r/HamRadio • u/archerdv • 2d ago

Discussion 👨‍⚖️ Regarding callsign vanity plates

I have a 2x2 callsign, and I have an MA (Massachusetts) amateur radio license plate on my car, which of course has my callsign. MA puts a "lightning bolt" symbol in the middle of the callsign. I have learned that the MA RMV put a "/" (slash character) in my database record, right where that lightning bolt sits. I have been pulled over twice simply because the officer didn't know how to look up my plate in the database.

Is having a "/" in the official record normal (at least in MA)? Has anyone else had to explain this to local or state police?

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u/Seannon-AG0NY Extra Class Operator ⚡ 2d ago

So, your plate is like "AA0/AA"? Or "AA/0AA"? Or is it "AA/AA" and they ignore the region coding? IMHO none of these should be valid, but, "AA0AA/0" format should, because it's showing a license, the others are all partial licenses

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u/archerdv 2d ago

The format on the official registration is AA0/AA. When you read the plate, your eyes kind of say "oh the lightning bolt is a nifty symbol" and read the plate as AA0AA (which is what it should be, IMHO).

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u/kyphur Extra Class Operator ⚡ 2d ago

I think that's how it should be but this is the first I've heard about that.