL
Woodland Hills CA

Patricia Bonogeorno, W6VXN
Rich Bonogeorno, W6VX
Sharman Oaks CA

Chuck Constantine, KR6C
Quartz Hill CA

Bradford Enockson, W6EA
Menifee CA

Leida Erickson, N6MXC
Bill Erickson, N6MXU
Anaheim CA

Pete Flussen, W6PBF
Culver City CA

Lee Freeman, AC6AJ
Marina del Rey CA

Milton Garb, W6QE
Rowland Heights CA

David Greenhut, N6HD
Woodland Hills CA

Mel Hughes, K6SY
Rancho Palos Verdes CA

Joe Locascio, K5KT
Rancho Palos Verdes CA

Larry Mallek, K6YUI
Anaheim CA

Don Minikoff, NK6A
LA CA 90066

Richard Norton, N6AA
Topanga CA

Tom Orr, W6HT
Placentia CA

John Orton, WA6BUD
Chatsworth CA

Jerry Robinson, K6AV
LA (Mar Vista), CA

John Schroeder, N6QQ
Cerritos CA

Arnold Shatz, N6HC
Sheryl Shatz, KA6DOW
Santa Ana CA

Jim Shrynr, N6DHZ
Whittier CA

Wayne Spring, W6IRD
Orange CA

Urban Stiess, W6MPB
LA CA 90043

Richard Thompson, AI6Z
USC

Mark Weiss, K6FG, Judge (Ret.).
Woodland Hills CA

Donald Wilson, K6DSW
North Hollywood CA

Darrel Van Buren, AK6I
LA (Mar Vista), CA

ARES Newsletter, Jan. 10, 2008

2008-01-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:21:43 -0500 (EST), "ARRL Web site"
said:
> The ARES E-Letter
> January 10, 2007
> =================
>
> Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor
>
> ,
>
> ===================================

> ______________
> In This Issue:
>
> + The View from Flagler County
> + Explosion and Fire at Florida Lab
> + Sarasota (Florida) Damage Assessment Exercise
> + Orange County, California's HDSCS: 2007 Fourth Busiest Year
> + Longtime EC/DEC NB4K Retires in Northern Kentucky
> + LETTERS: California DMV Responds to Space-In-Call Letter License
> Plate Complaint
> + LETTERS: On Repeating EmComm Courses
> + LETTERS: More on CEM's EmComm Course Requirements
> + LETTERS: The Gift
> + TIPS: Smart Fuse-It Glows When It Blows
> + LETTERS: One Day Ham Classes with Follow-Up
> + Disaster "Go-Kits" Updated
> + K1CE For a Final
> ______________
>
>
>
> + LETTERS: California DMV Responds to Space-In-Call Letter License
> Plate Complaint
>
> The following is the response of the California DMV dated December
> 27, 2007, to a ham complaining of the DMV's practice of putting
> spaces in call signs on Amateur Radio license plates:
>
> "California Vehicle Code Section 5005 allows the Department of Motor
> Vehicles to issue special plates in lieu of the regular license
> plates to a vehicle owned by persons holding an Amateur Radio license
> issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These special
> license plates display the official Amateur Radio call letters of the
> applicant as assigned by the FCC.
>
> "The Department has been issuing HAM license plates since 1953 when
> the statute was first enacted. The placement or spacing of letters
> and numbers composed of the HAM license was originally determined by
> the FCC. Although the department is required by law to issue HAM
> license plates with specific call letters, spacing is not addressed
> in the statute and the department can exercise its administrative
> authority in this regard.
>
> "The Department adopted the spacing in order for law enforcement to
> differentiate between HAM license plates and other series license
> plates. Unlike other states, California does not distinguish the HAM
> license plates with a symbol or wording indicating the plate is a HAM
> plate.
>
> "In April 2007, it was brought to our attention that the HAM license
> plates were being ordered and issued without the proper spacing. The
> problem has since been corrected; however, those HAM plates issued
> with no spaces will remain valid until the plates are lost or damaged
> and duplicates are requested. The Department has received several
> complaints, regarding the spacing of HAM license plates ordered by
> applicants. Thoughts of eliminating the spaces have been reviewed,
> but we must take into consideration the other series license plates
> and the distinction that HAM license plates will no longer have.
> Sincerely, Mario Balbiana, Program Manager, Registration Policy
> Development, Department OF Motor Vehicles, Registration Operations
> Division, Sacramento, CA
>
> [For more info on this issue:
> , courtesy Cliff Cheng,
Ø WW6CC - ed.]

Complaint to Assemblyman Duvall by Jim Lokken, AF6EC

2008-01-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

January 10, 2008

Assemblyman Michael Duvall
210 West Birch St.
Suite 202
Brea, CA 92821

Dear Assemblyman Michael Duvall,

I am a licensed Amateur Radio Operator with call letters of AF6EC as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. California Vehicle Code section 5005 provides for special license plates for displaying these call letters. This section says in part: “The special license plates shall be affixed to the motor vehicle for which registration is sought and, in lieu of the numbers otherwise prescribed by law, shall display the official amateur radio station call letters of the applicant as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission.” Unfortunately, for some reason that makes no sense, the Department of Motor Vehicles has begun to put a space in the series of call letters. Hence, my plate was issued as AF6 EC. These are not my official radio station call letters, but a meaningless series which I guess one could order as a personalized plate. At any rate, it is an insult to the amateur radio operator, many of whom provide emergency communications during local and regional catastrophes. How would you like to be addressed as Assemblyman Micha el Du vall?

For many years, DMV, was issuing plates with call signs exactly as assigned by the FCC. Now they say that a space is needed so law enforcement can identify amateur radio operators? Why is this necessary after 20 years and why do amateur radio need to be identified at all. If for some valid reason this identification is necessary, why not use some additional symbol on the plate. I hear one state uses a lightning bolt. No other state insults the amateur community by putting spaces in their call signs.

Please assist us by getting the DMV to issue license plates as per regulations and without insulting its patrons.

Sincerely,

James Lokken
xxxxx xxxxxx xx
Yorba Linda, CA xxxxx

Petition: So. Cal DX Club

2008-01-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

Under Construction

Complaint - Jack Christenden, K6ROW

2008-01-09T19:12:00.000-08:00

Hi Cliff,

And here I thought I was the only one. Every time I look at my plate I wonder what jerk made this plate. Thanks for highlighting this.

Jack K6ROW, not K6 ROW

Complaint to Assemblyman La Malfa from David Towle, W6VNQ

2008-01-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

January 8, 2008

Hon. Doug La Malfa, Assemblyman District 2
2865 Churn Creek Road, Suite B
Redding, CA 96002

Subject: No Space in License Plates

Dear Assemblyman La Malfa:

My name is David Towle, licensed Amateur Radio Operator, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated call sign of W6VNQ. The purpose of my letter to you is to illustrate some inconsistencies I have encountered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) processes and policies in issuing Amateur Radio license plates.

In February 2007 my call signed changed from KD6VNQ to W6VNQ. After receiving my new call sign, I took my old call sign license plates to the California Department of Motor Vehicles Office in my resident county of Colusa. I submitted the necessary forms along with a copy of my FCC issued license and requested a new plate with the new call.

In May my new plates arrived, but the plate contained the call sign N6VNQ, not my correct call sign of W6VNQ. It is also important to point out that the N6VNQ call sign contained no spaces, and was centered on the plate. This format is consistent with FCC issued call signs and what FCC Amateur Radio licensees would expect to see on a license plate. The plates were returned to the same DMV Office and I requested corrected plates be issued. In late October the corrected plates arrived. However, this set contained a space between the 6 and the V (W6 VNQ), and was right justified.

These plates were taken back to the same DMV Office and a request was made for the proper plates. I was told that certain plates were given spaces within the new DMV computer system. I explained that Amateur Radio call signs were issued by the FCC and do not contain spaces. When asked why the original incorrect plates N6VNQ were issued without a space the DMV representative had no explanation. The person waiting on me called the DMV Office of Registration while I was present and was told Amateur Radio license plates had always contained spaces. I have been a license Amateur Radio Operator for 15 years and have never seen an Amateur Radio license plate with a space.

After returning home I began calling the DMV Office of Registration to further clarify the situation. After three days of calling, someone answered the phone and I was able to speak with a representative. I was told that spaces have always been required for Amateur Radio license plates in California and nothing could be done to change the plates. I then asked the department representative if I returned the plates could I then apply for a Personalized license plate with my call sign. I was told no because the sequence resembled a Specialized license plate.

In early December of 2007 I took my plates with the space to a DMV Office in Yolo County. The person helping me was unfamiliar with Amateur Radio license plates and asked his supervisor and office manager for assistance. At first they could not find the license plate and my registration information in their computer, regardless of how the data was entered. I asked if they needed to enter a code of some kind and if so try “H”. They did this and found my plate and registration information. The office manager told me I could get the plate as I requested, with consecutive sequence of letters and numbers as well as center justified. She had me sign a new amateur radio plate request form and instructed the person helping me on how to complete the form so that I received the correct plate. Based on prior time frames I expect to receive the new plates sometime late February. Until then I will not know if the plates will be as requested or not.

Amateur Radio Operators provide emergency support to many agencies across the state. The potential for law enforcement agency staff not able to properly identify Amateur Radio license plates is very real. If a DMV office can not locate the information how are law enforcement agencies expected to locate the information?

Like other Amateur Radio Operator’s in the state, I am proud to display my call sign on my vehicles license plate. I have paid for a State of California Amateur Radio license plate displaying my call sign as issued by the FCC. It was not until I received the second incorrect license plate (W6 VNQ) that I was told that a space would be inserted in the call sign. Based on call sign’s on license plates I have seen in the last 15 years I had no reason to believe that a space would be inserted.

I am not alone in this situation. Currently a petition is being circulated in the Amateur Radio community though-out California to address this issue. Assemblyman Mike Feuer’s (42nd District) office has also been contacted by Amateur Radio Operator’s in the Los Angeles area. A website to find resolution to these and other inconsistencies in California Department of Motor Vehicles processes and policies related to Amateur Radio license plate issuance can be found at: http://nospacehamplates.blogspot.com/.

Other states have placed symbols or wording such as “Amateur Radio” on call sign license plates to assist in identifying the registered owner as a Amateur Radio Operator. If the State of California can place various types of markings on Personalize license plates, why not for Amateur Radio license plates? Another option would be to stamp the plates with the correct sequence as shown on the FCC license, and educate users of the DMV license database of the proper code to differentiate Amateur Radio plates from Personalized plates

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. If additional information is needed I am available to speak or meet with you at your convenience.

Respectfully,

Harry David Towle, W6VNQ
XXX XXXXXXXXX
Arbuckle, CA xxxxx

Complaint to Gov. Schwarzenegger by Darryl Widman, KI6DI

2008-01-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

January 8, 2008

Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Re: DMV putting a space in middle of Amateur Radio call signs on license plates

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

With all due respect, I feel that some of your department appointees are not carrying on in the best interest of your constituents, namely, the thousands of federally licensed Amateur Radio operators throughout our State of California.

Like every other state in our country, California recognizes the fine service given by its Amateur Radio operators in times of disasters and emergencies by permitting them to display their FCC assigned call letters on their vehicle license plates, both front and rear. These specially assigned plates are instantly recognized by those who depend on the special talents of the “hams” to get the signal in and out when no other service is able to do it. They know that when all else fails, Amateur Radio gets through!

Now, unlike every other state in the Union, California has made a decision that our assigned call letters are too difficult to work with where the state’s DMV computers are concerned. For instance, my call sign is KF6DI. The DMV would break up my call sign and make it look like KF6 DI. Yes, the DMV has inserted a space somewhere between some characters and has destroyed the appearance of my call sign so that those who would instantly recognize it will now not recognize it for the importance that it holds.

It appears that one gentleman in charge of the DMV is adamant about correcting his mistake and has gotten the entire Amateur Radio community up in arms! There is really no excuse for his behavior. The Red Cross, the Offices of Emergency Service, law enforcement and many others recognize our Amateur Radio call signs on our license plates with the call letters we were issued by the Federal Communications Commission. What gives this man the right to distort, confuse and destroy the integrity of a well-recognized identification?

Please, Governor, use the powers of your good office and see to it that the Amateur Radio call sign license plate identification remains as it should and remove the inserted spaces the DMV computers are inserting.

I know you can do it.

Very sincerely,

Darryl Widman, KF6DI

Santa Barbara, California

Director, Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club

Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Key-Klix Newsletter, Darryl Widman, KF6DI

2008-01-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

Take the Space Out of Our Call Signs

by Darryl Widman, KF6DI

By now, most of you have heard about Sacramento's inserting a space between characters of our Amateur Radio call signs on our license plates. If you care anything about how your call sign appears on your license plates, please do as I have done and contact our Governor and let him know what is on your mind. Another to contact is Senator Alan Lowenthal, California State Senate, 27th District, Chair, Transportation & Housing Committee 115 Pine Ave, Suite 430, Long Beach, CA 90802, Phone: (562) 495-4766 Fax: (562) 495-1876 Another very important person to contact is Assemblyman Pedro Nava, 35th Assembly District, Chair, Assembly Transportation Committee, Chair, Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security District Offices: Santa Barbara County 101 W. Anapamu Street, Suite A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Tel: (805) 564-1649, Fax: (805) 564-1651

As you can tell by the letter below that I faxed to the Governor's office in Los Angeles, there are good reasons for us to be disturbed by what the DMV has been doing lately. Please be my guest and write a letter to the Governor and others, based upon my letter if you wish, and give them a piece of your mind. Sitting there doing nothing will result in exactly the same thing. If you have ham license plates now, please drive very carefully and don't lose them. If you wished to have them replaced you will be very surprised with what you receive. If you are expecting new ham plates for your vehicle, guess what you will be receiving!

The Governor's fax number in Los Angeles is (213) 897-0319. Faxes have much more impact than e-mails. Please do it now. Thanks.

January 8, 2008

Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Space In-Front of Callsign, Mike Shirely, WB6WUI

2008-01-07T16:25:00.000-08:00

In April 2007 I purchased a new pickup and decided to replace my old
blue ham plates with the new reflective plates. I have had the blue ham
plates since the early 80's when I received my new ham call. After many
phone calls and visits to the Redding DMV Office I received my new ham
plates in the first part of December. When I took them out of the DMV
brown envelope I was surprised and mad when I discovered that they were
NC6 A. Upon returning them to the Redding DMV office and explaining to
them the problem with the space they called a supervisor in Sacramento
to find out about the space. The Supervisor told them that a new
federal law just went in to affect that required the space. I asked
what a federal law had to do with state vehicle license plates and they
said "because we accept federal money and have to do what they say".
They also told me that there was going to be a recall of all California
Ham Plates and new ones would be reissued with the space.
So after seeing all the different stories that the CALIF. DMV has told
hams I feel really offended that a state agency has lied to me.

Don Borden NC6A

DMV Decieves Don Borden, NC6A

2008-01-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Cliff,

I ordered my plates at the end of April 2007 and received them in December 2007. NC6 A

I see one reason the DMV says for the space is "for law enforcement to recognize ham plates". If this is a problem why not do like alot of states do and that is to put "AMATEUR RADIO" on the plate.

After complaining the Redding DMV office contacted a supervisor in Sacramento who said that the space was required by a new federal law. I asked what's a federal law have to do with the state and was told "we receive federal funds and have to do what they say". I was also told that the DMV would be recalling all ham plates and reissuing new ones with the space. What a bunch of liars!!!

Don Borden NC6A NOT NC6 A
Redding CA

Petition Signature: Kris Ford, KI6MHP

2008-01-05T19:35:00.000-08:00

I the undersigned support the Amateur Radio Callsign License Plate
Consistency Act; The California Department of Motor Vehicles is required to issue amateur radio callsign license plates so that the callsign appears on the plates exactly as it was issued by the Federal Communications Commission. California Department of Motor Vehicles may not charge a vanity license plate or any other special fees for amateur radio callsign license plates other than a one-time printing fee. I oppose the Calif. Dept. of Motor Vehicles policy and practice of putting a space in FCC issued callsigns on new and replacement amateur radio callsign license plates (example attached) and declaring these plates to be vanity plates and charging yearly vanity plates fees.

Kristopher Ford KI6MHP
xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxx
Compton, CA xxxxx

Pulled Over by Cops, Cops Can't Find Callsign License Plate in DMW Records: Bill Johnson, AB6UI

2008-01-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

I have been pulled over a few times as well as my 16 year old son (two times), by the police, only because they said they could not find my "AB6UI" call sign plates (No Space) in the DMV database. Once I showed them my licence and registration I was free to go. But the officer said I should check with the DMV. So the next time I was down at the DMV (getting my younger son his first drivers licence) I stood in line and asked the clerk to why the police can't seem to find my plate in the database. The first clerk could not find it either, the 2nd clerk, a proclaimed expert in such matters also could not find it. Finally the supervisor came over and asked if they were HAM plates and found it quickly. I asked if there was anything I could do to make the process of looking up my plate by law enforcement easier and he said NO. Obviously something needs to be done in order for law enforcement to be able differentiate between HAM license plates and other series license plates. Maybe a logo of an antenna tower but not a space.

72/73 ES GUD DX DE AB6UI

eHam Discussion: Nationwide Ham Opposition to DMV Policy

2008-01-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

eHam is a worldwide amateur radio website features forums, equipment reviews, news, practice exams.... In the week the newstory of the Calif. DMV's placing a space in ham plates, 30 hams across the U.S. and aboard commented. Please see eHam's archives - http://www.eham.net/articles/18317

Opposition - John Minger, AC6VV

2008-01-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

Hi Cliff,

Another point to make to DMV: There are 49 other states that do not modify/corrupt legitimate government issued call signs with spaces.

John, AC6VV

Rebuttal to DMV - Marvin Munster, W6MJM

2008-01-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

My comments are that it sounds like if you do not want to have the
space you will have to register you call as a "Personalized Plate"
and pay the $21 or so each year.

Marvin - W6MJM (or W6 MJM)

Complaint to Assemblyman DeMalfa, From DW Thorne, K6SOJ

2008-01-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

See: DW Thorne, K6SOJ complaint letter to Assemblyman DeMalfa
http://www.emcomm.org/personal/DeMalfa_letter.htm

Signatures Against DMV - Mike, WB6TMH & Penny, KE6LNM, Miller

2008-01-01T23:43:00.000-08:00

P E T I T I O N
Amateur Radio Callsign Consistency Act

More DMV Bureacratic Runaround, David Towel, W6VNQ

2007-12-31T18:45:00.000-08:00

Hi Cliff,

I too received a replacement plate with a space (W6 VNQ) and right justified when I turned in my old call sign plates (KD6VNQ). I submitted the request to my local DMV office and in about 3 weeks the new plates arrived. However, the plates call was N6VNQ, with no spaces. I took the plates back to the same DMV office and they reordered the correct plates. Another 3+ months and the new plates arrived, W6 VNQ. Back to the DMV office. I was told that a new computer system had been installed a while back (no time period given) that required the space. The person also showed me the section on amateur radio plates in their field manual. It called for a space after the number on 1 x 3 calls. I called the main DMV registration office in Sacramento and was told that it was not a new computer issue, but it had always been required that amateur radio license plates had a space in them.

My registration has a space. I checked with numerous hams, 1 x 3 and 1 x 2 calls that did not have spaces. However, their registration had a space.

I then took my "spaced" plates to another DMV office in another county and after some discussion the office manager explained to the person helping be how to write up the request so that new plates would be issued with no space and centered on the plate.

I have a draft letter to send to ARRL as well as my state representative. Based on what I understand is taking place I will hold off. If I need to do something different in regards to signing a petition please let me know. I will also forward the EMCOMM newsletter on to others.

David, W6VNQ

DMV's Dec. 27, 2007 Response to Marvin Munster

2007-12-27T21:46:00.000-08:00

This is in response to your letter dated December 13, 2007, regarding the spacing of your Amateur Radio (HAM) call letters on your leicnse
plates.

California Vehicle Code Section 5005 allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue special plates in lieu of the regular license
plates to a vehicle owned by persons holding an Amateur Radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These special license plates display the official Amateur Radio call letters of the applicant as assigned by the FCC.

The Department has been issuing HAM license plates since 1953 when
the statute was first enacted. The placement or spacing of letters and numbers composed of the HAM license was originally determined by the FCC. Although the department is required by law to issue HAM license plates with specific call letters, spacing is not addressed in the statute and the department can exercise its administrative
authority in this regard.

The Department adopted the spacing in order for law enforcement to differentiate between HAM license plates and other series license plates. Unlike other states, California does not distinguish the HAM license plates with a symbol or wording indicating the plate is a HAM plate.

In April 2007, it was brought to our attention that the HAM license plates were being ordered and issued without the proper spacing. The problem has since been corrected; however, those HAM plates issued with no spaces will remain valid until the plates are lost or damaged and duplicates are requested. The Department has received several
complaints, regarding the spacing of HAM license plates ordered by
applicants. Thoughts of eliminating the spaces have been reviewed, but we must take into consideration the other series license plates and the distinction that HAM license plates will no longer have.

Sincerely,

MARIO BALBIANI, Program Manager
Registration Policy Development
Department OF Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations Division
P.O. Box 825393
Sacramento, CA 94232-5393

Complaint to DMV: DW Thorne, K6SOJ, World Radio Relay League

2007-12-26T11:50:00.001-08:00

(mailed 12/12/07):

Office of the Director
Department of Motor Vehicles
2415 1st Avenue Mail Station F101
Sacramento, CA 95818

December 12, 2007

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am an amateur radio operator and my FCC issued call sign is K6SOJ. I have had amateur radio call sign license plates K6SOJ on my vehicle for several years.
On June 26, 2007 upon returning home from a 1500 mile road trip I noticed that my front license plate was missing.

My amateur radio call sign, as issued by the FCC, has five (5) characters in this configuration: K6SOJ. The standard (environmental) California plate has room for seven (7) characters. The lost plate was configured: _K6SOJ_ , (centered in the middle of the plate with no spaces between any character as is the rear license plate which is still on the vehicle).

On July 13, 2007 I visited the Tulelake DMV office (86 mile round trip), ordered a replacement plate, and paid the $16.00 fee. About four months later I received two replacement plates. The new plates were _K6_SOJ (offset to the right, with a full space between the 6 and the S).

On December 10, 2007 I visited the Yreka DMV office (130 mile round trip) and was waited upon by Jan, (DMV Clerk # 09, last name unknown). I explained my complaint, and showed her the proper documentation including my FCC license. Jan was very willing to correct the error and resolve the problem. When she tried to find my vehicle’s records in the DMV data base, she could not find my vehicle “in the system.” She consulted with her supervisor, who was also unable to find my vehicle’s record in the data base.

Jan then tried calling Sacramento, but was unable to get through. Jan told me that she would try again in the morning and call me. I turned in the incorrect plates and also provided a photocopy of my (correct) rear license plate.

On December 7, Jan called and left a voice mail message that she had checked with Sacramento and the person that she spoke with (I believe she said the person’s name was Tony, last name unknown) told her that the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) determines the license plate format for amateur radio operators, and that they mandate that a space be placed between the K6 and the SOJ in my case. She then instructed me to pick up my (incorrect) plates the next time I am in Yreka.

I do not believe that this is correct. I called the FCC in Gettysburg, PA (1-888-225-5322) and spoke with Mary Riddick, a customer service representative, and explained what had happened. Her first words were: “That’s not true.” She then went on to say that the FCC has no such ruling or requirement, and has nothing to do with what the DMV in any state does when it comes to license plate configuration(s).

I am asking you to look into, and resolve, this matter. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

David W. Thorne
xxx xxxxx xxx
xxx CA XXXXX

Newstory, 12-21-07: ARES Newsletter

2007-12-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

N e w s t o r y

ARES Newsletter

Dec. 21, 2007

ARES Newsletter is a nationally circulated weekly newsletter for amateur radio emergency communications operators.

The California DMV has a new policy of putting spaces in call signs on ham license plates. A space in a call sign undermines its integrity. When we have to cross a fire/police line, will the gatekeeper police officer or firefighter recognize our call sign with a space on our plates? The new policy is going to create confusion and may delay us in getting across police and fire lines to help our served agencies. I've heard that DMV will issue a response letter to an unnamed> > ham that will seek to justify adding the space. ARRL inquiries> > resulted in DMV saying that federal law requires the space. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, has responded that there is no such law. No other state puts in spaces.

Wrong Callsign, "DMV Computer Requires Space": David Towle, W6VNQ

2007-12-21T18:52:00.000-08:00

Hi Cliff,

I too received a replacement plate with a space (W6 VNQ) and right justified when I turned in my old call sign plates (KD6VNQ). I submitted the request to my local DMV office and in about 3 weeks the new plates arrived. However, the plates call was N6VNQ, with no spaces. I took the plates back to the same DMV office and they reordered the correct plates. Another 3+ months and the new plates arrived, W6 VNQ. Back to the DMV office. I was told that a new computer system had been installed a while back (no time period given) that required the space. The person also showed me the section on amateur radio plates in their field manual. It called for a space after the number on 1 x 3 calls. I called the main DMV registration office in Sacramento and was told that it was not a new computer issue, but it had always been required that amateur radio license plates had a space in them.

My registration has a space. I checked with numerous hams, 1 x 3 and 1 x 2 calls that did not have spaces. However, their registration had a space.

I then took my "spaced" plates to another DMV office in another county and after some discussion the office manager explained to the person helping be how to write up the request so that new plates would be issued with no space and centered on the plate.

I have a draft letter to send to ARRL as well as my state representative. Based on what I understand is taking place I will hold off. If I need to do something different in regards to signing a petition please let me know. I will also forward the EMCOMM newsletter on to others.

David, W6VNQ

Opposition Letter - ARRL Southwest Director Dick Norton, N6AA, to DMV Director

2007-12-20T22:20:00.001-08:00

(ARRL Letterhead)

Richard J. Norton
21290 West Hillside Drive
Topanga, CA 90290
(310) 455-1138
19 December, 2007

Mr. George Valverde
Director, California Department of Motor Vehicles
2415 1st Avenue
Mail Station F101
Sacramento, CA 95818

Dear Sir:

I am the Southwestern Division Director of the ARRL, the National Organization for Amateur Radio. The Southwestern Division, with over 12,000 members, encompasses Southern California and Arizona.

This is to confirm a situation recently brought to your attention by the office of Assemblyman Mike Feuer concerning a completely unexpected change in the California Motor Vehicle Department’s production of license plates with Amateur Radio callsigns. The license plates are now apparently produced with a space between parts of the callsign. I request your support toward restoring the long-standing production of license plates with the callsigns presented in unaltered form.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia issue vehicle license plates with Amateur Radio callsigns on them. At times these permit easy identification of participants in emergency communications.

The Federal Communications Commission issues callsigns with between four and six characters to holders of Amateur Radio licenses. The callsigns begin with the letter A, K, N, or W. There is a number in the callsign. The number 6 was issued to stations in California, and lately the FCC has permitted people who move from California to retain their 6th district callsigns. In fact, the FCC now allows selection of callsigns with any number from 0 to 9 by license holders anywhere in the USA.

The Callsigns have one or two characters, followed by a number, followed by one to three characters. Typical of callsigns are AA6VV, AD6D, K6ABC, KD6XYZ, N6ZZ, N8QXQ, W6AAA, WB6ZYX, WW6CC, and WX6X.

In all my 52 plus years as a licensed amateur, I have never heard of a state issuing license plates with a space between parts of the callsign.

It would feel no more appropriate than someone sending you correspondence with a space between parts of your name, such as George Val verde or George Val ver de..

On behalf of the licensed Radio Amateurs in California, I request that you take steps to restore the full callsigns, without introduced spaces on the California Amateur Radio license plates.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Yours truly,

Richard J. Norton
Amateur Radio Callsign – N6AA
Southwestern Division Director

Opposition Letter - ARRL, Southwest Director Dick Norton, N6AA to Assemblyman Feuer

2007-12-20T22:20:00.000-08:00

(ARRL Letterhead)

Richard J. Norton
21290 West Hillside Drive
Topanga, CA 90290
(310) 455-1138
19 December, 2007

Assemblyman Mike Feuer
Calif. State Assembly, 42nd District
Attn: Joshua Englander
9200 Sunset Boulevard, PH 15
West Hollywood, CA 90069

Dear Sirs:

I am the Southwestern Division Director of the ARRL, the National Organization for Amateur Radio. The Southwestern Division, with over 12,000 members, encompasses Southern California and Arizona.

This is to confirm a situation recently brought to your attention by Dr. Clifford Cheng concerning a completely unexpected change in the California Motor Vehicle Department’s production of license plates with Amateur Radio callsigns. The license plates are now apparently produced with a space between parts of the callsign. I request your support toward restoring the long-standing production of license plates with the callsigns presented in unaltered form.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia issue vehicle license plates with Amateur Radio callsigns on them. At times these permit easy identification of participants in emergency communications.

The Federal Communications Commission issues callsigns with between four and six characters to holders of Amateur Radio licenses. The callsigns begin with the letter A, K, N, or W. There is a number in the callsign. The number 6 was issued to stations in California, and lately the FCC has permitted people who move from California to retain their 6th district callsigns. In fact, the FCC now allows selection of callsigns with any number from 0 to 9 by license holders anywhere in the USA.

The Callsigns have one or two characters, followed by a number, followed by one to three characters. Typical of callsigns are AA6VV, AD6D, K6ABC, KD6XYZ, N6ZZ, N8QXQ, W6AAA, WB6ZYX, WW6CC, and WX6X.

In all my 52 plus years as a licensed amateur, I have never heard of a state issuing license plates with a space between parts of the callsign.

It would feel no more appropriate than someone sending you correspondence with a space between parts of your name, such as Assemblyman Feu er, or Deputy Eng lander.

On behalf of the licensed Radio Amateurs in California, I request that you take steps to restore the full callsigns, without introduced spaces on the California Amateur Radio license plates.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Yours truly,

Richard J. Norton
Amateur Radio Callsign – N6AA
Southwestern Division Director

Assm. Feuer's Response to ARRL Director Dick Norton

2007-12-20T22:17:00.000-08:00

Here is Assemblyperson Mike Feuer's Response to Dick Norton, N6AA, American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Director, Southwest Division (Southern Calif. & Arizona). (We apologize. Blogspot will not let us upload a larger image). This is basically a form letter. Josh Englander, who is a staff member of Assm. Feuer's had told us he would serve as a cotnat person for hams. This letter apparently did not come from him. The letter says it can not discuss this issue with Dick Norton due to privacy concerns - of their constituents. The letter does not recognize ARRL's standing in representing as the national organization of amatuer radio.

ARRL Volunteer Counsel Phil Kane, Esq., K2ASP's Legal Arguements

2007-12-20T19:04:00.000-08:00

Mr. Kane wrote me an email which he cc'd ARRL Directors Bob Vallio and Dick Norton and ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay. I made two requests to him for permission to post the email. There was no response. Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor of the ARES Newsletter made a similar request.

Mr. Kane basically stated the DMV legally must follow own regulations and not put a space in its ham callsign plates. Pamela Royce's legal opinion on this website is similar to Mr. Kane's. Of course, the issue its the interpretation of the regulation. DMV's position, see DMV's response to Marvin Munster, on this website, is that the regulations do no prohibit them from adding a space, so they can and did.

Update - Awaiting DMV Written Response, Mid-Dec. 2007

2007-12-16T18:40:00.000-08:00

Dec. 12, 2007. Assemblyman Mike Feuer's Office, Josh Englander, says DMV will write a response letter which will justify its policy of placing a space in FCC issued callsigns.

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Dec. 18, 2007. Assemblyman Feuer's District Director Alex Ponder called Dr. Cliff Cheng, WW6CC, to tell him that their office has asked the Director of the DMV to respond with a written policy statement on ham license plate spacing.

Cliff sees the next few weeks as a chance to influence the DMV Director:
George Valverde, Director
Department of Motor Vehicles
2415 1st Avenue, Mail Station F101
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-7393 (fax)
If Mr. Valverde is thinking ahead, he will not want to take on a fight with ham radio. This is not a wsie fight for him as a political appointtee. It is not in his best interest to have State Assemblypersons, State Senators and the Governor, who appointed him, getting letters of complaint over what the lawmakers would see as a trival issue - when DMV has more serious issues, such as driver's licenses for undocumented individuals (illegal aleins). We must convince Mr. Valverde to reserve the policy and dismiss it as an error his low level employees made without his knowledge.

Complaint to DMV: Howard Levine, Esq., W6CGA

2007-12-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

Howard S. Levine
xxx xxxxxx xxx
xxx CA xxxxx

December 14, 2007

Office of the Director
Department of Motor Vehicles
2415 1st Avenue Mail Station F101
Sacramento, CA 95818

Gentlemen:

I am an Amateur Radio Operator licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and assigned call sign W6CGA.

In August I purchased a new vehicle and immediately went to the DMV office in Arleta to order personalized Amateur plates for my vehicle. When I received the Registration in the mail, it showed the plates as W6 CGA, with a space between 6 and the C. I then went to the Van Nuys office of DMV and spoke to a supervisor about it. She made a telephone call and I was told that was how the plates look on the registration paperwork, but the physical plates would be W6CGA with no space. Several weeks later I received the plates and they had the space.

I went back to the DMV in Van Nuys to complain and was told that the plates would be re-done without the space. I then received a telephone call saying that your office now mandates that there must be a space. WHY? Our Federal licenses do not have a space and neither should our personalized plates.

Please revoke your ruling that there must be a space and have my plates issued as the FCC issued my license.

Very truly yours,

HOWARD S. LEVINE

HSL:ms

Newstory: Amateur Radio Newsline, Dec. 14 2007

2007-12-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

N e w s t o r y

Amateur Radio Newsline

Dec. 14, 2007

MP3 Audio Story
ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.mp3

VANITY PLATES: CALIFORNIA GOES STRANGE

If you live in California, have a four or five character callsign and apply for call letter license plates, you will be in for a surprise when they arrive. That’s because the manufacturing process is designed for six digit plates and you will likely find that the state has inserted a blank space after the third character. According to Cliff Cheng, WW6CC, he found out the hard way when he got his new call and applied for new plates. When he got them they read WW6 space CC. In the past when applying for California ham plates you could request that the Department of Motor Vehicles run the suffix together without the space. Now that alternative has gone away.Curious as to when the option disappeared, Cliff contacted State Assemblyman Mike Feur's aide Josh Englander. He told WW6CC that this is a new policy as of a month ago. (WW6CC)

Complaint - Marvin Munster, W6MJM

2007-12-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

Hello Cliff,

I have been sparing with the CA DMV for a little while now. I
changed my call from WB6PKK to W6MJM and the plates came back
W6 MJM. Anyway, here is the letter and if it didn't get put in the
blog, maybe you can post it.

Marvin - W6MJM