The rule in plain English
- When: give your assigned call sign at the end of each communication and at least every 10 minutes during it. Space stations and telecommand stations are the only exceptions (97.119(a)).
- No unidentified signals: no station may transmit unidentified communications or signals, or use a call sign not authorized to the station (97.119(a)). A tactical name doesn't replace your call sign.
- How: by CW (an automatic ID keyer at no more than 20 words per minute), by phone in English (phonetics encouraged), by the digital code you're using on RTTY or data, or in the same image emission on image modes (97.119(b)).
- Indicators: separate each one with a slash or a word that means slash. Self-assigned ones can go before or after the call sign but must not conflict with FCC indicators or another country's prefix (97.119(c)).
- Upgrades: while using higher-class privileges on a CSCE (97.9(b)), add AG, AE or KT after your call sign (97.119(f)).
- Someone else's station: if the control operator's class is higher than the station licensee's, add the control operator's call sign after the station's call sign (97.119(e)).
- Special events: a special event call sign may replace yours, but give your assigned call sign at least once per hour (97.119(d)).
- Reciprocal operation: put the letter-numeral for your U.S. location before your own call sign (after it for a Canadian license), and give your city and state at least once per contact (97.119(g)).
Full text of 47 CFR 97.119 (eCFR)
(a) Each amateur station, except a space station or telecommand station, must transmit its assigned call sign on its transmitting channel at the end of each communication, and at least every 10 minutes during a communication, for the purpose of clearly making the source of the transmissions from the station known to those receiving the transmissions. No station may transmit unidentified communications or signals, or transmit as the station call sign, any call sign not authorized to the station.
(b) The call sign must be transmitted with an emission authorized for the transmitting channel in one of the following ways:
(1) By a CW emission. When keyed by an automatic device used only for identification, the speed must not exceed 20 words per minute;
(2) By a phone emission in the English language. Use of a phonetic alphabet as an aid for correct station identification is encouraged;
(3) By a RTTY emission using a specified digital code when all or part of the communications are transmitted by a RTTY or data emission;
(4) By an image emission conforming to the applicable transmission standards, either color or monochrome, of § 73.682(a) of the FCC Rules when all or part of the communications are transmitted in the same image emission
(c) One or more indicators may be included with the call sign. Each indicator must be separated from the call sign by the slant mark (/) or by any suitable word that denotes the slant mark. If an indicator is self-assigned, it must be included before, after, or both before and after, the call sign. No self-assigned indicator may conflict with any other indicator specified by the FCC Rules or with any prefix assigned to another country.
(d) When transmitting in conjunction with an event of special significance, a station may substitute for its assigned call sign a special event call sign as shown for that station for that period of time on the common data base coordinated, maintained and disseminated by the special event call sign data base coordinators. Additionally, the station must transmit its assigned call sign at least once per hour during such transmissions.
(e) When the operator license class held by the control operator exceeds that of the station licensee, an indicator consisting of the call sign assigned to the control operator's station must be included after the call sign.
(f) When the control operator is a person who is exercising the rights and privileges authorized by § 97.9(b) of this part, an indicator must be included after the call sign as follows:
(1) For a control operator who has requested a license modification from Novice Class to Technical Class: KT;
(2) For a control operator who has requested a license modification from Novice or Technician to General Class: AG;
(3) For a control operator who has requested a license modification from Novice, Technician, General, or Advanced Class to Amateur Extra Class: AE.
(g) When the station is transmitting under the authority of § 97.107 of this part, an indicator consisting of the appropriate letter-numeral designating the station location must be included before the call sign that was issued to the station by the country granting the license. For an amateur service license granted by the Government of Canada, however, the indicator must be included after the call sign. At least once during each intercommunication, the identification announcement must include the geographical location as nearly as possible by city and state, commonwealth or possession.
Rule text from the eCFR, up to date as of Oct 15, 2026. Phonetic words and Morse from FAA AIM Table 4-2-7. Last verified Oct 19, 2026.
Keep time with the free station ID timer. Want your radio to play your ID for you? See IDMinder editions by radio.
Sources
- 47 CFR 97.119 Station identification
- 47 CFR 97.9 Operator license grant (CSCE privileges)
- 47 CFR 97.107 Reciprocal operating authority
- 47 CFR 97.3 Definitions (space station, telecommand station)
- FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, Table 4-2-7 (phonetic alphabet and Morse code)