Anybody know what the delay/backlog is for tickets post-shutdown?

[Northcutt114]

I realize that this is a fairly niche question, especially since this is a GMRS website, but I thought I'd give it a stab. I couldn't find an answer anywhere...even on redditt. Anybody have any idea? I passed my exam just a few days after the shutdown. I've heard "for every day, expect it to take three" but I have no basis in fact anywhere for that. As someone who has waited double digit months for Form 1's and 4's, I'm not unused to waiting. Just curious. Thanks!

 

[SteveShannon]

Here’s as much as anyone knows right now:

https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-vec-ready-to-file-2-500-ham-radio-license-applications-fcc-extends-renewal-filing-deadline

[Northcutt114]

So it sounds like, even as early as yesterday, no one knows. The system for prosessing them isn't even up and online. Oh well...waited this long. A few more months won't hurt. Thanks, Steve!

 

“The EBF system is used by ARRL VEC and all VEC organizations to file exam sessions, individual applications, and club license applications,” said Somma. “This means that applications for new and upgraded licenses, as well as individual and club license filings, are not being processed at this time.”

[SteveShannon]

4 hours ago, Northcutt114 said:

So it sounds like, even as early as yesterday, no one knows. The system for prosessing them isn't even up and online. Oh well...waited this long. A few more months won't hurt. Thanks, Steve!

 

“The EBF system is used by ARRL VEC and all VEC organizations to file exam sessions, individual applications, and club license applications,” said Somma. “This means that applications for new and upgraded licenses, as well as individual and club license filings, are not being processed at this time.”

I really think it will take less time than that to get caught up. EBF will go very quickly once it’s back in service. 

[Northcutt114]

14 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

EBF will go very quickly once it’s back in service. 

That's the question, though. When will it go back in service? I realize that you don't know. It's a rhetorical question.

 

 

[SteveShannon]

10 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

That's the question, though. When will it go back in service? I realize that you don't know. It's a rhetorical question.

I would guess (truly a guess) that EBF (electronic batch filing) will be returned to service within the next week or two.  

[Northcutt114]

10 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

I would guess (truly a guess) that EBF (electronic batch filing) will be returned to service within the next week or two.  

Well, your guess would be absolutely incorrect. I got an email just now asking for payment. 

EBF must have been turned out at some point today, I guess. Happy Day! I'll be a HAM in a day or three. 

[HHD1]

23 hours ago, Northcutt114 said:

Well, your guess would be absolutely incorrect. I got an email just now asking for payment. 

EBF must have been turned out at some point today, I guess. Happy Day! I'll be a HAM in a day or three. 

Congrats.  I want to go for one but I don't know where to study.  There's way too many "choices" when I search online.

[SteveShannon]

42 minutes ago, HHD1 said:

Congrats.  I want to go for one but I don't know where to study.  There's way too many "choices" when I search online.

HamStudy.org. I really enjoyed using it. It’s free unless you want to download the app for your phone and that’s not very expensive. 

[Northcutt114]

20 hours ago, HHD1 said:

Congrats.  I want to go for one but I don't know where to study.  There's way too many "choices" when I search online.

I'll second @SteveShannon's suggestion of hamstudy.org . It's what I used. And in study mode, the algorithm is really helpful. If you miss a question, it keeps popping up until you get it right. I don't think I studied more than a week or so and passed the technician 34/35. Then again, having been in GMRS for awhile, the knowledge transferred - so that helped.

Email came in today. I have a call sign!

 

[SteveShannon]

5 hours ago, Northcutt114 said:

I'll second @SteveShannon's suggestion of hamstudy.org . It's what I used. And in study mode, the algorithm is really helpful. If you miss a question, it keeps popping up until you get it right. I don't think I studied more than a week or so and passed the technician 34/35. Then again, having been in GMRS for awhile, the knowledge transferred - so that helped.

Email came in today. I have a call sign!

 

Congratulations!  What’s your call sign?

[Northcutt114]

11 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Congratulations!  What’s your call sign?

This is...Kilo Romeo Four, Hotel Foxtrot Delta. 

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, Northcutt114 said:

This is...Kilo Romeo Four, Hotel Foxtrot Delta. 

73 de AI7KS 

[Jaay]

16 hours ago, Northcutt114 said:

This is...Kilo Romeo Four, Hotel Foxtrot Delta. 

Congrats, n9zas here ! 

[GreggInFL]

Showoffs.

(WRYP592)

[GreggInFL]

73.

[SteveShannon]

59 minutes ago, GreggInFL said:

73.

And 73 and 88 right back at you Gregg!

[GreggInFL]

4 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

And 73 and 88 right back at you Gregg!

I had to look that one up. Surprised Randy hasn't jumped in.

[OffRoaderX]

5 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

And 73 and 88 right back at you Gregg!

69s to you both!

[NCJeb]

On 11/22/2025 at 9:49 AM, Northcutt114 said:

This is...Kilo Romeo Four, Hotel Foxtrot Delta. 

Congratulations! Thats a really nice call, better than getting randomly assigned a tongue twister

 

73s and welcome to dual licensure

WX4AMS//WSIS981

[HHD1]

On 11/20/2025 at 8:14 PM, SteveShannon said:

HamStudy.org. I really enjoyed using it. It’s free unless you want to download the app for your phone and that’s not very expensive. 

I'm giving it a shot.  Turns out I know quite a few answers just from my time here on MyGMRS.com

[Northcutt114]

1 hour ago, HHD1 said:

I'm giving it a shot.  Turns out I know quite a few answers just from my time here on MyGMRS.com

You'll find that to be the case. The very first time I took the test, no studying at all, I got 20/35, just from what I already knew through general knowledge and GMRS.

[Jaay]

12 hours ago, GreggInFL said:

Showoffs.

(WRYP592)

Showoffs, Where ? WSCL633/ N9ZAS

[Jaay]

4 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

69s to you both!

77's You get Eight more than 69 ! 

[WRYZ926]

We had a guy that took his test and submit everything during the shutdown. He got notification to pay his $35 this past Thursday Nov 20th. He received his call sign The next day.