wrote in message
ups.com...
A friend of mine is 88 years old, and has been an active ham since the
1940s. His license is due for renewal next year. He doesn't have an
FRN, doesn't own a computer, and doesn't have internet access.

As I understand it, he would have to obtain and submit FCC Form 160 to
get an FRN. Then he would have to obtain and submit an FCC Form 605 to
apply for renewal. The 605 form is not unique to amateur radio and is
not particularly easy to fill out.

Isn't there an easier way for a long time ham to renew his license? In
the past, he just submitted a 610 Form. I wonder how many long-time
hams have lost their licenses because of this bureaucracy.

Art Harris, N2AH


Effective August 1999, radio amateurs may renew their own license, but only
within the allowed 90 day filing window, using the FCC's new Universal
Licensing System (ULS). But it can be very confusing since it requires
advance CORES / FRN registration, assigning passwords and using this
information to later update your FCC record.

The Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (of which the W5YI-VEC is one) have a
different system which allows automatic registration of your call sign and
electronic access to the FCC's license database. Even if you have already
registered, we can obtain your license information to renew your Amateur
Radio operator license. We can also handle mailing address changes for you
....even get a duplicate license mailed to you from the FCC.

Amateur operator licenses may be renewed any time during a filing window of
90 days before license expiration -- or up to 2 years after your license has
expired. After the 2 year "grace period" is up, your license is cancelled by
the FCC and removed from their database. To regain you amateur license
privileges you will have to retake all of the needed examinations and you
will be assigned a new call sign. Once a new license has been granted you
may be able to get your old call sign back by filing for it through the
Vanity System.

We offer a fast and easier method of getting your license renewed or address
change updated with the FCC. We accept applications for address changes
anytime. Renewals may only be submitted to us 180 days in advance of the
expiration date and we will file it for you when the 90 day window for your
expiration date becomes available.

We charge $8.00 for this on-line service -- a portion of which goes to the
National Conference of VECs to help fund their annual Conference with the
FCC. You may file your application online with us anytime electronically by
clicking on the graphic link "Renew Your License Today Online" or you may
print out the NCVEC 605 Form http://www.w5yi.org/documents/ncvec605.pdf and
mail it along with your remittance to us at: W5YI-VEC, POB 565101, Dallas,
Tx 75356.
A word about Social Security Numbers. Effective July 1999, the FCC began
requiring that all licensees provide their 9-digit Social Security Number or
CORES FRN when they obtain new, modified, upgraded or renewed licenses. This
requirement was mandated by Congress as part of the Debt Improvement
Collection Act of 1996. There is more information about this requirement and
process on our web site and on the FCC ULS site.

https://www.w5yi.org/ssl/ama_renew_form.php