License Renewal

[n8pdh]

After we have had our ham radio license for ten years I'd like to see the FCC offer us a renewal option with 3 choices: A-10 years, B-25 years, C-Lifetime
the comercial General license is valid a lifetime.
The hams who are active renew their licenses, the hams who are not active just let their tickets expire.

[K9STH]

PDH:

You have to get Congress to revise 47 CFR. The basic Communications Act of 1934 (as ammended) limits the length of station licenses to a maximum of 10 years. Now an operator's license can be issued for an entire lifetime and such is the case for the GROL. Unfortunately, amateur radio licenses are for both a station license and for an operator's license. Therefore, the maximum length of time that an amateur radio license can be effective is 10 years.

At one time the maximum length of station licenses was 5 years and amateur radio licenses were effective for a 5 year period except for the original Novice Class which were for 1 year for quite a number of years and then became for 2 years and were non-renewable. Then the Novice Class became renewable as well as the other classes.

Glen, K9STH

[N2RJ]

Even in countries such as the UK with "lifetime" licenses, you have to go confirm your details every few years (I think it is 5 years.)

[KC5SAS]

I think 10 years is too long as it is.
I'm more in favor of shortening it to 5 years like my GMRS license. Right now the ULS lists don't give us a very accurate picture of the number of hams we actually have in the hobby. A shorter renewal period would clear the rolls of SKs and those who are inactive, who decided that HR was not for them or whatever reason.

[ky5u]

Listening on 75M to a KxxTHY with overmodulated audio, tuning his rig repeatedly during his QSO saying "I got THREE more watts!" Was making an attempt to convince his QSO partner he was really an old hand at AR. Sounded just like a CBer. Someone told him to turn down his audio and he got miffed. He looked forward to modutating with the other guy in the future.

Gawd.

[n0iu]

Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Dec. 29 2007,17:11)]Listening on 75M to a KxxTHY with overmodulated audio, tuning his rig repeatedly during his QSO saying "I got THREE more watts!" #Was making an attempt to convince his QSO partner he was really an old hand at AR. Sounded just like a CBer. #Someone told him to turn down his audio and he got miffed. #He looked forward to modutating with the other guy in the future.

Gawd.
And this has what to do with the topic of license renewal??

Scott NØIU

[kg4kww]

You can renew your ticket directly at the FCC web site.

I would like the lifetime ticket idea myself.

[wb4old]

I would like to see no license, the more the the better. And look at the ARRL members

[K1CJS]

Quote[/b] (KC5SAS @ Dec. 29 2007,23:31)]I think 10 years is too long as it is.
I'm more in favor of shortening it to 5 years like my GMRS license. Right now the ULS lists don't give us a very accurate picture of the number of hams we actually have in the hobby. #A shorter renewal period would clear the rolls of SKs and those who are inactive, who decided that HR was not for them or whatever reason.
Granted, 10 years may be too long, but even if shortened to five years, the lists still wouldn't give us an accurate number of active hams. #

Consider--there are some people who get their license in one of those 'license in a weekend' courses, use it for a few months and then drop the whole thing. #They never really 'get into' ham radio. #After the first year there are a good number of new licenses that are just paper licenses.

Maybe something like this would work--not necessarily better for the hobby, but better to see the actual number of active licensees. #Have the persons first license be valid for a one year period, renewable to five year periods after that. #No differences in privileges, just have a one year 'new ham' license.

The people not really interested would drop out and not renew, and there would be a better feel for the number of active hams out in this country. #Of course, that won't happen since the FCC is interested in simplicity and the least amount of work, and the idea would mean more.

I didn't mean it to sound like I'm against a lifetime license though. After the first year and the renewal, have it go to a lifetime grant with verification every five years. That could be simply done--through the internet.

[WS2L]

I don't have a problem with the way things are with one exception. I do not like the idea that you must wait until 90 days prior to the expiration of your license in order to renew. I feel that a lot of hams may not remember that they only have this 90 day window prior to expiration to do it. I think that they should change it to one year prior to expiation to allow more time. Some hams go away from the hobby sometimes for a few years and return at some time in the future. If they do not know they only have that 90 day window their license may lapse and if they are away from the hobby for several years they may not realize that their license has expired.

[K1CJS]

Quote[/b] (WS2L @ Dec. 30 2007,09:50)]I don't have a problem with the way things are with one exception. I do not like the idea that you must wait until 90 days prior to the expiration of your license in order to renew. I feel that a lot of hams may not remember that they only have this 90 day window prior to expiration to do it. I think that they should change it to one year prior to expiation to allow more time. Some hams go away from the hobby sometimes for a few years and return at some time in the future. If they do not know they only have that 90 day window their license may lapse and if they are away from the hobby for several years they may not realize that their license has expired.
You still have the renewal window to work with so you don't lose your privileges. #Granted, you can't transmit once your license expires and until it is reinstated, but there's plenty of time to work with. #Besides, if you're serious about the hobby, you'll KNOW when your ticket is due for renewal. #I know when mine is due--and without looking it up.