Ed,

Daryl, Thanks for telling me renewal of my License through the
FCC costs $35.00 USD.

You can take care of that online at the FCC ULS. It's amazing how
many hams don't realize there's a fee for a new or renewed license,
or for a vanity callsign request...although there is no fee for a
sequential callsign change, license modification (change of name,
address, email, etc.). The fee did stop the folks from requesting
and locking up all the 2x1 and 1x2 callsigns (so none of the "No
Code Extras" could get them)...as it was another $35 each time...
never mind the call was now on hold for 2 years and a day, before
one could get it again.

The tragic thing is that so many have no clue as to when their
license expires. Several years ago, I asked on one net, "Without
looking at your ham radio license, do you know when it expires??".
Except for one other person besides myself, everyone else said "No".

The thing is, unless your license expires during a government
shutdown, you are OFF THE AIR the day of expiration. At least now,
if the license lapses (expired more than 2 years ago), you do NOT
have to take everything again.

Years ago, if you were a 20 WPM Amateur Extra Class licensee,
you had to pass 3 Morse Code tests (5, 13, and 20 WPM...although
if you passed the 20 WPM, it was usually felt you could pass the
5 and 13 WPM exams), then the Novice, Technician, General, Advanced,
and Amateur Extra exams. Never mind the fact you lost your callsign,
and if it was a 1x2 or 2x1, you likely would never get it back. One
ham realized 2 days after his license had lapsed, and was pleading
with the VEC to help him...but there was nothing they could do for
him.

Today, if your license lapses, you ONLY have to pass the Technician
exam to get back on the air...with these caveats:

1) If you previously held a Novice or Technician Class license, you're basically "starting over", as if you had never taken a ham radio license
exam. Passing the Technician exam gets you a CSCE for a Technician Class license.

2) If you previously held a General Class license, whether it was proof
of a Technician Class license issued on March 20, 1987 or before, or a
General Class license, you pass the Technician Class exam, and get a
CSCE for a General Class license.

3) If you previously held an Advanced Class license, it is DOWNGRADED
to General, since the FCC stopping issuing Novice and Advanced Class
licenses on April 15, 2000...the same day they removed the 13 and 20
WPM CW exams. The 5 WPM CW exam was removed on Feb. 23, 2007. One
could get that 250 kilohertz of spectrum back, and 250 kilohertz more,
by also passing the Amateur Extra exam. Otherwise, in passing the
Technician Class exam, you get a CSCE for a General Class license.

4) If you previously held an Amateur Extra Class license, and you pass
the Technician Class exam, you get a CSCE for an Amateur Extra Class
license.

In each case, you will get a brand new callsign...and there is no
more Morse Code exam requirement.

The other info you posted I already read before seeing your
post.

It never hurts for a refresher.

The 250 Kcs/s I can't operate on prob is unused execpt fot
Amateur Extras interested in DXing, which doesn't matter to me
anyway even if I could get on the air on the lower end of the
Advanced CW Band.

There are only 5 reasons to upgrade from General or Advanced to
Amateur Extra.

1) Full amteur radio privileges, although you have to stay at least
3 kilohertz away from the band edges on HF, to keep from going "out
of band".

2) The shorter 2x1 or 1x2 callsigns...IF you're lucky enough to get
one. For all practical purposes, all of those are GONE, and you'll
have to settle for a 2x2 callsign.

3) If you travel overseas, with a CEPT license, you have full amateur
radio privileges.

4) As a Volunteer Examiner (VE), you can give and grade ALL the exams
(the Technician, General, and Amateur Extra). An Advanced Class VE
can give and grade the Technician and General exam, but not the
Amateur Extra. And, the General Class VE can only give and grade the
Technician exam.

With the recent rule change on exams to be passed to get the ham
radio license back (which has previously lapsed), they have to pass
the Technician exam, and it's the General Class VE that can give it
to them. Of course, if they want to also take the Amateur Extra exam,
only an Amateur Extra Class VE can give it to them.

5) Snob appeal (hi hi).

While I personally had to upgrade to Amateur Extra to be a VE Team
Leader, when I'm on the air, I operate EXCLUSIVELY in the Technician
Class privileges, as I enjoy them.

I still have almost two years before my License has to be
renewed. Ed

Mine doesn't renew for another 8 years.

73,

Daryl Stout, N5VLZ
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Ham Radio Club VE Team Leader

... Do NOT try to cure this HAM -- DE N5VLZ
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Re: Re: CQ CQ CQ
By: Daryl Stout to Ed Vance on Tue Nov 25 2025 09:50 pm

address, email, etc.). The fee did stop the folks from requesting
and locking up all the 2x1 and 1x2 callsigns (so none of the "No
Code Extras" could get them)...as it was another $35 each time...

Hams are horrible gatekeepers. I can't quite tell what perpetuates this childish idea/practice in radio. Probably just the whole license thing.

---
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Re: Re: CQ CQ CQ
By: Daryl Stout to phigan on Thu Nov 27 2025 12:45:50

And, they wonder why the hobbies are dying.

What other hobbies do you think are dying?

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Ed,

Daryl, I'm nor gonna quote your text.

That takes all the fun out of it (hi hi).

I know of the ULS at the FCC site.

It's at https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp -- you
enter your FRN (on your license) and your password. A link is provided if
you have forgotten such.

My only thiught is I would probably Mail i my renewal since
can not print from this phone as I could with the desktop rig.

The FCC no longer mails out printed copies of the licenses. Your only
option is to logon to the FCC ULS, and process the renewal (there's also a
$35 fee). Then, have a ham radio friend that you trust, with a computer
and printer, to logon to your email account to download the PDF file, then print it for you.

Be sure to sign it before laminating it, as it's not valid without your signature. Laminating it after signing it is strongly encouraged, as the
print tends to smear if it gets moist.

That's as bad as the labels on some of my pharmacy presciption bottles.
With the oil in my fingers, the ink of the prescription tends to rub off.
At least I have gotten to where I recognize which pill is which.

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ

... Do you, Ham, take Radio, to be your lawfully wedded spouse??
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What other hobbies do you think are dying?

Square Dancing...which is what I was doing before I started Sysoping
(1990), and Ham Radio (1991).

At the 1994 National Square Dance Convention (R) in Portland, Oregon,
there were 22,000 dancers from the United States, Canada, and around
the world. Wherever you go in the world, all calls are in English.

The 1995 National Square Dance Convention (R) in Birmingham, Alabama,
saw attendance plunge 50%...and some of these events now are lucky to
get 2000 attendees.

Daryl Stout, Editor, Webmaster, Circulation Chairman
Arkansas State Square Dance Federation


... Sqr Dancers Do It In Groups Of 8, With No Sex, In All Posistions.
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Daryl Stout wrote to Mortar <=-

What other hobbies do you think are dying?

Square Dancing...which is what I was doing before I started Sysoping (1990), and Ham Radio (1991).

At the 1994 National Square Dance Convention (R) in Portland, Oregon, there were 22,000 dancers from the United States, Canada, and around
the world. Wherever you go in the world, all calls are in English.

The 1995 National Square Dance Convention (R) in Birmingham, Alabama, saw attendance plunge 50%...and some of these events now are lucky to
get 2000 attendees.

Daryl Stout, Editor, Webmaster, Circulation Chairman
Arkansas State Square Dance Federation

I think you could say ALL hobbies are dying - but there are more springing up...

In other words, things evolve... Sure the hobby of square dancing may
be dying out, but the people that WOULD be doing it are doing something
else with their time, so that would be their hobby.

Speaking broadly of course...

Model car building is not as prevelant among kids as it used to be, but
legos are on the rise...


... My software never has bugs. It just develops random features...
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Ed,

That takes all the fun out of it (hi hi).

It's at https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp -- you enter your FRN (on your license) and your password. A link is provided if
you have forgotten such.

The FCC no longer mails out printed copies of the licenses. Your only option is to logon to the FCC ULS, and process the renewal (there's also a $35 fee). Then, have a ham radio friend that you trust, with a computer
and printer, to logon to your email account to download the PDF file, then print it for you.

Be sure to sign it before laminating it, as it's not valid without your signature. Laminating it after signing it is strongly encouraged, as the print tends to smear if it gets moist.

That's as bad as the labels on some of my pharmacy presciption bottles. With the oil in my fingers, the ink of the prescription tends to rub off.
At least I have gotten to where I recognize which pill is which.

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ

... Do you, Ham, take Radio, to be your lawfully wedded spouse??
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas

Daryl, Tks fer the address and other information.
Appreciate the help.
Which proves that I'm not so far gone that I couldn't be helped.
73 . .
Ed W9ODR
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Jimmy,

In other words, things evolve... Sure the hobby of square
dancing may be dying out, but the people that WOULD be doing it
are doing something else with their time, so that would be
their hobby.

Many hams thought the hobby would die off when the FCC eliminated
the Morse Code CW Requirement entirely, back on Feb. 23, 2007. Yet,
folks now were learning Morse Code because they WANTED to, and NOT
because they HAD to.

Vibroplex, who makes a wide variety of CW Keyers, had their phones
literally "ringing off the wall" 2 weeks either side of the above
date, as folks were wanting keyers like they were money!!

Speaking broadly of course...

Model car building is not as prevelant among kids as it used to
be, but legos are on the rise...

I used to have a ball with those. I've seen train layouts with
Lego...the best video is the Danny Harmon Railfan one on "The Newtson
Florida Special". A brief look at the Lego Layout is in the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXlcOZhg4i4 at the 2:08 mark.

My software never has bugs. It just develops random features...

That's Microsoft Windows. <G>

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ

... A Buddhist nudist practices yoga bare!
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Ed,

Daryl, Tks fer the address and other information.
Appreciate the help.
Which proves that I'm not so far gone that I couldn't be
helped. 73 . .

The spirit of amateur radio is Elmering. I have created some
PDF files with tutorials on:

1) Operating Internet Radio.
2) Setting Up Netlogger.
3) Accessing the NS2B Packet BBS, and setting up Outpost.
4) Getting set up on D-Star, D-Rats, and more.

Several hams have told me that they learned more with those PDF
files than they did with all of the internet videos.

I will be getting with a fellow ham for some Elmering on using
RemoteHams.Com (this is the FREE one). I was able to listen in to
the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) 20 meter HF Net for
the first time this past weekend.

With doing so much with QCWA, it's only practical that I get set
up for that.

In preparing the December 2025 QCWA Journal Audio Transcript, there
was a LONG ARTICLE from George J. Misic, KE8RN, on Loctals, Nuvistors,
and Compactron Tubes. This is really vintage gear we're talking about!!

I found out some dates for Arkansas hamfests to 2026...and with the shuttering of QCWA Chapter 79 in Wichita, Kansas early next year, that
means the Saturday morning QCWA Sunflower Net will go QRT. But, that
may allow me to go to more hamfests, if I can get transportation...
since I no longer drive or have a car.

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ

... A stolen sweet could be hot chocolate.
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Ed,

Daryl, I looked on my desktop pc for a FCC Form 610 but founfd
FCC Form 605 May 2008 .
Would that edition of the 605 form still be useable?

No. You can get a current NCVEC 605 Form from this URL:

https://www.ncvec.org/downloads/NCVEC_Form_605_2022.pdf

The form needs to be dated July 2022 or later (as this form is),
as it has "The Felony Question" on it. You would fill out the TOP
PART (Section 1) ONLY...since you're just applying for a renewal.

More info on The Felony Question is on the back of the form.

Also, you will have to pay the $35 renewal fee to the FCC online.

73 and good luck.

Daryl, N5VLZ

... Hitting a deer is NOT the way to get venison.
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Ed,

No. You can get a current NCVEC 605 Form from this URL:

https://www.ncvec.org/downloads/NCVEC_Form_605_2022.pdf

The form needs to be dated July 2022 or later (as this form is),
as it has "The Felony Question" on it. You would fill out the TOP
PART (Section 1) ONLY...since you're just applying for a renewal.

More info on The Felony Question is on the back of the form.

Also, you will have to pay the $35 renewal fee to the FCC online.

73 and good luck.

Daryl, N5VLZ

... Hitting a deer is NOT the way to get venison.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Thanks for the Form 605 link Daryl.
The FCC Form 610 is what I recall using in 2007.

When I was searching for the 610 on the Desktop box I was surprised to not see it but did see I had saved the 605 page .
Didn't know 605 was the current form number to use.

73 , Ed
---
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Ed,

Thanks for the Form 605 link Daryl.
The FCC Form 610 is what I recall using in 2007.

The 605 is the one used for renewing one's license, and you can
drop that off at a VE Test Session, without paying any exam fee,
since you're just renewing. However, you will need to pay the $35
fee to the FCC when you renew it online.

You only have to fill out section 1 (the top part), with your
information. Section 2 is normally for the VE's at the exam
session, on an exam...but since you're not taking an exam, leave
that section blank.

When I was searching for the 610 on the Desktop box I was
surprised to not see it but did see I had saved the 605 page .
Didn't know 605 was the current form number to use.

The 610 was for a different type of renewal, but the 605 is the
easiest one to use if you just want to renew the individual station
license.

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ

... Hello, I'll be your tagline for this message.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas

Ed,

The 605 is the one used for renewing one's license, and you can
drop that off at a VE Test Session, without paying any exam fee,
since you're just renewing. However, you will need to pay the $35
fee to the FCC when you renew it online.

You only have to fill out section 1 (the top part), with your
information. Section 2 is normally for the VE's at the exam
session, on an exam...but since you're not taking an exam, leave
that section blank.

The 610 was for a different type of renewal, but the 605 is the
easiest one to use if you just want to renew the individual station
license.

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ

... Hello, I'll be your tagline for this message.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas

Off the top of Ed's Head (C) TM , wasn't the 610 form for Amateur Radio use only?
This 605 looks like it covers a broad range of Radio Services, not just for us Hams
Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Ed,

Off the top of Ed's Head (C) TM , wasn't the 610 form for
Amateur Radio use only?

This 605 looks like it covers a broad range of Radio Services,
not just for us Hams

I think you have it backwards. The 605 is the main one now to renew
ones amateur radio license with.

Daryl

... Free the Indianapolis 500.
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Backwards NAH!


ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

Thats all I can say.
Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online

I can't look at the link you sent for the current 605 form, but looking on my desktop pc the older one I have has as the Title:
Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Services
.
I will look at the link you sent to me an see whats what.
Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online

Ed,

Backwards NAH!

ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

Thats all I can say.

All I can think of is the song "Backwards" by Rascal Flatts. It tells
you what happens "when you play a country western song backwards". <G>
There are several videos of it on YouTube.

This is not as sinister as the "backwards masking" on records that
produced occultic, demonic, satanic messages.

Daryl

... COFFEE.EXE Missing - Insert Cup and Press Any Key to Continue.
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Daryl Stout wrote to Ed Vance <=-

ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA

Thats all I can say.

All I can think of is the song "Backwards" by Rascal Flatts. It tells you what happens "when you play a country western song backwards". <G> There are several videos of it on YouTube.

And that reminded me of the movie "Tapeheads". It starts a very young
John Cusack and Tim Robbins as unemployed security guards who stumble
into a career producing music videos in the early 80s, when no one had
a clue what a music video was supposed to be.

In one scene, they're in a dive bar getting drunk, and the bartender
says they have to pass a sobriety test to get another round. He directs
them to recite the alphabet, backwards, skipping vowels, using sign
language.

They nail it.

I wondered how many takes they shot to get it right.

https://pie.yt/?v=https://youtu.be/Ku_wLVbIUA4?si=evVrNcao5fX0iA-8&t=121&pieshare=1



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