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Amateur     Extra   7 Query tools (since 2003-2004)

Silent Key Callsign Harvesting

In addition to the callsigns that appear to be currently available according to FCC records, there are callsigns that can be made available because the holder had died, pursuant to FCC rules, US Title 47 CFR §1.948(g): "Amateur station call signs assigned to the station of a deceased licensee shall be available for reassignment pursuant to § 97.19 of this chapter." Such callsigns can be canceled and then applied for. The following steps are recommended for obtaining such callsigns:

1. Search for likely candidates:

   • Examine the lists of expired, canceled, and available 1x2 and 2x1 callsigns on this site, for callsigns that have expired or are about to expire.
   • Search QRZ.com or other sites which show birthdates of amateurs, and research those who were born before some date (e.g., 1930). Note that the FCC does not currently release the birthdates (or Social Security Numbers) of amateurs. However, the FCC used to release birthdate information in the past, and some web sites have retained that information and made it available in their online databases. I don't publish birthdates on this site, for privacy and identity theft considerations.
   
   

2. Verify deceased status:

   • Currently the best site for verifying deaths in general is the RootsWeb Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Interactive Search.
   • Other possible sites are state legal records (click on the appropriate state on this map, and look under state records of births and deaths). Note that some states charge a fee for searching for and/or providing death records.
   • Another source is the Obituary Database and other similar sites (search for other obituary sites), which can lead you to the newspaper obituary sites (many papers have online obituary sections) for the city of last residence.
   • Sometimes, just a search on for the person's name can reveal death information.
   
   

3. Obtain proof of death. Currently, the FCC is known to accept:

   • A certificate of death.
   • A printout from the RootsWeb Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Interactive Search which shows the birthdate and Social Security Number.
   • Newspaper obituary notices.
   • If you find any other documents that are acceptable to the FCC, please let me know.
   
   

4. Send a notice of cancellation to the FCC. There are several ways to notify the FCC:

   • By filing an Help Request; here is the suggested content:

     Subject	Deceased amateur license cancellation request
     Problem Description	Please cancel the Amateur Radio license of (callsign), (full name), who died on (date of death). A copy of the (whatever your proof of death is)  is attached, showing the date of death.
     FCC System	Universal Licensing System (ULS)
     Radio Service	HA - Amateur

     On the FCC form, click on the to see the list of Acceptable Digital Formats, and then after Would you like to attach supporting file(s)?, click on the Add Attachment(s)  link to attach your supporting documentation in one of those formats. To send an attachment that is an image of a web page:

     1. Get the desired web page displayed on the screen.
     2. Do a Shift-PrtSc (which captures the entire screen into the clipboard).
     3. Open one of the following imaging programs:
        • Microsoft Paint (free w/ every version of Windows).
        • Microsoft Imaging (free w/ Windows 2000).
        • Adobe PhotoShop (or any of its cousins).
        • Jasc PaintShop Pro.
     4. Use Ctrl-V to paste the image from the clipboard into the imaging program.
     5. Crop the image if desired.
     6. Save the image in one of the approved formats listed for Acceptable Digital Formats. I would suggest JPEG, PNG, or GIF if the image program you use supports it, as these formats provide good compression and can reduce the time to upload the image to the FCC.

   • By US Postal Service mail, or by FAX to 717-338-2850 717-338-2690; here is the suggested content:

     (your name & address)

     December 30, 2024 Federal Communications Commission Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Gettyburg, Pennsylvania 17325-7245 Subject: Deceased amateur license cancellation request To whom it may concern: Please cancel the Amateur Radio license of (callsign), (full name), who died on (date of death). A copy of the (whatever your proof of death is)  is attached, showing the date of death.

     Sincerely, (your signature)

   
   

5. Wait until the FCC cancels the callsign. DO NOT call the FCC to find out about when they will cancel the callsign! The relatively prompt cancellation processing they do is a favor they do the amateur radio community; please don't abuse it by calling them. Generally, the FCC cancels a callsign within one to two weeks after your request, although it is not uncommon to happen on the same day.

6. Wait another 30 days after the effective date of the cancellation.

7. Make sure that TWO YEARS AND ONE DAY have elapsed since the date of death, and then file your application.

For further help, or if you have any problems or suggestions, please use the AE7Q  message board.