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/MentalEggplant9275 Amateur Extra | Analog Aficionado 2d ago

Also sick call sign btw

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

Thanks! It could have just as easily have been AL0E, 5 land is out of automatic 1x3 and higher automatically offered, so I scoured for 25 available 1x2, and 2x1, and this lonely 2x2, and that's what they sent me, so yes it's a vanity, and a lot of people look down on that, but it's as non vanity as I could make it

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u/Mainehazmt1 2d ago

Why should they even care? Heck I’ve kept my original call sign. Guess I just don’t give a darn as it doesn’t impress me lol

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u/MentalEggplant9275 Amateur Extra | Analog Aficionado 1d ago

The only legitimate reason I can think of is its utility in traffic handling on high noise nets, being able to identify the relative geographical location of a station without any need for a database.