I just received this from Norm, K6YXH……..Dan
I was disappointed in the W5YI-VEC when I saw the renewal service notification you sent to my granddaughter, KG6GMQ. The notice made it appear as if she had to use the W5YI-VEC service to renew, and even went so far as to imply that the FCC now required her SSN to effect renewal. I believe this is true only if you don’t renew on-line, if you don’t have an FRN (because anyone who has an FRN has already supplied their SSN), and only if you’ve forgotten your password.
This sentence should be amended to read (appended part in italics):
NOTE THAT FCC NOW REQUIRES YOUR 9-DIGIT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, UNLESS YOU ALREADY HAVE AN FRN, AND USE THE FCC’s FREE ON-LINE SERVICE, IN WHICH CASE YOU MUST ONLY PROVIDE ONLY YOUR FRN AND PASSWORD.The last paragraph, the one that says, “The FCC does not charge to renew your amateur license… but does allow applications to filed on-line via the Internet.” should be inserted higher in the message, like perhaps after the first paragraph. Your website has this information prominently displayed at the top of the page, but neglects to note that the FCC’s on-line service is free.
Your renewal service asks the licensee for their credit card number and SSN – I would be concerned about giving anyone this much personal data.
I’m generally a fan of the W5YI Group, am an accredited W5YI-VEC VE, and appreciate all you’ve done for amateur radio – please update your notification letter.
Norm Goodkin K6YXH
There really is no reason to pay anyone to renew your license. If you need help doing this online, call me or e-mail me, and I will walk you through the process.
Amen! I have walked several people through the process and have posted about this. There is NO REASON to pay ANYONE to renew your license for you. The ONLY fee involved should be if you have a vanity call.
Larry W2LJ
Allen took over during Dec 2023. I needed my license renewed. I AM FULLY AWARE that there is a small FCC fee and no processing fee. Allen charges either an additional $35 or $45 additional service fee to walk your app through. Was it worth it, did Allen take advantage of me? Absolutely not! It was more than worthwhile. It was worth100% percent of “pocket change” to have him do it. On his website he has a redesigned form to fill out and pay. Three minutes of time and done. The FCC was a total pain in the back side. An hour to unsuccessfully locate the form. I don’t have any access to “my portal” and to top it off you can’t pay from your smartphone. FCC miserable experience. A big pat on the back to Allen.
I paid W5YI to process my application for a once in a lifetime vanity call. My initials! The day came to apply and the employee called in sick. “Family emergency” and my application was never filed. I am livid.
I used W5YI to renew my Ham license ..how can I know for sure that my license got renewed..my call sign is… WA6OXL
I paid W5YI to renew my licence, is there something about this service that might be a scam to make money to take advantage be of people like me.. Thank you …Paul Thompson
You can go to qrz.com and do a call-sign search. If you are signed in on qrz.com you will be shown the name, address, and maybe the email address of the call-sign you searched for. Down a bit is a tab for Details. My qrz.com search for WA6OXL shows this call-sign expires on the last day of 2027.
Paul, the license WA6OXL is renewed through 12/31/2027. You can check this yourself by searching your callsign on qrz.com or in the FCC database (https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp).
W5YI’s license renewal service isn’t a scam; it’s just unnecessary. As Dan pointed out, you can renew it yourself online for free when the time comes.
Yeah I just got one of these in the mail myself this is ridiculous! they make it seem like this is an official notice to renew your license through them and it’s nothing but an advertisement to charge you $7!
Many years ago I used their service. At the time the FCC’s website was poorly done and difficult to navigate. Many people had problems. I realized I could do it myself for free but didn’t have time to deal with it and was happy to spend the $5 to get it done. I suppose their letters could be a bit less hard sell, but if one reads and understands the material it is honest. I can’t imagine they make much money doing it.