Hey, I am good for another 10 years with owning my amateur radio call sign, W5EHS. For a ham, the call sign is like a part of our personality. I even have it on my auto license plate.
I have always had the “EHS” part but I changed the number from 8 to 5 when I moved to Texas. The number indicates a region where the station is located but it is not a requirement these days to change the number when changing regions. I think it just makes sense to do so but some hams just love their original region number.
The prefix has been “WN” and “WB” but is now “W” since 1997.
I use the phonetics, “Easily Heard Signals” for the “EHS”. I have written probably a hundred columns for radio publications under that heading. Yeah we hams get attached to our call signs.
There are “vanity” call signs available and the change from “WB” to “W” prefix is considered a vanity call. Many hams change everything. All original calls are random generated by the FCC so you like what you get or you hate it.
The renewal process I just completed means I had to deal with a US Government agency. I have done that many times and was prepared. But I received at least three notices from radio groups to which I belong reminding me my “ticket” (license) was about to expire. Of course they all offered to help me “complete the paperwork” for a nominal fee.
The process does look intimidating but that is what government agencies do (look intimidating). I guess it keeps the riffraffs out. The FCC even requires the applicant to possess a special 10 digit FRN number before they will even talk to you. I already have one of those.
The renewal for Amateur Radio Operators is free. But because I have a Vanity call (remember, I changed the “WB” to “W” back in ’97) it cost me $13.40. Maybe with that fee, they will stay in business for another year or ten…