Curious about how and when HAM plates got started?
Did you know that the first plates with amateur radio call signs were issued in 1939? Michigan state was the first to adopt this system, though complications caused it to cease the following year. It was not until 1950 that Florida saw the need to quickly identify amateur radio operators in an emergency. Other states soon followed.
In Canada, the first plates were issued in 1952, however British Columbia was slow to adopt the system. Amateur radio operators had been decrying the need for years, especially after the great flood of 1948. British Columbia was actually the last province in Canada to permit Ham plates, giving in to overwhelming pressure in 1963. These would be the first specialty plates ever issued in BC.
A wonderful website containing the history of BC Ham plates, complete with many great photos such as the one below, can be found here: https://www.bcpl8s.ca/HamRadio.htm
First series of Ham plates to be issued in BC (1963)
Great topic, Dave. I’ve been fascinated by licence plates almost as long as I’ve been interested in ham radio. The link took me to a whole new resource to explore! 😀