Subj : Classes And Exams (L) To : All From : Daryl Stout Date : Thu Apr 04 2019 09:32 am (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS MESSAGE) The use of these special ID's follow your callsign on the new bands for which your CSCE shows that you've upgraded to. If you previously had privileges on a certain band without the CSCE (for instance, you upgraded from Technician to General), you're not required to use the ID on frequencies above 50 Megahertz. However, using the Technician to General upgrade example, if you want to use the frequencies for the General Class licensee, you are REQUIRED to use the new identifier. If you upgrade to the Extra Class license BEFORE your General Class paper license copy is in hand, or in the FCC database, you keep your Technician Class license, and the CSCE's for the General and Extra Class upgrade, as proof of your upgrades. Again, using the upgrade to Extra Class as an example, you use the special identifier for it, instead of the General Class license identifier. Once your new license grant appears in the FCC ULS database, or on the QRZ or Hamdata websites noted above), you're no longer required to use the special identifier. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after the day you passed the exam. Failure to use the identifier before your license upgrade appears in the FCC database would make it appear that you are operating on amateur radio bands outside your privileges, and you could get a Notice Of Violation from the FCC if that occurs. Government Shutdowns And Licenses ================================= Unfortunately, at times, a budgetary impasse within Congress, or if the President does not sign a budget into law (either via a Continuing Resolution (CR)), or a full budget prior to the government fiscal year that starts October 1, portions of the U.S. government "shut down". Work considered essential to the protection of life and property continues, but "non-essential" departments are shuttered, and their workers are sent home. Those who still work (such as with the TSA at airports, and the U.S. Coast Guard) do so without pay. Except for the government contractors, all will receive back pay when the government shutdown ends, and the agencies reopen. One of the agencies affected by the shutdown is the FCC. During this time, they will NOT process any applications for new, renewal, or upgraded amateur radio licenses, callsign changes, etc. The VE Teams can send the results to their particular VEC, but the VEC can't key the data to the FCC until the shutdown ends. Now, if ones license enters the 90 day window prior to expiration, they can file the renewal, and continue to operate, even if their license expires during the shutdown. However, if they wait until the shutdown ends to file the renewal, it'll have to get to the FCC within two (2) days, or the license will be expired. Once a license expires, the amateur radio operator is QRT (off the air). And, as noted above, if the license lapses (expires more than 2 years), they have to start all over, by passing the Technician Class exam, and getting a new ham radio callsign. License Terms ============= Ham Radio licenses are good for ten (10) years, and they may be renewed ninety (90) days prior to expiration...NO SOONER. However, if you have a change of address due to a move, you may MODIFY your license in that regard AT ANY TIME. If the FCC is unable to deliver mail to you, your ham radio license, and operating privileges can be suspended and/or revoked until your address is corrected. Operation without a license can result in a stiff monetary forfeiture (a fine) and imprisonment, plus confiscation of your ham radio equipment...fines range from $7500 to $10,000, if not more. However, if you did not renew, you may NOT operate on an EXPIRED ham radio license...whether it's during a government shutdown, or not. But, you have a two (2) year "grace period" if your ham radio license has expired, to reinstate your license. This "holds" your license class privileges and callsign, until your license is renewed. As noted above, the FCC will NOT process the renewal of an expired license during a government shutdown...only after it ends. But, if you do not renew your license before it expires, and do nothing during the 2 year grace period, both your license and callsign will be FORFEITED. At that point, you have NO AUTHORITY to operate on the ham radio bands, and it'll be as if you had NEVER taken a test!! To get back on the air with the previous license class that you held, you MUST take, AT MINIMUM, the Technician Class license, in order to get back into amateur radio. However, once an expired ham radio callsign passes the 2 year grace period, anyone can apply for it under the Vanity Callsign system. So, if you LOSE your current callsign, there is a chance that you may NOT get it back!! Also, if you upgrade your license to General or Amateur Extra, only the license class will change...the license expiration date will remain the same. Only new licensees, or those receiving a Vanity Callsign, get a fresh 10 year term...whether Technician, General, or Amateur Extra. I've known hams who walked into a test session without a license, and walked out with an Amateur Extra Class license...while not easy to do, it can be done. Sequential Versus Vanity Callsigns ================================== Callsigns are normally issued in a sequential callsign system by the FCC, for each license class. Once issued a callsign, you can choose to keep it...or apply for a vanity callsign, after paying the appropriate fee, and submitting the required forms. NOTE: The FCC issued a Report an Order on May 21, 2015, eliminating the Vanity Callsign fee, and that change took effect on Sept. 3, 2015. Those who had previously paid a fee for their Vanity Callsign(s) are NOT eligible for a refund. When applying for a vanity callsign, you'll be required to list twenty-five (25) "requested" calls...as there is a chance that the ones you have requested are currently in use by licensed hams, or they have not passed the 2 year grace period after expiration. If you keep the callsign originally issued to you by the FCC, or ask for (and receive) a new "sequential callsign", you won't have to pay for renewal, as sequential callsigns are "free". If you go through a license renewal service, such as the W5YI renewal on the QRZ website, you will have to pay a processing fee, whether you have a vanity callsign or not. However, members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), who either keep their original callsign that was issued by the FCC, or a newly issued sequential (non-vanity) callsign, can have their license renewed FREE OF CHARGE at the appropriate time, from an ARRL/VEC VE Test Session. This also applies for a license modification (change of address, etc.). 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