Re: Renewal Question

"Scott Dudley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> After many years as KA0GOF, DA1TY, and KB7EAT, I allowed my novice ticket
> to expire.  Many, many hours were spent making CW QRP QSO's in that time.
> Life got busy, kids were growing, and had little time for this beloved
> hobby.  Ticket expired 11/07/99.  A friend suggested he thought there was
> a more liberal grace period for novices but only thing I find on-line is 2
> years.  Can anyone enlighten me?  Do I need to retest?  Had code speed to
> 20+ wpm at one time but would have to re-learn theory and all.
>


You are outside the grace period for renewal and the license system is now
different than when you tested before.  You will have to retake a written
test.  There are only three license classes:  Technician, General and Extra.
The Tech is a no code license and grants VHF and higher frequencies only but
you do get all modes and full legal limit power in the VHF and up range.
You only need 5wpm to get the Tech HF privileges, which are the same as the
old Novice HF privileges.  If you can prove you ever held a Novice ticket
(old license, old callbook, verification from FCC), you do not have to
re-take the code test.  Today, the only code you have to pass for ANY
license class is 5wpm.

So here is what you can do:

1) Present proof of previous Novice license and take current Tech test - You
will have the Tech license with (limited) HF privileges.  Keep that proof of
your old Novice license though to prove you do have these privileges as the
FCC database will not show your HF qualifications and you may have to prove
it.

I would recommend then studying for your General.  You can either take it at
the same time as your Tech test or take it later.  By taking these two
written tests and showing your proof of your previous Novice license, then
you will be granted a General class ticket.

If you want more frequencies, you can then take the written for Extra.

Once you pass your tests, you will receive a new 2x3 call if you receive a
Tech or General license.  Extras can receive a 2x2 call beginning with AA
through AL.  There are no other 2x2 and no 1x3, 1x2,  or 2x1 calls available
for sequential issue.  Some of them are, however, available via the vanity
call system.

So get back in and join the fun.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE
ARRL & W5YI Volunteer Examiner