Bloody Offcom

[boatmike]

Having not received a new "lifetime" VHF licence, I tried the Offcom website which is about as user friendly as a warthog. After several attempts at logging in and resetting my login details I finally lost the will to live and phoned a human being at their offices who finally told me (in a very broad indian accent) that I was already licenced and what was my problem? I told him that I had not received any new licence in the post so had assumed that my licence had either lapsed or that I had to request one via the website. He then very kindly told me that this was a common problem and many people had not received the new lifetime licence. He then sent me one in the post without any further fuss.
So Guys and Girls, if you don't get yours in the post, don't bother with the website unless you want to lose the will to live. Phone up Offcom!
Question: I used to have a licence sticker to put in the window. He hasn't sent me one of those. I assume they are now obsolete and you don't need one?

 

[MoodySabre]

Those of us with more perseverance and who did download their lifetime licence didn't get anything other than a few sheets of paper. No licence disc required AFAIK.

 

[boatmike]

Thanks. That's what I thought. It does seem that there should be no need to persevere with their horrible website though. The first page of the website says that anyone previously holding a licence should have received a replacement automatically in the post..... I certainly didn't.

 

[VicS]

Correct. the licence disc has been discontinued. See the last item in This summary of the changes.

BTW it should be possible to register, then log on and download and print a copy of your life time licence from the website but it is easier to phone them when things have not worked out as they should have.
It is still worth registering so that you can make any changes to your radio equipment on line and down load the revised licence for free. Otherwise an admin fee will be charged for changes and issuing a new licence (changes of address excepted)

 

[Gerry]

Nope, we didn't get one either. But I have given up with the whole lot of them, I was losing the will to live too!
What a compete cock-up, bet it cost an absolute fortune to implement.

www.gerryantics.blogspot.com

 

[rickp]

[ QUOTE ]
What a compete cock-up, bet it cost an absolute fortune to implement.

[/ QUOTE ]

I suspect quite the reverse - which probably explains why the website is a complete travesty in usability...

Rick

 

[Moonshining]

Since they've gone from a paid for licence to a free one, then I can't imagine they're going to spend an arm and a leg on the website.

The corollary of this is, of course, that they're probably not going to exactly spend a massive amount of time checking whether you've got one or not.

 

[Gerry]

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I have yet to see a government agency NOT spend money on any implementation!
Call me cynical but....

www.gerryantics.blogspot .com

 

[damo]

I didn't get mine, phoned up, the paperwork arrived in the post next day. Bl**dy good service (apart from the original cock-up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

 

[boatmike]

That's why I posted. If you look at the website it says the only alternative to doing it on there is to download a form and pay £20 to do it by post. It isn't. You should have received one automatically. If you didn't you can phone rather than give up like Gerry. The only time I have ever been asked for a licence is in France when boarded by Customs but I bet there is still a stiff penalty for using a set without a licence...

 

[Blue5]

Very easy to overlook as its not an adhesive disc but it does still need to be kept on the boat, at least with the disc I could remember where I had put it.

 

[Ruffles]

Have you tried getting the old license holder of your window?

Turps and 2 hours effort worked for me. Have fun!