I was running my mobile rig a few months ago and a cop was wondering what I was doing and checked me out. I explained my situation and he insisted on seeing my HAM license. Although I had my reference copy in my wallet, I didn't show it to him because he was being a dick. When I told him to go to the FCC website to verify it, he became even more of a dick, but he eventually left me alone to hassle someone else. Just another example of being expected to prove one's innocence.
@WH6FQE19 күн бұрын
I recently had a cop ask to see my license as well. So I asked to see his FCC enforcement ID card😂
@Gordon70518 күн бұрын
@@WH6FQE ABSOLUYELY ! We don't have to prove anything to a local cop ! An FCC employee can request to see our equipment and documents AND that's it. Having just gotten my callsign in April I never did get anything official looking in the mail. KF8AKV
@chrismckenna536118 күн бұрын
I would have told him to kick rocks
@rileymcinnis761417 күн бұрын
LOL
@chrissewell160817 күн бұрын
As a former Cop. Police officers have no authority to enforce any FCC rules. So why did they even give a shit, is beyond me! (Its a wonder they even knew about Ham Radio, most don't.) But many Cops are Ham radio operators too! I was, at the time! Maybe they were just being curious about ham radio? Maybe you came off as a dick to them? Either way, its not a good idea to piss off the Police, as a general rule.
@michaelstora7019 күн бұрын
Neat but what does this have to do with "staying legal"?
@bobsullivan571417 күн бұрын
Yep....There's the bottom line, right there.
@ravenbarsrepairs559419 күн бұрын
No need for a physical license. Your official license is the entry in the FCC database.
@tyrosinekinase19 күн бұрын
yes-but, I like having an official-looking card for suspicious people who say things like "in this day and age terrorists". Lotta paranoia in the world and I prefer to calm them with a cheap symbol of authority as a first tactic. :-)
@daniell838719 күн бұрын
HAving the document on hand is useful if you get accosted by a police officer who is having a bad day
@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp19 күн бұрын
Smart man. And hopefully, it stays there. No better way to track the deadline of your license - back to sender. Good luck - I hope the FCC will call you when it's time to renew.
@TheDesertRat3119 күн бұрын
@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp if you need a reminder card, then get one. But all you have to do is Google your call sign and add "fcc" and your info page will come up. That info has your granted date, etc...
@BryanTorok19 күн бұрын
That is unless you have call sign plates on your car. Then the BMV wants to see the license. In Ohio, we have to show (or mail in a copy) of the current license every year when we renew our license plates.
@garrettswoodworx187318 күн бұрын
Kinda clickbaity, don't you think? I love the work you do but I see nothing in this video relating to "Staying Ham Radio Legal in 2025". Did I miss something?
@Schlimm196919 күн бұрын
Laser printed a reference copy from the FCC ULS site...covered with clear packing tape. Poor man's lamination.
@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp19 күн бұрын
Some always find a way to brake the bank.
@BryanTorok19 күн бұрын
That is the actual legal way to do it.
@jifchosehismother17 күн бұрын
And saved 4+ minutes watching this video. Sums it up in 4 seconds.
@KH6WI18 күн бұрын
There's no requirement to show your FCC license. The FCC states "You do not have to have the license document in your possession in order to operate an amateur station at a location where communications are regulated by the FCC" on their FAQ page. In a case where you would need to show a license, having the official copy as a PDF from the license manager ULS page would likely be better than a reference copy.
@k6usy16 күн бұрын
Yep, only need it on you to operate in some counties. Or you could just leave the radios at home and enjoy your vacation.
@ocavant18 күн бұрын
Seriously. The 4th amendment is all you need to say to them. This is NOT 1930’s Germany. We do not have to show them our papers! They can either arrest you or leave you the F alone. Playing radio is not a crime and that is that. I will refuse to show an ID at all if I have not committed a crime. Also say nothing. Just smile.
@ik0419 күн бұрын
Explain how this is a legal representative of the official copy of an FCC license. Has the ARRL made an agreement to certify this?
@K6UDA19 күн бұрын
I ask you this, if you operate mobile around town, POTA, SOTA or on vacation, do you carry an official copy? I don’t. That’s what a reference copy is for. But now I have something that will last me for 10 years and not become illegible.
@bb_3719 күн бұрын
It's not a legal representation of your license. It has information that appears on your license, but it's not a copy of your license. And, the ARRL doesn't make amateur radio rules in the US. That's the job of the FCC.
@ik0419 күн бұрын
@@bb_37 True. I ask because it could be fake and nobody would know, since it only an unofficial representation of the owner's license.
@BryanTorok19 күн бұрын
This is about as legal as me printing my own driver's license, car insurance card, or making my own passport. It works only because most people don't know what the real license looks like.
@bobsullivan571417 күн бұрын
@@K6UDA So what? Tell the cop to enter the callsign into his internet browser...... Then go away. KF7ZSA
@roymercer696716 күн бұрын
I placed an order. Neat place with reasonable prices. Thanks so much for sharing!
@K6UDA16 күн бұрын
Awesome! Thank you!
@twoalpha0917 күн бұрын
No police will ask you for a ham license ,however with the "no cell phone while driving law ham radio operators are exempt ,so carry your ham license just in case🏖
@genebodenberger19 күн бұрын
Thanks, Bob. I got a piece of traffic for myself on the Montana traffic net a couple weeks back letting me know that my license was going to expire in a week. Whew. The Montana Traffic Net meets at 0030Z on 3910 every evening. I love having Hams looking out for Hams.
@briankendall197819 күн бұрын
My brother accidentally let his license expire for I think more than a year. He refiled on the FCC web site and the reinstated his license for no charge.
@cw2gtc17 күн бұрын
Bob, when you say what’s on there is “very, very expired”, I presume you don’t mean your license status is legally expired. Only that the date showing on the outdated card shows your previous license expiration date. Good video, thanx!
@geraldscott430218 күн бұрын
Unfortunately the FCC no longer sends out a physical copy of the license. I renewed my license last year, so I have no physical license. It says I am licensed on the FCC website, but I have no physical proof of it. And I don't know any way to get physical proof of it. They don't even give you the option of paying extra for a physical copy of it.
@Valkyrie191117 күн бұрын
I got my Tech and General last fall, I got an email with printable copies of both licenses along with a larger version that I assume was for records or hanging in the shack.
@geraldscott430217 күн бұрын
@@Valkyrie1911 I just ordered the one from Ham Crazy. It is not an official FCC document, but it should suffice if some government person wants to see my license. Renewing my license last year was a nightmare, and I actually had to have help over the phone from the FCC. The ULS and FRN are a disaster.
@M1ke_A19 күн бұрын
I have one of these with my HAM license info on one side and my GMRS license info on the other side.
@timothyhosey41319 күн бұрын
Same
@K6UDA12 күн бұрын
I saw those on the website. Very cool
@caroleemoreno808619 күн бұрын
just keep a pdf copy on your phone
@ArchangelMLM19 күн бұрын
Thank you for the info Bob, love your videos.
@K6UDA19 күн бұрын
@@ArchangelMLM thanks
@David-hm9ic15 күн бұрын
Since there is no requirement to carry a license and the cards that can be ordered are not a legal document, just use an aggressive eraser to buff away the expiration date. You’re welcome.
@TheHeff7619 күн бұрын
Thanks! Just ordered one!!!
@JESUSAVESISRAEL16 күн бұрын
MARANATHA!!!
@radiotory16 күн бұрын
💡 That's really good idea 👍
@K6UDA16 күн бұрын
Thanks 👍
@KN4TUE19 күн бұрын
Thank you!! I have been looking for something like this…
@DK5ONV18 күн бұрын
Happy New Year Bob 💯🙏🍀🛡👌
@stephanhersey118619 күн бұрын
That's well and good but when you print out your official copy from the FCC you get a wallet copy. Steve, k7ofg.
@TwoDollarBill00019 күн бұрын
Thanks again Bob. As soon as I watched your lest video l ordered mine. Good call !
@Gruuvin116 күн бұрын
What's the point of carrying a paper license? This might be the most dork thing I've seen this year!
@user.A918 күн бұрын
Anyone here using a mail forwarding service for their FCC license address?
@kjbathe17 күн бұрын
Who is asking for a license in 2025? The answer for anyone is, "Here's my call sign. Go look it up."
@K6UDA17 күн бұрын
Suppose you show up at a field day in another city and want to operate its a quick way to help verify your a ham.
@rbryanhull19 күн бұрын
I got one made of aluminum from Etsy. It has my ham license on one side, and my GMRS license on the other side.
@floid3355618 күн бұрын
lol- has anyone in the history of ham radio been asked to produce a physical fcc license from the fcc. I think 90% of the hobby is people’s infatuation with the fcc.
@TheDesertRat3119 күн бұрын
You dont need a physical card to stay legal.
@BryanTorok19 күн бұрын
That is unless you have call sign plates on your car. Then the BMV wants to see the license. In Ohio, we have to show (or mail in a copy) of the current license every year when we renew our license plates.
@Lee78444718 күн бұрын
I went to the site and didn’t see it.
@Ranchhand32319 күн бұрын
Happy New Year Bob !!
@pale_211119 күн бұрын
Happy New Years, Bob!!!
@ratchetman19 күн бұрын
Happy New Year!
@bendeleted915517 күн бұрын
Why?
@DonDegidio19 күн бұрын
Hi Bob, I do have both Amateur and GMRS legible copies in my wallet. Heading to Ham Crazy website. Happy New Year to you and your family. 73 WJ3U
@dodo1opps19 күн бұрын
I put in a renewal about 18 months ago and I still haven't gotten it yet
@davidyummus62594 күн бұрын
2025 I wanna see the Exam go away :)
@daveg906819 күн бұрын
Thank you for the Ham Crazy reference. I had never heard of it.
@j.p.thearmoredchef19 күн бұрын
For a similar price, I got an aluminum card off of Etsy.
@Fireguy-19 күн бұрын
Happy New Year Bob
@TwoDollarBill00019 күн бұрын
Thanks Bob
@markviers99819 күн бұрын
Cool site, not sure how I didn't know about that web site, thanks.
@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp19 күн бұрын
Yes, my friends - Happy New Year to all of you. While we are talking about "timing" please do yourself a big favor and check the deadline of your Ham Radio license, and since you are at it - any other licenses or deadlines that expire. The FCC has gone totally DIGITAL. No more "correspondance". Good luck in renewing your licence. Make sure you have a few hours and a friend standing by with his computer. Don't be fooled into thinking you are there once you pass the application. Matching your online payment with your application - is another story. And when you are finally there - good luck changing your address if needed. best 73 N7SBR
@sifilmaker19 күн бұрын
Were we expecting any other year than 2025? did we think we were going to skip a year..lol What's gonna "get sorted out".. Nobody will ever ask your for your ham radio license? Now if they could make the card "ID Compliant" so you can fly with it, and RFID programable so you can open your gun safe.. that would be phenomenal.. funny...
@vicmiller719119 күн бұрын
And Happy New Year to you also Bob. Keep up the good stuff Mister. And 73. de KE8JWE
@someguy78218 күн бұрын
Running out of video topics, are we?
@scottpawlowski641419 күн бұрын
Independence Day is just 20 short days away.
@K6UDA19 күн бұрын
@@scottpawlowski6414 I can’t wait.
@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp19 күн бұрын
Do we need a new FCC license to operate on Independence Day?
@BryanTorok19 күн бұрын
It is nice to encounter some like minded people.
@BryanTorok19 күн бұрын
@@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp No.
@markr.198419 күн бұрын
What's in your wallet?
@WorldMoneyWins19 күн бұрын
No need to carry a copy of your license. Nobody EVER needs to see it. Police don't need to see it, FCC doesn't need to see it (They have it on file). If anyone asked to see it, I would just ignore them, or say "no, its in my gun safe"
@kennethbell468118 күн бұрын
Show this attitude to a park ranger with the authority to toss you out of his park and he’ll probably exercise that authority.
@WorldMoneyWins18 күн бұрын
@kennethbell4681 🤣🤣🤣
@TungstenAmp19 күн бұрын
It’s like a vanity plate for your wallet. 😂
@SteelWolf1319 күн бұрын
:) Woot. Like #15.
@marios262019 күн бұрын
👍🏻
@chrissewell160817 күн бұрын
Just Tattoo your license on your arm! 😖
@amorris197019 күн бұрын
That card is expired
@kuzinkurt18 күн бұрын
Ordered mine yesterday. Thanks for the tip, OM. 73, W9KEC
@ocavant18 күн бұрын
Nerd card…check. Now, put some masking tape in the center of your black frame glasses and put on your big boy floods. Your revenge will be sweet. 😂
@bretaguilar15317 күн бұрын
Haven't watched any of your videos for a couple years. I didn't miss anything. You've still got the shittiest ham radio KZbin channel and there are a lot of bad channels to choose from. You're like the Baofeng of KZbin Ham Radio.
@K6UDA15 күн бұрын
That’s one of the truly funniest comments I’ve seen in a long time. Fuck you too.
@bwolfe255919 күн бұрын
Too funny
@BryanTorok19 күн бұрын
That is a nice looking card, but it about as legal as printing one's driver's license or passport. There was a ham club that had a booth at the Dayton Hamvention that printed an ID card. On the front it had your picture, call sign, a bar that said "Radio Operator" and logos of your club affiliation. They downloaded a copy of the wallet card from the FCC site and printed that on the back. Since that was a reference copy of the license, the same as one would print on paper, I think that was legitimate. My local BMV office accepted it as proof of license to renew my call sign plates. Unfortunately, the primary officers in the club are deceased or in ill health and the club seems to be defunct. I emailed them and offered to buy they equipment to carry on what they were doing and never got a response.
@bobsullivan571417 күн бұрын
I am NOT in the business of educating police officers. It would tickle me pink to be arrested for failing to produce my radio license, assuming all else is in order. I could use the money. KF7ZSA
@K6UDA17 күн бұрын
There is nothing in the FCC code that is criminal. The most they can do is a civil fine. Besides that the cops don’t give a crap.
@jasonmirabile518419 күн бұрын
Happy New Year Sir! Thanks for what you do. 73 kd2lrx
@thesaltyham714419 күн бұрын
I have been thinking of getting one of those also. I like that card! 73 de KF0FDV
@gosman94919 күн бұрын
I laminated my own. WA5KUG here.
@rileymcinnis761419 күн бұрын
I don't understand what you're talking about. Can you cite some FCC requirement for me to carry a copy of my license? KK6XXX
@l.a.264618 күн бұрын
If you're operating your radio : yes ... look it up
@garrettswoodworx187318 күн бұрын
@@l.a.2646 I have looked it up several times and can find nothing anywhere within 47 CFR Part 97 requiring me to have a copy of my license in my possession so perhaps you could point me to the part I'm missing.
@rileymcinnis761417 күн бұрын
@@l.a.2646 Cite please. FCC has not provided me with a copy of my license.