Radio amateurs will know, or ought to know, that the new 'licence for life' issued in 2007 must be re-validated every five years and the onus is upon each licensed amateur to do that. Ofcom does not issue reminders, and if the amateur concerned does not log onto Ofcom's website to re-validate their licence, it will lapse and if they go on air, they commit a criminal offence. My own licence was due for re-validation by 26 February 2012, so I've logged onto Ofcom's website, where I noted the following statement:
Due to the anticipated workload at the time of the London Olympic and Parlaympic Games in 2012, exceptionally, Ofcom has automatically validated Amateur licences which were issued from November 2006 to August 2007, extending by one year the latest date that these particular licences would need their first validation - i.e. November 2012 to August 2013 or 6 years from their respective dates of issue. Licences issued after August 2007 will need validation as usual in the normal way - at least once every 5 years.
I've just logged on and checked that Ofcom have indeed extended my validation date to 26 February 2013. The link is here, for anyone who wishes to cehck their own situation:
https://services.ofcom.org.uk/
Ofcom states:
Please note: If you have not yet registered to use the Ofcom Online Licensing Service you will need to do so in order to access your licence online. When registering for the first time you will need to have details of your lifetime licence number. You will no longer be required to renew your licence every year or pay renewal fees. You just need to validate your licence details on a timely basis (please refer to your lifetime licence terms and conditions); Once you’ve registered your details with Ofcom’s website, you will be able to make changes to your personal details and validate your licence online at your own convenience. In accordance with the terms and conditions of your radio licence you are obliged to inform Ofcom of any changes to your licence or personal details.
If you registered with Ofcom when your new licence was issues some time in 2007, you should have been notified of your username and chosen a password. If you've fogotten your password, you can click on 'forgot password' and will be asked your 'memorable question' and when you enter that, (eg, your town of birth or whatever you chose at the time), Ofcom will issue a new password. Having accessed the site, you can change the password if you wish.
I dare say that many amateurs will fail to re-validate their licence as required, some may have gone to the 'shack in the sky' etc, and in any event, the Ofcom database is a bit of a shambles - the number of licences issued bears little resemblance to the actual number of amateurs, as many amateurs have three or more callsigns and licences. All amateurs must first take out the mandatory Foundation Licence, but when they upgrade to the 'Intermediate' and 'Full' Ofcom don't cancel the lower grade licence - that's up to the individual. It's a bit like a provisional licence holder passing his driving test but keeping his provisional licence, requiring him to have L Plates, drive under the supervision of a driver with a full licence, and stay off motorways. As long as you have one licence Ofcom are content, but if for some inexplicable reason, you want to keep three, Ofcom will be quite happy so long as you comply with the terms of the licence when using that callsign.
(I only keep my licence up out of nostalgia - I never bother to go on air - to my ears, it's just become 'posh CB').
Due to the anticipated workload at the time of the London Olympic and Parlaympic Games in 2012, exceptionally, Ofcom has automatically validated Amateur licences which were issued from November 2006 to August 2007, extending by one year the latest date that these particular licences would need their first validation - i.e. November 2012 to August 2013 or 6 years from their respective dates of issue. Licences issued after August 2007 will need validation as usual in the normal way - at least once every 5 years.
I've just logged on and checked that Ofcom have indeed extended my validation date to 26 February 2013. The link is here, for anyone who wishes to cehck their own situation:
https://services.ofcom.org.uk/
Ofcom states:
Please note: If you have not yet registered to use the Ofcom Online Licensing Service you will need to do so in order to access your licence online. When registering for the first time you will need to have details of your lifetime licence number. You will no longer be required to renew your licence every year or pay renewal fees. You just need to validate your licence details on a timely basis (please refer to your lifetime licence terms and conditions); Once you’ve registered your details with Ofcom’s website, you will be able to make changes to your personal details and validate your licence online at your own convenience. In accordance with the terms and conditions of your radio licence you are obliged to inform Ofcom of any changes to your licence or personal details.
If you registered with Ofcom when your new licence was issues some time in 2007, you should have been notified of your username and chosen a password. If you've fogotten your password, you can click on 'forgot password' and will be asked your 'memorable question' and when you enter that, (eg, your town of birth or whatever you chose at the time), Ofcom will issue a new password. Having accessed the site, you can change the password if you wish.
I dare say that many amateurs will fail to re-validate their licence as required, some may have gone to the 'shack in the sky' etc, and in any event, the Ofcom database is a bit of a shambles - the number of licences issued bears little resemblance to the actual number of amateurs, as many amateurs have three or more callsigns and licences. All amateurs must first take out the mandatory Foundation Licence, but when they upgrade to the 'Intermediate' and 'Full' Ofcom don't cancel the lower grade licence - that's up to the individual. It's a bit like a provisional licence holder passing his driving test but keeping his provisional licence, requiring him to have L Plates, drive under the supervision of a driver with a full licence, and stay off motorways. As long as you have one licence Ofcom are content, but if for some inexplicable reason, you want to keep three, Ofcom will be quite happy so long as you comply with the terms of the licence when using that callsign.
(I only keep my licence up out of nostalgia - I never bother to go on air - to my ears, it's just become 'posh CB').
Regards, David.
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
BVWS Member.
G-QRP Club Member 1339.
'I'm in my own little world, but I'm happy, and they know me here'
