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By Rob Rosenberger (K4HST)

The FCC’s two-year grace period is a safety net if we forget to put a reminder in our calendar app. One operator relied on it when he applied for a renewal in April, five months before the end of his grace period. But it requires more than just signing in. He needed to confirm the payment actually occurred.

This brings us to the sad tale of KE6MIT.

He attempted to renew it twice. His first application on April 9 placed his call sign in a temporary status that shielded him from losing it. His application was dismissed 19 days later, probably over a failure to pay. He did not petition the dismissal; the period for reconsideration closed; and his call sign returned to its normal grace period on June 9.

Did he not get the FCC emails? Did they go into his junk folder?

A second application on July 23 again placed his call sign in a temporary status, and the FCC again waited 19 days. Detailed records suggest the ULS checked the CORES database each workday to see if he paid $35. August 11 arrived and the FCC again dismissed his application.

KE6MIT reached the end of its grace period on September 14 — yet the window stayed open to petition the second dismissal for reconsideration… had he done so… which he didn’t.

That window shut on September 22 when the FCC closed the period for reconsideration and the ULS set KE6MIT to “expired.”

KE6MIT’s circumstances led me to analyze the ULS data to learn how many call signs expire for lack of payment. Over the last two years, roughly 20% failed to apply for renewal, while another 5% failed to pay their fee after applying:

Roughly 1 out of 16 operators who apply for renewal fail to pay for it. Did they not get the FCC emails? Did they go into a junk folder?

(The chart can only go back 24 months because the FCC apparently flushes payment data to control database bloat.)

All operators should consider doing four things: (1) put a note in your calendar app to update your email address before you pay a renewal fee; (2) update your FRN with a valid email address if needed; (3) submit a payment application; and (4) make sure the payment goes through.

Don’t learn this lesson the hard way. Your grace period offers zero protection if you fail to pay.

Source: Rob Rosenberger (K4HST)

​ Amateur Radio Daily

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The following is a message from the Radio Club of America (RCA):

Join the Radio Club of America at the 2026 Banquet & Technical Symposium—where the brightest minds in wireless communications come together to share ideas, celebrate achievement, and build lasting connections.

Experience thought-provoking technical presentations, engage with industry leaders, explore emerging technologies, and conclude with RCA’s signature awards banquet honoring distinguished innovators.

The Radio Club of America Awards Program is an industry premier event. Every year, it is preceded by the day-long Technical Symposium. Both events showcase expertise and achievement in every segment of wireless.

The 2026 Technical Symposium & 117th Awards Banquet will take place Saturday, November 21st in New York City.

Registration is now open.

Source: Radio Club of America

​ Amateur Radio Daily

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The following is from an email received from SAQ Grimeton Radio Station:

UN-Day 2026 transmission
On October 24th 2026, SAQ is scheduled to air a message to the World, promoting Peace, Unity, and Global Partnerships.

The unique Alexanderson alternator is scheduled for one transmission over the antenna on VLF 17.2 kHz CW.

The Grimeton Radio Station welcomes all visitors to attend the transmission.
To attend one of the transmissions in the transmitter hall, a ticket will be required.
Please see grimeton.org for complete visitor’s information.

SAQ transmission schedule

• 14:20 CEST (12:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins.
• 14:30 CEST (12:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator.
• 14:45 CEST (12:45 UTC) SAQ on the air “VVV VVV VVV de SAQ SAQ SAQ”
• 15:00 CEST (13:00 UTC) Transmission of peace message

Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
The transmission event can be seen live on our YouTube Channel.

E-QSL online QSL form

In 1924 the construction of Grimeton Radio Station in Sweden was completed and the two transmitters, invented by Ernst F.W. Alexanderson was put into commercial operation. The radio station call sign was SAQ.

SAQ is the only remaining pre-electronic radio transmitter that has been preserved and is still functional, event though only one of the original two transmitters remain.

Test Transmissions
There may be some test transmissions, preliminary on October 23rd between 13:00 – 16:00 CEST. During the tests, SAQ will be on air shorter periods of time, when we will be carrying out some tests and measurements.

Amateur Radio Station SK6SAQ
The Amateur Radio Station with the call “SK6SAQ” will be QRV during the day on the following frequencies:
– 3.517.2 kHz CW
– 7.017.2 kHz CW
– 14 017.2 KHz CW
– 3.755 kHz SSB
– 7.140 kHz SSB

Source: The Alexander association

​ Amateur Radio Daily

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Amateur Radio Daily (and Amateur Radio Weekly) will attend Zero Retries Digital Conference (ZRDC) and Pacificon October 16th through October 18th. My name is Cale (K4HCK) and I produce both publications. I’ll be speaking at ZRDC about New Tech Hams, an emerging group of hams that are highly focused on digital communication and the software that powers it. Thanks to ZRDC for the invitation! I think this talk will be a lot of fun.

Tickets are still available for ZRDC both for in-person and Zoom based attendees. ZRDC focuses on technical innovation in amateur radio. The speaker line-up includes representatives from FreeDV, DigiPi, M17, and more. Learn more about ZRDC.

I will also be attending Pacificon and will share a booth with Zero Retries. Stop by booth 33 and say hello! I look forward to meeting you and hearing your feedback. Tickets for Pacificon are also still available.

73 and thanks for reading!

Source: Amateur Radio Daily

​ Amateur Radio Daily