CA Ham Radio Operators outraged with new DMV policy

[RennMan]

Check this out!  This came in e-mail tonight from the ARRL ORG section, the local SoCal chapter:

Fellow Hams with Callsign plates. According to a blog posted kg6sblog.calsage.com - The DMV has reversed it's decision to put a space in our plates. Please review, make your own decision on whether this has occurred. I want to thank the efforts of KG6S, WW6CC, W6PNW and all the Amateurs' that took their hobby seriously and their citizenship in California seriously and denounced the space in our plates. Job well done.

This information has not been posted on the California DMV website and may not be.
Q. How will hams know to bring their plates back to the DMV if they don't say so.
A. Some type of notification will have to go to those who received the spaced plates (you would think) Although they didn't tell us they did it in the first place!

More news as it occurs - Hopefully something solid for the February Newsletter

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ARRL Orange Section
Section Manager: Carl H. Gardenias, WU6D
wu6d@arrl.org
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You can go to the blog listed, and see some of the information over the past week or so.

[Wrightwood]

Matt - no need to apologize.
The amount of publicity this has received in the past couple of days - DMV has no other choice.

Until I see something official in writing I won't consider it a done deal.

[kew]

[Wrightwood]

1-23-08

Here's your update on major items of interest to us in the
ARRL Southwestern Division...
************************************************************

California License Plate Progress

We have several efforts under way attempting to resolve the DMV problem
of inserting spaces in callsigns on license plates. We've had a few
positive interchanges with DMV and other state government staff. When
either more letters to state legislators appear required, or there is
something concrete to report, I will let you know. Stay tuned.

[KB]

Guys/gals, I'm interested in getting my HAM radio license to be of assitance in our next disaster. I've been through the CERT classes but forgot who Phil said I could get with to get it done. Can you help?
Thanks.

[RennMan]

Send an IM to Clint.  The next class is next weekend, Feb 15th and 16th, with the test the following weekend (02/23).

I realize it isn't a lot of time, but you can do it!  Clint makes it informative and fun.  MakGirl is already registered.

KG6ZET

[Wrightwood]

QST QST QST

As an Amateur Radio Operator from California, I am pleased to let all Amateurs know that the DMV has sent a memo to all its offices that our plates are not to have a space and will be issued the way the FCC issued to us.

If you received plates with a space after your number or anywhere in your callsign, Please take back to the DMV and ask for an exchange. Be polite, be considerate and respectful when requesting the change.

Again a big thanks to all who spoke out and let the DMV know that this was incorrect. Many spent hours of their time helping to develop petitions and template letters.

Thank YOU! Make sure that you tell all your friends who are not ARRL members about the success that we have had and so that they can turn in their spaced plates too!

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ARRL Orange Section
Section Manager: Carl H. Gardenias, WU6D
wu6d@arrl.org

[lagomorphmom]

I had a feeling this would get resolved once word got out in the ham community. The DMV picked the wrong group of folks to mess with!!! The dweeb bureaucrat probably thought we're a small group of quiet, nerdy, stay-at-homes, little did he know we're an eclectic group of smart and often well-connected individuals.

[Wrightwood]

DMV issues webpage on the policy:

Notice: No fees are required to get the plate corrected.

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

[Wrightwood]

Many hams have been called by the Supervisor at the Sacramento DMV who
sent letters that there plates will be re-issued - keep old plates on
vehicle and when new ones come in 4 - 6 weeks, remove and return to
DMV.

If you have a space plate (Amateur Plate, with a space) then the
suggested course of action is to:

1. Call your local DMV office and ask what process you need to do to
replace your plates. By the way, they are not to charge you for this
replacement, this was their error. Follow their directions.

2. Same goes if you requested through AAA.

Remember - Always be considerate, courteous and respectful to continue
to give Amateur Radio a GREAT Name in the community.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Orange Section
Section Manager: Carl H. Gardenias, WU6D
wu6d@arrl.org