will go to just to have a call-sign with their initials.
When the FCC created the call zones, the intent was to provide the approximate location of where the station was operating from. The idea had the same intent of the call-signs of commercial broadcast stations. Yes, KDKA in Pittsburgh, PA is an exception.
Unfortunately (IMO) many amateurs are abusing the vanity call-sign system just to have a call-sign, that to them has a special meaning. By abusing I’m speaking of having a call-sign that is not in your call zone. Is this an illegal practice? No, not at all. However it is very inconsiderate.
My call-sign is a vanity call. WW4DX. However when I was considering changing my call-sign, I was keeping the 4, that indicates that I’m in the southeastern US.
Let’s take a look at a call-sign from one of our local LIDS, that is in total disregard of the call-sign area. NCOG for example. NC, represents North Carolina. O possibly represents his IQ. The G represents an initial of his first name. His adopted son has a call-sign in the 2 call zone (New Jersey/New York), just so he too can have the initial of his name in his call-sign.
Illegal? No.
Inconsiderate? Yes.