Long Range Cruising-Ham License Renew?

[kmgiunta]

I'm not there yet by a long shot but the goal is liveaboard, long range cruising. For those Hams already doing it, how do you deal with making sure that your station license finds you when it's time to renew especially if you don't have residence address? PO Box and forwarding service?

Thank you.


Keith Giunta
KB2LDM - General Class

[IslandInfedel]

One way or another you’re going to need a mail service.

I’d recommend a private company in the state you are going to claim as your residence.

[kmgiunta]

Thanks for the prompt response. I suspected that this would be the method and I appreciate the confirmation.

[Brian.D]

How about family members? The renewal process is simple, free, and is done online. Just have your call assigned to a relative family member. Basically it would be your home of record. If you boat is documented, then there you go. Use your home of record.

Oh... you can print your own copy to keep with you once you have renewed.

[Jammer]

The FCC doesn't routinely mail out license paperwork any more. You will out forms online. They email you a link and you have 30 days or so to download a PDF.

[Jim Cate]

Well, your license has an expiry date on it. When that date approaches, go on line and do the renewal as others have said, and print out your new license certificate. Not a big deal, other than negotiating the rather Byzantine FCC website.

Jim N9GFT/ VK4GFT/mm

[MicHughV]

your current Ham license should have an expiration date on it...you just go online and renew it....should be good for 10 years last time I looked...you can get a wallet size license to stick in your wallet......download straight from the internet, cut to fit your wallet...
...easy peasy......

[MicHughV]

I should add that using your Ham license when in another country sometimes requires a reciprocal license, depending on where you are...you need to go to FCC online to check.

[kmgiunta]

Originally Posted by Jammer

The FCC doesn't routinely mail out license paperwork any more. You will out forms online. They email you a link and you have 30 days or so to download a PDF.

You'd think that I would have remembered this since I JUST did a change of address online and printed out my license. DUH!!!!

Thanks for the reminder.

[kmgiunta]

Originally Posted by Brian.D

How about family members? ....Basically it would be your home of record. If you boat is documented, then there you go. Use your home of record.

Oh... you can print your own copy to keep with you once you have renewed.

This is one of those "now why didn't I think of that" suggestions, especially since that's exactly what I did when I was a long-haul trucker. I lived on the truck and used my son's address for officialdom and for home time. The mind is a terrible thing to lose. lol

Thank you.

[kmgiunta]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

I should add that using your Ham license when in another country sometimes requires a reciprocal license, depending on where you are...you need to go to FCC online to check.

That, I did know but thank you very much. ARRL has an exhaustive list of reciprocal countries as well. I appreciate it.

[kmgiunta]

Originally Posted by Jammer

The FCC doesn't routinely mail out license paperwork any more. You will out forms online. They email you a link and you have 30 days or so to download a PDF.

Don't I feel foolish. I just did that last week when I changed my address. For some reason, that knowledge just didn't make it to the front of my brain. lol

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[kmgiunta]

Thanks all for the replies and helpful suggestions.

[Brian.D]

Originally Posted by kmgiunta

Don't I feel foolish. I just did that last week when I changed my address. For some reason, that knowledge just didn't make it to the front of my brain. lol

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

One can download a copy anytime. Just go to your FRN page and you will see the link to get a copy of the license. Or, if you have your FRN available, there are sites that will print you an nice copy of your license for free.

http://w6nbc.com/images/print%20FCC%20licenses.pdf

Google is your friend.

[MicHughV]

I don't find Ham usage as prevalent as I once did....

Back in the day...my day that is, there was a still a morse code requirement...5, 13 and 20 wpm...but that is no longer the case anymore.....sad.....I thought half the fun of getting a Ham license was to learn code......I found code easier to learn at 20 wpm than 5......so chased after my Extra license....but these days with sat phone, cell towers, laptop computers, etc, few people still have a dedicated Ham radio onboard. The old time Hams are a dying breed.

Might be better off getting a SSB radio that is optimized for Ham.....better quality for offshore salt water environment and usually comes with an automatic tuner......the antenna and a good ground is the " thing" to have !
Several good sources available to help you negotiate which band to use when, maritime nets, etc...

While you are at it, having a modern SSB/Ham radio on board also allows modern day computer hookups to download weather, etc...

You should easily find a Ham club in your neck of the woods. Highly recommend you join a group...you will learn a lot and also likely to find a very knowledgeable person to help you set up your radio/computer/antenna, etc.

After that, "air" time is your friend....the more you use it, the more comfortable you will get with it...see who you can talk too, etc...

What does this have to do with " renewal"?.....nothing....I'm just an old fart rambling away...