SB QST @ ARL $ARLB053
ARLB053 All vanity applications to require Form 159

ZCZC AG53
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 53  ARLB053
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  September 11, 1997
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB053
ARLB053 All vanity applications to require Form 159

The ARRL has learned that when the vanity application fee jumps to
$50 on Monday, September 15, the FCC also will start requiring
everyone filing a paper Form 610V Amateur Station Vanity Call Sign
Request to include FCC Form 159, FCC Remittance Advice, with their
application--no matter the method of payment.  Applications received
on or after September 15 and lacking a Form 159 will not be
processed and will be returned to the applicant.

Previously, the FCC only required an Form 159 with a hard-copy Form
610V if the applicant was paying with a credit card or money
order--or for a single remittance to cover multiple applications.

The change came on very short notice, and the FCC has yet to issue a
formal public notice to address it.  But the FCC appears ready to
stand firm on the requirement starting September 15.  A spokesperson
at the FCC in Gettysburg said that on or after September 15, Mellon
Bank--the FCC's fiscal agent--will not cash or deposit any fees
which are not accompanied by a Form 159.  Applications received at
Mellon Bank that lack a Form 159 will be forwarded to Gettysburg for
handling (the fee will not be deposited), and Gettysburg will return
the entire application and the fee to the applicant with a blank
Form 159 and instructions to refile.

When completing Form 159, all applicants must include a taxpayer ID
number (your Social Security number) in Item 1 (FCC Account Number).
In Items 14A and 14 B, Payment Type Code, applicants should write
''WAVR.''

FCC Form 159 can be obtained by writing ARRL/VEC, 225 Main St,
Newington, CT 06111.  An SASE is appreciated.  Form 159 also is
available from the FCC via the Internet at
http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html or ftp://ftp.fcc.gov/pub/Forms/Form159/.

You can also get the form by return fax by calling 202-418-0177 and
requesting Form 000159.  The FCC Forms Distribution Center also
accepts orders at 800-418-3676.

If you need assistance completing Form 159 or need filing
information contact the FCC National Call Center at 888-225-5322.

The FCC still has given no indication of when it will begin
processing Gate 3 vanity call sign applications.  It's estimated
that more than 1000 applicants filed on the opening day, August 6.
The FCC also has not said when it plans to open vanity Gate 4.
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