Trying to renew a long expired license

[OffRoaderX]

22 minutes ago, WRTC928 said:

I was just curious if it was common to have more than one FRN.

upon reflection - it probably is common because the FCC website is such a dumpster-fire that a lot of people may create an FRN for a license then are never able to log back in/recover it for an additional license, so they end up having to create a new FRN... This happened to me..

[WRTC928]

Just now, OffRoaderX said:

upon reflection - it probably is common because the FCC website is such a dumpster-fire that a lot of people may create an FRN for a license then are never able to log back in/recover it for an additional license, so they end up having to create a new FRN... This happened to me..

You have a good point. It almost happened to me. Just when I was about to give up and start over, a miracle occurred and I was able to log in.

[Jaay]

On 4/18/2025 at 10:30 AM, WSEZ864 said:

Gotta be careful with Google AI with these technical/administrative questions.

I've been trying to help a blind Canadian immigrant get his US ham license. Due to the difficulty in studying, he is having great difficulty with the Tech exam and after unsuccessful several tries, he was looking for an easier way.

Google AI told him his existing Canada license can be 'converted' to an equivalent grade US amateur radio license, which, after much legwork and investigation, we determined is NOT true.

The actual situation is that one must pass the US exam to get the US license. Period. The corollary is that he CAN operate under a reciprocal agreement using his Canadian ticket while in the US until a) his Canada license expires, or b) until he becomes a US citizen. I think this is the point Google AI misunderstood and misrepresented - reciprocation vs conversion.

Bottom line: Google AI rendered incorrect information that gave the guy false hope and took us a couple weeks to clear up.

AI is something to tread lightly with. I Don't trust ANY AI apps or programs,but then I have trust issues, anyway.

[WRTC928]

19 hours ago, Jaay said:

AI is something to tread lightly with. I Don't trust ANY AI apps or programs,but then I have trust issues, anyway.

I don't have "trust issues" -- I have "learned experience".

[Jaay]

On 4/20/2025 at 8:18 PM, WRTC928 said:

I don't have "trust issues" -- I have "learned experience".

I do as well, 40+ years worth in technology and coms. But AI is not something the industry has explored enough with yet, and autonomous learning in certain devices needs to be handled carefully.

[Jaay]

On 4/19/2025 at 8:18 PM, OffRoaderX said:

upon reflection - it probably is common because the FCC website is such a dumpster-fire that a lot of people may create an FRN for a license then are never able to log back in/recover it for an additional license, so they end up having to create a new FRN... This happened to me..

Right. It happens easier than most think, and I'm sure Many have decided to let a ham license lapse, or a commercial, or gmrs license lapse, then one day you decide to make the investment again ... Guess what ? Too many Frn's and which one was which ? The gentleman I talked with at CORES said this happens quite often, and sometimes even the commission has been known to mouse up your file and Frn's as well.

[Bogieboy01]

On 4/18/2025 at 12:33 PM, EternalNoob said:

Don't know what "cw" means (again, I'm new). As for the call sign, the DMV is unlikely to let this particular combination of numbers and letters fly on a vanity plate. I apologize if I'm coming off as a troll. I was genuinely asking. 

"Tongue twister" is actually a spot-on way to describe it, come to think of it, but this is a family forum so I'll leave it at that. 

so now i am curious.... what exactly did yo....er....your friend get assigned as a callsign? better or worse than mine at WSHS666  which was assigned march 29th of this year....LOL half the guys on the local repeater call me triple inverted nine because they are too superstitious to call out 666...