I agree Bob, and maybe we'd have better operators as a result. Considering
the waning interest in our dying hobby though, all that would probably do is
eliminate even more operators from the ranks, leading the FCC to reduce our
bands even more by selling them to the highest bidder.

Ham radio was so much better back in the late 70's, when I first became
licensed. People were polite, and the radio had a mystique to it. With the
internet and the immediate gratification that everyone seems to expect these
days, Ham Radio is undesirable; having to hunt for contacts when you can
just IM someone? Having to work for a license? Not anymore, no one wants to
put any effort into anything when they have an easier alternative.
Unfortunately, the good old days are gone, and ham radio is in the sunset of
its existence.

73,

JT
K6TP
"slow code" wrote in message
ink.net...
Bob Miller wrote in
news
On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:48:49 -0500, "Tom" wrote:

My license is up for renewal in November. I got a letter from an outfit
in Texas wanting $7 to renew it. I thought one could renew their
license for free over the internet.


What I did to renew mine:

Go to the FCC website. Find the section on renewing amateur licenses.
You can download form 610. What's easier, tho', just call the FCC
phone number they give you, tell them you're renewing, the next day or
so you will find form 610 and all instructions in your mailbox, free
of charge. Fill the stuff out and send it in.

The FCC may have a minor charge for renewing, I forget.

If you've changed your address since getting your license, you may
have to register the new address with the FCC before renewing. You can
do only one thing at a time on form 610, as I recall.

bob
k5qwg




Anyone going to visit the FCC website please leave them these ideas in
their comment box, Thanks.


1-No more automatic renewals. Individuals must retest and pass all
elements required for their license class.

2-The passing score for written exams needs to be raised to 85%.

3-Code elements should be 13 wpm for General, and 20 wpm for Extra.

4-Make the no-code license one year non-renewable.