I was on the fence about a PO Box. It would cost me ~$200/year in my area. Not a huge expense, just more of a pain in the ass. But my concern is that I would never check it, and if FCC actually sent me something via snail mail I'd never get it. One of the VEs said just make an account at qrz.com and populate the address fields as you wish. Almost everyone looking up call signs hits qrz.com. Not exactly a foolproof and secure method to be sure, but it's something. I'm still on the fence and may pull the trigger on it anyway. Still not sure.
Anyone wanting to do you harm or put you on an official list knows to look in the one place required by law to have accurate (and supposedly current) data on you -- freely and publicly available.
Google search: "FCC ULS search"
https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp
I use mine only for FCC matters and ARRL mailings like QST and only check about once a month. Granted, the rules are archaic and very much not aligned with modern privacy concerns. They date back to an era concerned foremost with keeping amateur radio operators from being spies. So you have to take what little measures you can.
I assume you have one? Do you ever check it? Edit sorry, I didn't read the whole reply before replying. I'll look into it. You bring up good points.
It's a different world we live in. Every ham that passes me with a callsign license plate I think a) you are not home, and b) in seconds with my phone I can get your address and rob you because I know you're not home.
Lay low, be gray.
(post is archived)