I'm upgrading to Extra in a couple months and wondering about call sign strategy. You can request a new sequential call sign at no cost during license upgrade or renewal. But I'm tempted by some of the shorter vanity calls available to Extras.

For those who've gone both routes - when is the $35 vanity fee worth it versus just taking whatever sequential call gets assigned? I operate mostly CW and some contesting, if that matters.

What factors should I consider beyond just "it looks cool"?

Shorter call signs give contesters a significant advantage, and calls that are easy to transmit in CW help streamline communication in high-traffic environments. For CW and contesting, a good vanity call pays for itself in efficiency. Look for 1x2 or 2x1 formats with your Extra.

I stuck with my sequential 2x3 from General and never looked back. Sure, it's longer, but it has my initials in the suffix which makes it memorable. Vanity calls often include personal significance like initials or meaningful words. Don't overthink it - both paths work fine for regular operating.

From an Elmer's perspective, consider your operating style. Many operators choose vanity calls to honor family members or friends who were silent keys. If you have a meaningful connection to a specific call, that emotional value might outweigh the fee. Otherwise, free sequential calls work great for most activities.