Breaking news: Fcc inaugurates paperless amateur radio licensing february 17

Perhaps the "DOG" and Monica are not the same?


I know... I know. Perhaps I'm "braking" bad...

 

A piece of paper isn't what makes us radio operators, it is our skills, knowledge, love of the hobby, common sense and courtesies. A desire to communicate beyond the norm, doing more with less. The paper should have no effect.

 

I can understand that the postal rates will keep going up, so with them doing this now they save more than the calculated cost of today's postage times the number of licenses they mail out. I do fear getting locked out of thing electronically as passwords are forgotten (LoTW certs come to mind), email accounts change or are lost after 10 years, etc. Pluses and minuses. I'm assuming what we can print out will be acceptable to motor vehicle agencies when applying for callsign plates. We'll see if they got the memo.

 

A lot of complaining about nothing. Note the easy steps below to solve this crisis...

1) Log into ULS (which you have to do anyway to renew...) and download a PDF version of your license.
2) (optional) Print it out.
3) Turn on the radio and operate...

73,
Rod

 

I don't see it as much of a problem. My paper license sits somewhere in a folder in my filing cabinet and the information has been online for years with the fcc. I don't even think I unsealed the envelope. Someday I'd like to get a frame to put my current license in and hang it up.. but that is only for asthetic reasons (I do have my first extra licencse from 1989 framed). What's nice is if you really want a copy, just print it out.

 

Hey folks ...... if you take a moment and actually READ the info provided by the ARRL (which mimics the FCC) it will clear up a LOT of confusion, panic, like / dislike impressions you may have taken from the posts here on 'QRZ.COM' ..... reading is KNOWLEDGE!

"Under the new procedures, licensees will access their current official authorization ("Active" status only) via the ULS License
Manager. The FCC will continue to provide paper license documents to all licensees who notify the Commission that they prefer to receive
one. Licensees also will be able to print out an official authorization - as well as an unofficial "reference copy" - from the ULS License Manager."

"The FCC said that applicants or licensees who include a valid e-mail address under "Applicant Information" in the ULS will receive an official electronic authorization via e-mail. New license applicants who do not provide a FCC Registration Number at the examination point will receive a printed license as well as an FRN and a temporary password to access the Commission Registration System (CORES).

"Licensees also may contact FCC Support via the web at, http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm?job=contact_fcc_support , or via telephone or mail to request paper licenses."

Oh my oh my! It's a "different way" of obtaining a hard-copy of the license; it does NOT eliminate any possible chance of obtaining the license to hang on the wall in a "Dollar Store" frame!

From Senility Central Old Man Donnie

 

All i can say is . . . Whao!

 

In other news, the USPS has announced they've laid off a number of employees due to a decline of first-class mail volume from the FCC. Analysts expect at least $.5M in unemployment benefits to be paid over each of the next several years. ;-)

In today's technology age, getting a paper license in the mail does seem a bit old fashioned. However, for many it "makes their day" to get the "official" license in the mail, printed on the special paper. Then they can frame-em and hang-em. Yes, we're all whackers at heart.

 

Here is a solution...Why dont they have on the form you fill out (605) when you get ready to take your test for your Amateur Radio License, have an option you can check if you want to receive a paper license or an electronic license!....Or even an option if you can do both...that would be simple.

 

Maryland does it as well. Or as we in Virginia call it, East LA.

 

So the FCC says sure log in and get an "official copy" of your license. What will be on it to make it official, and winn VEC take the "official" version as legit?

The FCC allowys you to log in a print your own copy, but the ARRL is so worried about bad hams getting wallpaper that they require a magic card before you can use LoTW.

 

cool! I may print this on 120# parched paper, fit into mahogany wood frame.

 

Some of the comments just brake my heart....

chip w1YW

 

FCC has Franking privileges. They do not pay for postage.

 

First of all, the form 605 only need be completed AFTER the candidate has passed the exam. If they don't pass, nothing is filed with FCC and only a Test Session Report and Candidate Roster (or similar form depending on which VEC) is filed with the VEC. The unnecessary form 605 would be discarded, wasting paper. That has no bearing on this issue, but I wanted to point it out to avoid confusion.

Secondly, there is no block to check on the current form 605 to choose to receive a paper license, so the VECs and all VE teams would need to be supplied with NEW form 605s. How much is that going to cost ?

All in all I think the entire idea of a paperless license is pointless. I think someone at FCC has ants in their pants. They have better things to do with their time.