Red River Radio Amateurs

“The Federal Communications Commission will be changing the way new amateur radio applicants register for a FCC Registration Number (FRN)”¹—the identification number needed by those who are “doing business” with the Commission (e.g. applying for a radio operator license, paying fees).

The FCC have released a short HOWTO video demonstrating the registration procedure. Please note that e-mail address verification is required when creating an FCC User Profile; applicants will need access to their e-mail account during profile creation.

Two years ago KA0LDG made a presentation titled RF Exposure Evaluation for Amateur Radio Operators (PDF and Powerpoint versions are available in the Training and Education | Presentations folder on the RRRA Groupware server) in anticipation of the updated FCC RF exposure rules.

This week ARRL reports in ARRL General Bulletin ARLB011 (2021) and the Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on May 3 News story:

The FCC has announced that rule changes detailed in a lengthy 2019 Report and Order governing RF exposure standards go into effect on May 3, 2021. The new rules do not change existing RF exposure (RFE) limits but do require that stations in all services, including amateur radio, be evaluated against existing limits, unless they are exempted. For stations already in place, that evaluation must be completed by May 3, 2023. After May 3 of this year, any new station, or any existing station modified in a way that’s likely to change its RFE profile—such as different antenna or placement or greater power—will need to conduct an evaluation by the date of activation or change. ¹

On December 23, 2020, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a reduced Amateur Radio application fee of $35. This new fee is part of the application fee schedule published in Report and Order FCC 20-184 (R&O).

ARRL News reported on December 21, 2020, “The FCC is encouraging users of the Universal Licensing Service (ULS) to have an e-mail address on file with the FCC.” ¹

This is to ensure that ULS users are ready for the FCC’s upcoming transition to electronic-only licensing correspondence.

Sometime in mid-2021 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will complete their transition to “electronic correspondence and will no longer print or provide wireless licensees with hard-copy authorizations or registrations by mail.” ¹

This transition will require all Amateur Radio licensees—both existing and applicants—to provide a valid e-mail address on license applications. Licensees will also be required to maintain a valid e-mail address in their ULS record in the same way that they must maintain a valid mailing address.