CA Ham Radio Operators outraged with new DMV policy

[Wrightwood]

DMV now adds a space in Ham Radio Callsign License Plates

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 affect 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.

http://nospacehamplates.blogspot.com/


5005.  (a) Any person holding an unexpired amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission may, after the requirements for the registration of the motor vehicle have been complied with, also apply directly to the department for special license plates, and the department may issue special plates in lieu of the regular license plates.  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.    The applicant shall, by satisfactory proof, show that he or she is the holder of an unexpired license.

[kew]

I find it hard to believe that there aren't several Hams in the State Legislature that would be more than happy to take on this issue.

[Wrightwood]

[lagomorphmom]

This belongs in one of those 'dumbest things you've ever heard' emails that go around. After Googling several other states, it seems that they have no problem with vanity/ham plate confusion simply by putting an antenna tower, "amateur radio", "ham radio", "radio operator", etc. on the plates. What a waste of human resources.

[clint]

Ah, this explains it. When Susan's plates came, instead of being centered like ALL other call sign plates, there is a space at the beginning. The call sign is not split up but it looks stupid off center.

[Wrightwood]

Sounds like she was fortunate that the space was not in the middle of the call sign.

[Toolman]

Ah, this explains it. When Susan's plates came, instead of being centered like ALL other call sign plates, there is a space at the beginning. The call sign is not split up but it looks stupid off center.

 Yea... Clint I agree I've seen some off center but have not seen any with a space in the middle.... yet. You say there "is" a space in front of Susan's plate and it wasn't centered.... very odd..... and stupid of the maker that day.

 I've had two sets of Ham plates and even back then the computer at AAA had generated a space in the middle. I was concerned about that and assured they wouldn't come with a space and they didn't. When I got my xtra vanity call a few month's later, I applied again for new plates and centered it myself on the paper application and again the AAA teller's computer generated the space. Since this happened once before I wasn't concerned. Again the new call plates came centered and NO space. So I experienced the same computer modeling years ago. I've only been cited once with the 4 digit callsign by CHP with no question of the legality of the plate and why should it be questioned? After all, how many folks have plate punching machines to pop out illegal plates... come on...this reasoning is a joke.... isn't it? Somebody pinch me...

 I can't blame him/them for being upset, I would be too. I somehow don't think the decision will be reversed though, if it's for real.

 Now this is the brain aneurysm that made me cross eyed:
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.

 LEO's know a Ham plate when they see it, and know it's legit. What's the fire dept. got to do with it? They don't run plates. This is another brilliant Ca. arrogance act and a waste of time and tax $$$.

[SkierBob]

As far as I'm concerned that ain't a ham plate. 

Ke6 <space> krd over and out.

[RennMan]

And to think I was going to wait until I (hopefully) passed my Extra exam, to order plates for the car.

Now what do we do?  Is there an end-around, like placing a half-space in front of and after the callsign?

Spaces in these places could easily be mistaken at a glance for already-issued legal licence plates from several years ago, which had three digits, a space, then three more digits.  I believe those plates were blue background/yellow digits, but the effect is the same.

The state is bleeding money, and THIS is the best the DMV could come up with?  Dolts...

[Toolman]

And to think I was going to wait until I (hopefully) passed my Extra exam, to order plates for the car.

Now what do we do?  Is there an end-around, like placing a half-space in front of and after the callsign?

Spaces in these places could easily be mistaken at a glance for already-issued legal licence plates from several years ago, which had three digits, a space, then three more digits.  I believe those plates were blue background/yellow digits, but the effect is the same.

The state is bleeding money, and THIS is the best the DMV could come up with?  Dolts...

 Knaw.... don't wait to get your xtra for Ham plates. I still have my original call plates hanging in the garage.

 Wonder if the knuckle head who came up with this idea knows that Ham plates are a one time purchase fee and we aren't charged anually as with the vanity program plates.

 Go ahead..... order them and make us proud...

I wouldn't go to the DMV though...I do everything possible through AAA.

 
 

[Wrightwood]

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

[SkierBob]

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

yep, that looks ridiculous. 

KV6, ah, ah, ha, H.  My grandpa's rolling over in his grave as I type...

[Wrightwood]

Here's more
http://kg6sblog.calsage.com/

I'd have to agree with the guy - keep the momentum going by contacting state representatives until the policy is corrected.

Dennis Morris
Field Representative for
Assemblywoman Sharon Runner
36th Assembly District
14343 Civic Dr., 1st Floor
Victorville, CA  92392
760-843-8045
Fax: 760-843-8396
dennis.morris@asm.ca.gov

[RennMan]

During my morning and evening commutes, I often am on the Hauser Peak repeater above Palmdale.  This morning's discussion centered around this particular subject.  One of the Antelope Valley ARC members mentioned that this topic was referred to on "Newsline", which I believe is the weekly ARRL news service.

[clint]

Newsline is a private, not ARRL, recorded ham radio news service. All the good nets run it.
You must "donate" to Newsline to use it. But it's a great service.

[RennMan]

[artology]

I got my plates after a six-month wait (!) and they put the space in front of my call sign. We thought they goofed up. It looks like a mistake because the letters are not centered on the plate.

[Rumpled]

Man, our DMV is ridiculous!

The old six digit plates were three letters then three numbers or vice versa.  It would be very difficult to confuse that with a plate starting with W or K.

I don't know the full ham call sign standards, but I'm betting they don't match the old six digit plates, like ever.

For many, many years we've all gotten along fine seeing ham plates and now some bureacrat can't figure it out?!

[kew]

For many, many years we've all gotten along fine seeing ham plates and now some bureacrat can't figure it out?!

That's what happens when we keep sending idiots to Sacramento.

[Toolman]

I got my plates after a six-month wait (!) and they put the space in front of my call sign. We thought they goofed up. It looks like a mistake because the letters are not centered on the plate.

 Six month's 

 I realized from my last post I mentioned two Ham plates and forgot about my original xtra plate so that makes three. It's never taken longer than 3 weeks to receive them.

For many, many years we've all gotten along fine seeing ham plates and now some bureaucrat can't figure it out?!

 I don't think it's entirely that actually. I think it's the new guy making a statement and power trip. DMV managers (as stated in the letter) are far from being labeled a bureaucrat. I worked for a guy like that, that made changes that effected many on a whim that bordered company policy, and many of us left the dept. because of it. He also encountered many internal investigations sought by employees  and lawsuites afterwards. Did they fire him, nope, did it cost the Govt. plenty to fight his litigation's, yep. And he retired with a full pension....crazy.

 I'd like to know what the "real" justification from a mere manager is to change this policy. I highly doubt it is a request from CHP, law enforcement or the Governator for that matter. As you mention, for years Ham plates have been recognized. In fact, in Alaska and other states that have their act together,  they are a no fee required.

 This WW6 CC guy with a PHD in who knows what, in my opinion should have left his references out of his letter in his correspondence, as his status has no influence in the matter.
   He will pursue this and we'll find out eventually what will become of it. I agree that a flood of e-mails and snail mail filling desks will get some attention. I've been on the receiving end of a positive outcome quickly with public outcry.... and it works