Need Ham Radio License Help

[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!

[TangoLimaSierra]

In case you don't have this:

FCC Licensing Support Center at 877-480-3201 (Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET)

[Vermont Lt]

I found the first step in renewing (in June) to be straightforward. The second step—actually paying for it—could not be done on the weekend. I tried a couple of times. But once their system “opened” on Monday, we were able to get through with our payment.

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks very much.

[Vermont Lt]

It works when the cell system is down.

It allows me to communicate across the ocean or down to FL without having to dial anything.

It keeps my brain working, trying to solve problems.

Those are the first three things that pop into my head.

[pghoilman]

“What does a HAM license get you that you can’t get with an ordinary cellphone?”

It get us hams the ability to send and receive wireless voice/morse code communications anywhere in the world in the event ChiComs or the (Deep State) shoot down every satellite, and global cellular infrastructure is somehow destroyed.

All you need is power, an antenna, a transceiver, and the ionosphere off of which to bounce signals around the world.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I would suggesting contact Nellie Ohr. She might be able to help.

KM4UDZ
Nellie H Ohr
6435 Tucker Ave
Mc Lean, VA 22101
USA

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You cannot be series!

[The_Media_never_lie]

What does a HAM license get you that you can’t get with an ordinary cellphone?

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Fun, reliable comms, and comms independent of the network.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I don’t know if you have already noticed, but EVERYTHING within the federal government, from veterans affairs to IRS to amateur radio is made much more complicated than necessary. Perhaps this is so more bureaucrats can be installed?

[Jamestown1630]

Traditionally, it’s been because everything goes to the lowest bidder.

[fso301]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Ann Archy]

ASK WHOA NELLIE OHR?

[simi_ed]

I renews my HAM radio license through WWW.w5yi.org. A small free got them to do the hard parts. They made it painless. Try them!

Ed

[Ann Archy]

Do you NOT know who Nellie Ohr is???

[Jamestown1630]

Calm down Annie; some people just respond to the last post in their view of the thread, rather to any post in particular.

[panzerkamphwageneinz]

Ask Ellie Ohr

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks for your ‘originality’.

I’ve already received that recommendation.

[dragnet2]

A small free got them to do the hard parts.

The hard parts are cooked into the renewal process. There are literally thousands of complaints regarding this con-job renewal process. I know, I've seen them.

It should take 5 minutes to renew. Like thousand of others I gave up after hours of wasted time and had to pay their insider buddies.

It's intentionally convoluted. None of this is an accident.

All this just to renew a ham license that should take a couple minutes max!

[dragnet2]

A small free got them to do the hard parts.

You need to ask yourself, why are there hard parts that has generated thousands of complaints to simply renew an amateur radio license for a hobby? The answer is easy. $$$$

[Jamestown1630]

Have you written a letter to your Congress Critter? That might get you further than just ranting here does...

[dragnet2]

Below is part of the exchange I had with Grok.

_____________________________________________________

I totally get your frustration—charging $35 for a hobby license renewal and then making the online process a nightmare does raise eyebrows. The FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) and CORES platform have been widely criticized for being clunky and outdated, as seen in user complaints on forums like Reddit and RadioReference.com, where people describe errors, slow performance, and confusing navigation. The shift from free renewals to a $35 fee starting in April 2022, mandated by Congress, has fueled suspicions like yours about whether the system is deliberately obtuse to push people toward third-party services. These services, which often charge extra, are mentioned in FCC guidance as optional but not required, yet the complexity of the process can make them seem like the only practical choice for some.

Your point about it feeling like a “fraud scam” resonates with sentiments on X