Callbook and Callsign FAQ
A3: Surprisingly, they don't. The FCC has outsourced its recordkeeping duties to a contractor, and only portions of their records are still available. The following information is excerpted from the ARRL web site "In Brief" from 13 Feb 2002.
"The FCC has no archival license records before 1966. Some older data that apparently had been committed to microfilm or microfiche are no longer usable or accessible. Records from 1966 to 1975 are on microfiche, and the FCC can review these by call sign only. Records of licenses expiring from 1975 to 1994 are on microfiche, and the FCC can review these by call sign or by licensee name. Records of licenses expiring from 1994 to the present are all electronic and available ... Those needing proof of license class between 1966 and the fall of 1968 that don't know the call sign may wish to contact the FCC's records contractor... Applicants may be able to obtain a free FCC-issued verification letter for license data between fall 1968 and the present, if they don't have access to a Callbook of the relevant era. Contact FCC, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325."
Recently, the FCC announced a new records contractor, as described in an ARRL Web article on 29 June 2004:
"The FCC has selected Best Copy and Printing Inc (BCPI) to perform duplicating and research services for the agency under FCC contract. The change ... was effective May 27 [2004]. BCPI will ... provide primary document search/retrieval and high-speed duplication services to the public, for a fee ... Copies of licenses, lists of licenses and all manner of other FCC documents not restricted from public access will be available through BCPI ... Customers may contact BCPI at its Web site or call toll-free 800-378-3160. Item costs under the new contract include: Document search and retrieval service, $20 per hour ... shipping and handling, $3 per order ... microfiche to paper copy service, $0.15 per page ... regular copy service, $0.12 per page ..."
Building on the last point from the 2002 article, Bart Jahnke (W9JJ), formerly with the VEC at the ARRL, offers the following information:
"... FCC will issue a License Verification Letter (see items 5 and 6 at http://www.arrl.org/news/restructuring/faq.html) ... To request such a letter, write to FCC, ATTN: Amateur Section, 1270 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325 (or fax 717-338-2696). This is a free FCC service."
So it's likely that the FCC or its records subcontractor (BCPI) can find you, as long as it's since 1966. They can even send you a letter proving that you were licensed, as long as you give them enough information to find you (name, callsign, approximate dates). Some of these searches may involve research costs if BCPI is involved. Contact the FCC or BCPI directly to inquire about your particular situation. Or you might consider using FOIA.
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Next: Q4: Does anyone else have old callbooks?