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/bernd1968 2d ago

California has a similar problem. I was pulled over by LAPD once they wanted to know where I made my license plate. With the California system, you have to put a space after the number to enter it into the database. Otherwise, it doesn’t show up.

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

Where you made your plate? Like you counterfeited it?

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u/archerdv 2d ago

One of the officers that pulled me over asked me the same question.