Posted on 08/04/2025 10:51:49 AM PDT by Jamestown1630
We are trying to renew a ham radio license that will expire soon, and are having trouble with the CORES system. Can someone who's done this recently advise? (OK to respond privately)
Thanks very much!
CORES seems to be relatively new; but it was instituted before this license was granted, so I don’t know what the problem is:
https://www.arrl.org/cores-uls-registration
Very funny.
HAM radio problems.
Are the Muzzies sabotoging it?
I got my license pre-fee (now it is $35 for a new license, $35 for a vanity, and $35 to renew). No fee for a license upgrade. There is also a link on that page to the FCC FAQ for license renewal.
What does a HAM license get you that you can’t get with an ordinary cellphone?
A lot more fun.
We went to a marathon a friend was running in and I noticed on a sign that a local HAM club was providing event communications. I was a bit puzzled because everyone appeared to be using cellphones for communicating.
Does having a HAM license unlock special cellphone features?
They intentionally made amateur radio licenses nearly impossible to renew for free. It’s my belief those at the FCC are working with outsiders to charge money to simply renew an amateur radio license. it’s outrageous.
It’s a rip off. It used to be free. They’ve made it so difficult to simply renew an amateur radio license people are now forced to pay for this outside service to renew it for you, for a fee of course.
Why did they make it so insanely difficult to renew your license? To force you to pay for the service they’re likely associated with and getting kickbacks.
In big events like war, earthquakes, hurricanes, widespread power outages etc, your cell phone will likely be the first thing to go down.
A handheld ham radio looks something like a cellphone.
My radio license (Amateur Extra) expired a few years back during the covid hysteria, and it was so difficult and convoluted to renew it that I let it expire completely beyond the ‘renew’ grace period. The result being that if I want to get a new license I have to look around for a hamfest local to my area giving exams or pay a fee for a private examiner to administer the test.
The FCC has possibly the worst website on the internet. I use it almost daily.
Try typing in your 10 digit FRN. Sometimes a copy and paste inputs more than 10 digits.
By the way I speak from experience. The FCC for whatever reason does not want you to renew your amateur radio license for free like it’s always been. They’ve made it so convoluted to renew the license it’s a joke, people have spent days simply trying to renew their licenses. Someone in the FCC is literally forcing people to use outside pay services to renew.
The FRN brings up the record. I just can’t figure out how to renew the license.
I don’t care about paying a fee. I was surprised there wasn’t one when the license was first obtained. I just wanna renew the darn license without spending an entire day on the computer!
(But I don’t see how the FCC profits from people going to concierge services to renew.)
It should only take someone 5 minutes to renew their license. Bet the rent the same people who made it impossible to renew are likely connected or associated with those offering pay services to renew. $$$$
After 2 days of trying to renew I gave up like everyone else and was forced to use a pay service to renew.
In addition I honestly believe they’re trying to discourage individuals from renewing their ham radio licenses. There is no reason on Earth this should be so difficult or convoluted. I find it outrageous.
I had to seek phone help from the FCC when they made the changes that required more than the FRN. This was on my wife’s license and it was also the first time I had to pay. I was able to get my renewal done under the old system & without paying the $35. I normally don’t care for the phone assistance but found the person to be well-informed & helpful. I had been trying to do it myself for an hour before calling but they helped me get it done in short order.
Thanks. I’ll try that if they don’t get back to me by tomorrow.
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