License Renewal

[SCPD]

Well, I guess it's time to renew my license.
Got a call that someone had NTS traffic for me, telling me that my license is going to expire next month.

Can I find the renewal form on-line?
Can I renew on-line?
What's the cost to renew a vanity call?

Thank you in advance.

 

[K8PBX]

Yes, one option is to renew online at QRZ.COM

I recently did it and my total cost was $21.40

Quick and easy.

 

[KR4BD]

As long as you are NOT renewing a VANITY Callsign, You can renew it FREE on the FCC website, but that can be an ordeal if the system is not working right...a frequent event from what I've seen. You will need to have your password and ULS info to do it. If you are an ARRL member, they will also do it for free. And yes, there are several places that will renew for you for a FEE....

 

[scanchs]

Here you go...

Well, I guess it's time to renew my license.
Got a call that someone had NTS traffic for me, telling me that my license is going to expire next month.

Can I find the renewal form on-line?
Can I renew on-line?
What's the cost to renew a vanity call?

Thank you in advance.

Wyandotte,

Here's a link to the FCC website page for Amateur License Renewal -> FCC: Wireless Services: Amateur Radio Service: Amateur Licensing: Common Filing Tasks: Renewing a License

There's really no need to pay someone to do this. Just follow the instructions on the webpage. It's so easy, even a caveman can do it...

ScanCHS

 

[SCPD]

Thanks for the help

Thank you for the help.
I was able to renew my vanity call on-line, using the links described.
After I went thru the on-line renewal process, thank you Scanchs, a window
came up and said: "You Owe $13.50".
And there was a link that said "CONTINUE FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS".
There, it had a way to pay on-line with plastic.
Took the MasterCard out of the wife's purse while she was asleep, all done.

 

[fineshot1]

Took the MasterCard out of the wife's purse while she was asleep, all done.

Careful - you may not like the ways in which they can get even with you,
but I like your solution non the less. LOL!

 

[scanchs]

Great idea...

Thank you for the help.
I was able to renew my vanity call on-line, using the links described.
After I went thru the on-line renewal process, thank you Scanchs, a window
came up and said: "You Owe $13.50".
And there was a link that said "CONTINUE FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS".
There, it had a way to pay on-line with plastic.
Took the MasterCard out of the wife's purse while she was asleep, all done.

Wyandotte,

You're welcome! Glad I could help...

BTW, I really liked your choice of payment options (makes note to self)... :lol:

ScanCHS

 

[KD8DVR]

Thank you for the help.
I was able to renew my vanity call on-line, using the links described.
After I went thru the on-line renewal process, thank you Scanchs, a window
came up and said: "You Owe $13.50".
And there was a link that said "CONTINUE FOR PAYMENT OPTIONS".
There, it had a way to pay on-line with plastic.
Took the MasterCard out of the wife's purse while she was asleep, all done.

Nice!!!! Glad you got renewed... as well as the tactics. Your dedication to the hobby is well-noted

 

[elk2370bruce]

Yes, one option is to renew online at QRZ.COM

I recently did it and my total cost was $21.40

Quick and easy.

Why pay for something that you can do for free yourself? Regular renewals can be done on line for free and vanity calls can also be done on line for $ 13.50. It does not require a PhD from MIT to complete this task in under ten minutes. Why pay more?

 

[EdmontonFireRadio]

Out of curiosity, what is the reason for the fee for renewing a vanity call? It's not like they have to do anything more to renew a vanity call than they do for a standard issue call. Especially if it's handled on the FCC website.

Here in Canada, everyone has the opportunity to request a vanity callsign for no charge when they take their exam. Once the callsign is issued it's good for life and doesn't expire until the person does.

 

[kc4jgc]

Out of curiosity, what is the reason for the fee for renewing a vanity call? It's not like they have to do anything more to renew a vanity call than they do for a standard issue call. Especially if it's handled on the FCC website.

Here in Canada, everyone has the opportunity to request a vanity callsign for no charge when they take their exam. Once the callsign is issued it's good for life and doesn't expire until the person does.

Excellent question; one for which I have no answer other than greedy government in action. I have no problem with the initial fee; it's the renewal vanity fee that has stopped me from applying for a vanity in the first place. Yes, I'm kinda cheap; it's the principle! Why pay for something again for something done 10 years before?

 

[K8PBX]

Why pay for something that you can do for free yourself? Regular renewals can be done on line for free and vanity calls can also be done on line for $ 13.50. It does not require a PhD from MIT to complete this task in under ten minutes. Why pay more?

My decision to use QRZ.com for my vanity renewal was based on ease of use, speed of process and their ability to take PayPal. And yes, granted, I paid an extra $7.90 'service fee' to do so, which comes out to be an extra .79 cents per year (when averaged over the 10 year term of license).

Somehow, I justified it to myself at the time.

 

[N1BHH]

It's easier to do it yourself. I did that when I moved and changed my address, the license came to me in 3 days. And I did it all direct with the FCC and paid zero dollars.

 

[SCPD]

I am so happy that here in Canada there is no cost to get your ham license. It is also good for life ..... there are no renewals required. :wink:

 

[scanchs]

How do they know...

I am so happy that here in Canada there is no cost to get your ham license. It is also good for life ..... there are no renewals required. :wink:

edmscan,

The initial cost for a US HAM license is extremely small (just a few dollars), and unless you have a vanity callsign, there's no cost associated with renewing. Whenever I renew, I don't pay anything because I don't have a vanity callsign. Plus, you only have to renew every ten years. The main purpose of a renewal is to let the FCC know that your information hasn't changed (and you haven't died). You just login to their website, review your information in the FCC database, and certify that it's correct.

If a Canadian HAM license is for life, and you never have to renew, then how does Industry Canada know when a Canadian HAM goes Silent Key?

ScanCHS

 

[EdmontonFireRadio]

edmscan,

If a Canadian HAM license is for life, and you never have to renew, then how does Industry Canada know when a Canadian HAM goes Silent Key?

ScanCHS

Our local radio club had a member pass away just recently. Most of the time a fellow ham will notify Industy Canada about the silent key by sending in the required documents.

I must admit I like the fact that our license doesn't expire in Canada. But the fact that a US license has a term of 10 years, a ham from the States will only have to contact the FCC a few times during their lifetime as long as they don't move around too much.