HAM License Renewal - Caution

[CraginS]

My Ham license expires on July 15. Today in the mail, I got a very official renewal notice, with an envelope and several forms, including one pre-printed with my name address, and call sign.. all just right
I could fill out and sign a couple of forms, and give them a credit card to pay the $7 fee to renew.
Oh, and on one of the forms they insist on having my Social Security Number.

Here is the warning... this mailing is NOT from the FCC
It is from "Amateur Renewal Service, The W5YI VEC, Dallas Texas."
And I suspect if I filled out the forms and sent my money, they'd pass them on to the FCC and my license would be renewed.
However, the FCC charges no fee!. You can renew ham licenses for free. And, as Tom McGowan pointed out a few months ago... you can do it all online.
Check your license. They last ten years
File for renewal 30-60 days, but no more than 90 days, before your license expiration date.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home

[mcgowantk]

Thanks for the reminder Cragin. I was greatly impressed how easy it was to renew my license online. If you don't know when your license expires, it takes just a moment to find out at the FCC website.

Tom