Amateur Radio Specialty License Plates - 2015
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These images have been chosen for their uniqueness. Subject matter ranges from historic events, to really cool phenomena in science and engineering, to relevant place, to ingenious contraptions, to interesting products (which now has its own dedicated Featured Product category).

According to my research, in the year 2015, there are 29 states out of 50 that issue specialty license plates commemorating amateur radio. Those states that do not issue specialty plates offer a vanity plate with an FCC call sign. All require proof of call sign ownership. Some plates simply say "Amateur Radio," while others have a graphic symbol of some sort. I expected Connecticut, being the home base of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), might have a really nice design, but it is a simple lightning bolt type thing - better than nothing. Vermont is the only state that uses the schematic symbol portion of the ARRL logo. Ohio, host to the world's largest annual Hamfest, merely says "Amateur Radio." Sheesh, how about a tent with an antenna or something, guys? My own favorite is that of New York due to its simple but eye-catching design that includes the Morse code symbols for "CQ DE" preceding the call sign, meaning, roughly, "Calling anyone... this is <call sign>." Considering the significant service Hams provide to all states and the District of Corruption (D.C.), it is not unreasonable for all those who offer specialty plates to notable organizations and activities to include amateur radio.

Pennsylvania Specialty License Plate - RF CafeI was very disappointed that Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) claims on their website that "[t]here are currently 338 special organization registration plates available," but amateur radio is not in the list. If you happen to want a specialty license plate for the "Ancient Order of Hibernians," then Pennsylvania's got you covered. Hams can take a hike, though, as far as they're concerned. Maybe the wife of the head of PENNDOT ran off with an amateur radio guy and we all are paying for it ;-)

Here are images from screen captures made on the official state DOT websites. I did a fairly thorough search but might have missed one or two. Please let me know if that is so. In most cases for states not included here, I could find specialty plates from prior years, but not for 2015.

Alabama Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Alabama

Kentucky Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Kentucky

Minnesota Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Minnesota

New Mexico Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

New Mexico

Tennessee Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Tennessee

Washington Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Washington

Arkansas Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Arkansas

Louisiana Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Louisiana

Mississippi Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Mississippi

New York Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

New York

Texas Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Texas

West Virginia Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

West Virginia

Arizona Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Arizona

Maryland Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Maryland

Montana Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Montana

Nevada Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Nevada

Utah Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Utah

Wisconsin Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Wisconsin

Connecticut Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Connecticut

Massachusetts Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Massachusetts

Nebraska Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Nebraska

Ohio Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Ohio

Vermont Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Vermont

Wyoming Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Wyoming

Illinois Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Illinois

Michigan Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Michigan

New Jersey Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

New Jersey

South Carolina Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

South Carolina

Virginia Amateur Radio Specialty License Plate - RF Cafe

Virginia