Amateur Radio License Renewal - Open Roads Radio forum for Ham, Amateur Radio and RV camping

Radio · 11-21-2007, 03:58 PM

Everybody probably knew this but me, but here goes, anyway:

My Ham Radio license will expire in February. I had not been paying much attention as this is a once a decade event. This week I got two nice letters, one from the ARRL and the other from W5YI VEC.

I get stuff from ARRL all the time so I set that one aside. The W5YI letter was in one of those offical looking brown envelopes that had "renew your license today" written all over it. So I opened it up and for $7.00 the nice folks at W5YI VEC will renew your (non-vanity)license for you. Thought that was a cool deal.

Then I got around to opening the "junk mail" from the ARRL. One letter was about "spectrum defense funding" and the other was a letter informing me my license was about to expire. Well, I aready knew that. So being the wise consumer that I am, I started looking for the fee the ARRL charges. Turns out the ARRL charges no fee for it's members to renew their licenses. Free. (sort of)

Then the letter went on to try to explain how to renew on the FCC web site. The last time I was there, it seemed the folks who invented the IRS-1040 form also worked on the FCC web site, which makes dealing with that about as much fun as paying taxes.

So I chose the ARRL route. For the cost of a stamp I get my ticket punched with no hassle.

No, I'm not bashing W5YI as they have gotten a lot of folks into ham radio over the years and a lot of their material is top notch. I'm just keeping my $7 in my pocket. Come to think of it I could use a new repeater directory.

Cool. Way to go ARRL. Just look for your letter, guys.

Radio

radiow6lar · 11-22-2007, 11:08 AM

The FCC site is not that bad now. I did my own in a flash. But going with the ARRL its just as easy. I did get my renewed license in a little less than two weeks.

Larry, W6LAR

jagco · 11-23-2007, 07:38 PM

I don't have to do that until 2013, but thanks for the info. I'll try to remember that.

Jeff, N0HOZ

Ret8008 · 12-09-2007, 07:09 PM

I found the FCC site to be pretty quick and easy. I had not thought about using the ARRL.

N7OQ · 12-09-2007, 09:57 PM

My license is a Vanty so wonder if they can renew my ticket. The last time I used the FCC site I used a system called URL or ULS ah something like that and it was a pain but I don't have to renew until 2010 so have some time to figure it.

W6DCS · 12-09-2007, 11:37 PM

You can renew a vanity, and pay the fee by using ULS. I was able to apply, and pay for it through it. It was easy to do.

TXiceman · 12-13-2007, 09:08 PM

I did my address change on the FCC site and no problems.

Ken

W4DRR · 12-14-2007, 07:21 AM

I have done 3 vanity applications, and also about the same number of changes of address at the ULS site. The last time it seemed fairly simple and straight-forward. I'm sure the renewal process should be easy also.

Radio · 12-14-2007, 07:50 AM

W4DRR de KU4OJ

Hey Bob!

I've been monitoring the 147.15 repeater last few mornings and evenings during my drive time. Listen up!

KB5LJE · 12-14-2007, 09:22 PM

Well since Raidio and this site warming up it has fired my old tubes back up I used the FCC site tonight FRN/ULS to change my address. I found it fairly easy to navigate and now I got to look at some more radios.

My goal is to work Radio on Radio/HF by end of q1 2008

Wife is going to kill me and I can say one thing I paid cash tonight!

Mike

Radio · 12-15-2007, 06:26 AM

Pick a time and freq! We'll put it up on ORR.net and see who all joins in!

Get yourself a nice used TS-570 and you'll be all set. Or a nice used something, anyway.

Radio

Richard Stouffer · 12-15-2007, 08:52 AM

Pls, pls, after dark and 40 m.

w6pea · 12-23-2007, 12:09 PM

I think if you are a member of ARRL they will let you know when your Ham Radio license will expire. I have a Vanity call so I will have to pay a fee. But the ARRL will do it for you for free. I think I will have to go to the fcc/uls website.

N7OQ · 12-23-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio

Pick a time and freq! We'll put it up on ORR.net and see who all joins in!

Get yourself a nice used TS-570 and you'll be all set. Or a nice used something, anyway.

Radio

A sked, sounds like fun. What mode SSB, CW? If CW then I need to put my practice in high gear.

wa8yxm · 12-23-2007, 01:36 PM

The ARRL used to send you a copy of the proper form a few months in advance of when you said "OH ***! I expired". Now they send you an E-mail with the proper link in it.

Very nice, Very very nice. I renew next year (Heck, I just got this Extra last Christmas)

Radio · 12-23-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w6pea

I think if you are a member of ARRL they will let you know when your Ham Radio license will expire. .

That's why they sent me the letter. The ticket arrived right about when they said it would. And then Sweet Wife buried it under a stack of bills for 2 weeks. But it's here and I am good for 10 years, anyway.

Radio

KB5LJE · 12-23-2007, 07:18 PM

Used ULS to change the address on 12/18/2007 and got the new paper in the mail on 12/22/2007

Was easy and faster than I expected.

Mike

w6pea · 12-26-2007, 10:13 AM

I have a question?

How long after you pass an upgrade test does it take for it to show up on FCC/ULS I took my upgrade test on 22 Dec 07 , so it should show up in a day or so, or should it take 10 days or longer?

Just wondering.

Radio · 12-26-2007, 11:16 AM

With two sets of holidays I suspect 10 business days, but as long as you have your paperwork from the test session then you are OK.

Go ahead and enjoy your new privileges.

Yeah, I'm a VE, too.

Radio

KC1BUD · 11-06-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jagco

I don't have to do that until 2013, but thanks for the info. I'll try to remember that.

Jeff, N0HOZ

2014 for me, but according to the gloom and doomers based on the Mayan calander the world is supposed to end by Dec. 21, 2012.

I got my Vanity myself on the FCC site, it was a snap.

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