Amateur Radio

These plates are issued to amateur (ham) radio operators.

This type reportedly was first available on March 1, 1956. These plates were black on reflective white scotchlite.

The operator’s callsign is the registration number, with the neat lightning bolt separator. The lightning bolt seems to get smaller and smaller with every iteration.

 

Around 1981, these plates were also made available for use on Combination registrations. Commercial, Camper and Motorcycle are available today as well.

Click the photo to see this type in use.

1956, first issue.

 

1957
Some of the early plates on this base did not have the lightning bolt.

ca. 1957 used until 1973

ca. 1957 – tab slots and the back of the plate is blue.

ca. 1968 – no tab slots and a white back.
It also appears that the second ‘W’ is an inverted ‘M’.

1974

ca. 1974/1975 revalidated until 1980

1979

1980

1988

 

Map Base (1990s)

Map Base (1990s)

ca. 2000s

 

2002 Amateur Radio Combination

 

2004 Amateur Radio Motorcycle

 

Amateur Radio Veteran

Sample/Test plate on the “Preserve the Sound” base