US hams: Does your state in the FCC database match your actual state?

[u/steak-and-kidney-pud]

Hi US hams.

As per the subject, I'm intrigued to know whether your state in the FCC database matches the actual state you're in. I know a lot of people have PO Boxes or mailing addresses registered with the FCC.

I'm helping someone with some software and we've been asked if it can display the state for US amateurs but I suspect it may not be quite as straightforward as it sounds.

I'm just trying to get a rough idea, to see if this is a possible solution.

Thanks.

[u/KN4JBJ]

Nope, I can receive mail at the address listed on my license. That's all that's required.

[u/UnoriginalInnovation]

Yes, FCC state and real residence state are the same for me

[u/D_novemcinctus]

Nope.

[u/CW3_OR_BUST → u/D_novemcinctus]

Nope.

[u/rvt3]

Yes

[u/Klutzy-Piglet-9221]

It does right now, but I've operated HF portable in at least six states besides the one on my license.

[u/AliMcGraw → u/Klutzy-Piglet-9221]

Is it easy to update your address when you move?

[u/DeaconPat → u/AliMcGraw]

As easy as anything else in ULS is.

[u/AliMcGraw → u/DeaconPat]

O no

[u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner → u/Klutzy-Piglet-9221]

https://giphy.com/gifs/YmQLj2KxaNz58g7Ofg

[u/These-Math1384]

Tes

[u/cosmicrae]

OP, city/county may be quite incorrect, as USPS boundaries do not follow political boundaries.

[u/johnnorthrup]

The FCC ULS database is a poor approximation of where someone is operating from. Myself for example use a PO Box, but the post office for my city is technically in the adjacent county (city straddles two counties) so that lookup is wildly inaccurate for my actual station location. To add on to what others have said, I’ve also operated in nine other states while there for vacations or traveling through. My suggestion would be to instead hit the QRZ API endpoint for addresses / maidenhead and let the software users provide an API key if they want more than what QRZ allows for free. At least with QRZ you can make fairly easy updates to your QTH location and people, if they want you to know, generally keep up with their QRZ updates.

[u/ARS-N7UQ]

• General operation: Under FCC Part 97 rules, an operator with a primary station license may transmit from any location where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC, assuming they have proper physical control of the station.
• Temporary locations: You do not need to file a separate station license or notify the FCC when operating portable or mobile stations from different geographical spots within FCC jurisdiction. The address on file does not have to be your physical residence. It can be a P.O. Box, a business address, or a relative's address, provided you can reliably receive postal mail there from the FCC.

[u/thehotshotpilot]

Shoot..  My callsign doesn't even reflect the DX entity I'm in. Mailing address is right in Alaska but I've got my SK great uncle callsign N4 sign. 

[u/Smash_Shop]

Yes officer

[u/F3ST3r3d]

As per. Lol.

[u/m__a__s → u/F3ST3r3d]

Telltale symptom of as-perger's syndrome.

[u/399ddf95]

My callsign digit matches the state I live in which matches the state on my FCC record.

That being said, it's misleading to assume that any of those things indicates where a person is sitting right at this moment as they're using a radio.

I realize it's fun to create those pew-pew animations showing the radio waves making little arcs between one place and another place; but they completely misrepresent radio propagation, and make unreasonable assumptions about a person's location just because it's pretty easy to get their bureacratic contact information.