The below came out from the ARRL this morning, and inquiring minds want to know: Does anybody know what happens to the $35 sent in for vanity callsign applications that are denied? Is there still a mechanism still in place for those to apply for reimbursement? Some people apply for 1X2 or 2X1 callsigns where there is competition for those callsign. If the call(s) they want goes to somebody else they have to keep trying for new available callsigns and paying the $35 fees for each application until they win one. Will they be able to apply to get their money back for the ones they lose out on, (as it was before), or does the FCC now get to keep the money? 73; Mike w7VO
---------- Original Message ---------- From: ARRL Web site <memberlist@www.arrl.org> To: w7vo@comcast.net Date: 08/17/2021 9:47 AM Subject: ARLB021 FCC Application Fees Unlikely to Go into Effect Until 2022
SB QST @ ARL $ARLB021 ARLB021 FCC Application Fees Unlikely to Go into Effect Until 2022
ZCZC AG21 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 21 ARLB021 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT August 17, 2021 To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB021 ARLB021 FCC Application Fees Unlikely to Go into Effect Until 2022
The schedule of FCC amateur radio application fees likely will not go into effect before 2022. FCC staff confirmed during a recent virtual meeting with Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs) that the agency is still working on the necessary changes to the Universal Licensing System (ULS) software and other processes and procedures that must be in place before it starts collecting fees from amateur applicants. Earlier this year, the FCC said it would not start collecting fees from amateur applicants before this Summer. The new estimate is that the fees won't go into effect until early next year.
Once it's effective, the $35 application fee will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application. Administrative update applications, such as those to change a licensee's name, mailing, or email address, will be exempt from fees. ARRL VEC manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams will not face the burden of collecting the $35 fee.
"Once the FCC application fee takes effect, new and upgrade applicants will pay the exam session fee to the VE team as usual, but they'll pay the $35 application fee directly to the FCC using the FCC Pay Fees system," she explained. When the FCC receives the examination information from the VEC, it will email a link with payment instructions to each successful candidate who then will have 10 days from the date of the email to pay.
The FCC Pay Fees system can be accessed at, https://apps2.fcc.gov/Batch_Filer/login.cfm .
After the fee is paid and the FCC has processed an application, examinees will receive a second email from the FCC with a link to their official license. The link will be good for 30 days. Licensees also will be able to view, download, and print official license copies by logging into their FCC ULS account. The FCC no longer provides printed licenses.
Licensees can log into the ULS with their 10-digit FRN (FCC Registration Number) and password at any time to view and manage their license and application, print their license, and update anything in their FCC license record, including adding an email address.
FEE SCHEDULE:
INDIVIDUALS -
$35 FEE: New, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.
NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, or license cancellation.
AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS -
$35 FEE: New, renewal, trustee change, and vanity call sign applications. All fees will be per application.
NO FEE: Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, or license cancellation. NNNN /EX