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

wrote:
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.


You seem to have a computer and Internet access. Have him over for
coffee and help him get it done on your computer.

Have him bring a copy of his license and plan to take a few hours
trying to get the details straight while reading the FCC's website
help... I managed to do a change of address a while back, so I'm sure
others can figure it out too.

QST had an article in the last month or two that explains all the
steps...

Otherwise, contact the ARRL or some other VE and ask them how to go the
paper route. Most will do it for a small fee.

-= Bob =-

wrote:

You seem to have a computer and Internet access. Have him over for
coffee and help him get it done on your computer.

That's probably what I'll do, although he lives about 25 miles from me
these days, and I don't like the idea of an 88 year old driving that
far.

My gripe is that renewing a ham licesnse shouldn't have to be any more
difficult than renewing a drivers license. Until recently it wasn't.
They've made it easier to get a license (VE sessions vs. a trip to the
FCC Office), but harder to renew.

There are four hams in my family and we've got the online renewal thing
worked out. But for an older ham without a computer, it can be a real
problem. He shouldn't have to pay someone to renew a free ham license!

Thanks for you reply, Bob.

Art, N2AH

wrote in
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


If you're his friend, why not let him use your computer to register at the
FCC. It's a one time thing, and he can get his license renewed. You can
Elmer him through the process.

SC

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

wrote in message
ups.com...

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.


If he's an ARRL member, they'll do it free. He'll likely get some paperwork as
the date approaches.

73, de Hans, K0HB