Source: ARRL News - 5/9/2022

FCC Resumes Processing License Applications The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) reports that the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) electronic batch filing (EBF) system is back online and functioning normally. A message sent by the FCC ULS EBF Team to VECs explains that the technical issues with ULS EBF filing are resolved, and that VECs may resume submitting files containing amateur radio license applications. ARRL VEC has submitted most of the backlog of its files for applications processed on, or after, April 27, and expects to have all of the backlog submitted by the end of the day (May 9).

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April 27, 2022

Problems began mid-day on Tuesday, April 19, the day the new $35 license application fee went into effect, when the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS) electronic batch filing (EBF) system went down. Although the FCC restored the system shortly thereafter, the Commission has not be able to process successfully applications requiring the payment of a fee, including issuing new call signs. The FCC has been processing upgrade applications without issues because there are no fees required for those applications.

Amateur radio license filings are currently on hold until further notice. The FCC did not estimate how long the system would be down.

Read the full story here.

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March 23, 2022

The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission's authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress.

The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. The fee will be per application.

Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, will be exempt from fees.

Read full story here.

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May 20, 2021

Amateur Radio Applications may no longer use your Social Security Number. As of May 20,2021 the application must include the applicants FRN number for submission. This means you must register with the FCC and get your FRN before your application can be submitted.

The FCC has provided a CORES Registration Video describing the process of registering with the FCC and obtaining your FRN.

April 12, 2021

The rule changes the FCC described in a lengthy 2019 Report and Order governing RF exposure standards went 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.

Read the full story here.

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Note:   Here are some links to RF Exposure information that may be of use:
ARRL RF Exposure ARRL's coverage of this subject.
RF Exposure and You ARRL Pdf by Ed Hare, W1RF, ARRL Lab Supervisor
RF Exposure Calculator v2.2 (2021-05-07) by Paul Evans, VP9KF , Hintlink Technology.
RF Exposure Calculator from Lake Wasington Ham Club
RF Exposure Calculator Spreadseet" From Ham Radio School

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Access to experienced Amateur Radio Opera-tors (Hams) who volunteer as mentors to enhance enjoyment of our popular hobby and service. With more than 400 members, RARS is able to offer a wide array of public service, education, and advocacy activities covering many aspects of the Amateur Radio experience.

Many RARS members members contribute their skills and equipment in support of community service organizations across the RTP area, providing communications to many worthwhile nonprofit and charitable organizations. Typically when organizations hold fundraising events such as bicycle rallys, walk/run marathons, and Special Olympics. For example, the National MS Society has several walks in the spring, and a major bike tour in the fall. These events are outdoors, spread over several miles (150 miles for the MS-150 Bike tour). Ham Radio and repeaters are ideal for providing both logistical and safety communications.

RARS members also provide a public service through participation in such organizations as ARES and Skywarn which provide Emergency Communications Services to Public Safety officials and Government Agencies.

The RARS website supports a very active classified add listing that anyone can see but only RARS Members have posting privledges. The classified ads are among the busiest pages of our website and the ads are a free service provided to all RARS members.

RARS members stay in touch in a lot of ways either in person or on-the-air

• The RARS 2 meter net is held nightly on one of the 2 club repeaters.
• The monthly RARS Dinner is on the first Tuesday of each month.
• The RARS Membership Meeting is held on the second Tuesday of each month.
• RARSfest, held each spring, is one of the laregest hamfests in the state, drawing commercial dealers and vendors from around the country.
• The annual international operating event called "Field Day", an exercise in setting up emergtency communications sp where members show their ability to provide communications in an emergency or other adverse conditions.

Other RARS activities can often be found on the RARS Calendar or in our monthly newsletter, The "Exciter".

RARS conducts license classes for both initial licensing and advancement to higher class licenses. There are also frequent technical programs at our meetings as well as a weekly technical net on the club repeater. The RARS VE (Volunteer Examiner) team also conducts about half a dozen License Exam Sessions each year. For the newly licensed there is a NEW HAM meeting each month before the Membership Meeting. There is also a weekly Tech-Net on the club repeater.

Many RARS members participate in on-the-air events either as individuals or together such as:

• Contests where points are scored for making a number of contacts, different locations, different types of stations, different operating modes, etc. Certificates are awarded to the high scores and bragging rights are always claimed.
• RARS sponsors the NC QSO Party each year. A QSO party is an operating event "contest" where points are awarded for contacting ohter stations with special emphasis on contacts made with a specific state. Each state has an annual QSO party and RARS sponsors the one for North Carolina providing a plaque for the contest.
• RARS also sponsors a "Sixty-four on Six-Four" award for confirming 64 contacts on the RARS 146.64 MHz repeater.
• DXing is making contacts with foreign countries. The ARRL awards coveted certificates for confirming contact with 100 or more different countries. Higher level endorsements are also awarded for confirming contact with higher numbers of countries.
• Special Event stations are often set up at historic sites or at special events and special call signs may be authorized by the FCC for use at these Special Event stations. Unique QSL cards are usually available for having made contact with a Special Event station.
• Fox Hunts are an exercise in finding hidden transmitters. Transmissions will be made from an undisclosed location and hams compete to see who can find the transmitter first.

While some of the RARS benefits are available without actually becoming a paid member of RARS, there are some great benfits that are restricted to Members Only:

• A voice in club operation. Only RARS Members in good standing may vote on issues that are brought before the membership.
• RARS Leadership. Only RARS Members may hold officer positions in RARS.
• Access to the RARS Email-List reflector facilitating group discussions via email.
• Access to the RARS Roster.
• Ability to post items for sale in the online RARS Classified Ads.
• Sell items on the RARS Table at RARSfest
• Purchase RARS branded items: polo shirts, badges, etc.