Ofcom again!!!!!!!!!

robmcg

robmcg

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I have definitely just about had enough of Ofcom and what I can only describe as deliberate attempts to make maritime radio licencing more difficult than it should be. After numerous attempts to log on over the past month and a half, today I have managed it - yipee!!!! - or so you would think! Having filled out and completed all the relevant bits and pieces and being told my licence is valid from today do you think I could print a copy out to keep on board? Oh no sir, that would be too easy sir, lets link you to a blank screen sir! Why? I think to force you to spend £20 to apply via the paper route. I am utterly, utterly disgusted by the rubbish service that Ofcom provide. As far as I'm concerned if I have to produce evidence that my vessel is licenced then I will direct that person to the chief executive of Ofcom!!! What a waste of bl***y time and effort!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Well at least you got somewhere, I didn't even get that far, on completeion of registering, all I get is "There has been an error"............5 times!! WTF!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
This morning I logged in to their website, added a second handheld VHF, and printed out a new licence. Everything seemed to work for me, though i must say the website is not terribly user-friendly - you have to look around on every screen to see what you do next.
 
Am I being dense? I have registered to be posted a log-in, which seems daft in itself. I haven't received anything. Am I missing something? Their must be an easier way?
 
I've had no problem with Ofcom. My new licence arrived a few weeks before the old one expired. I've registered on the website, no problem, and after checking my details found that they have also linked to my 'log on' my separate 'T' callsign handheld (which I need because I use it on different 'unlicenced' boats, before anyone queries it) which has a completely different renewal date.
 
I dunno! I registered and did my licence online with only a little trouble almost as soon as the new system was up and running in Dec.

The user name took a little longer to come through the post than I expected, it is true

I discovered that you could not skip any mandatory fields in the application, but you cant complain about that.

The biggest puzzle to me was how to proceed from the last page of the application (p9) (You have to click on "save licence details") once I had solved that then I was able to proceed to printing the licence.

I actually printed two copies and one of which is A5 for conveniece and which fits in a resealable plastic bag to protect it.

I agree though that it is not the most user friendly of sites and I emailed Ofcom to tell them so. You should do the same. It does work though.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I haven't received anything.

[/ QUOTE ] Mine took longer to arrive than I expected and I think they have extended the predicted time since.

The reason for this bit of the procedure is that it is a validation check on your address.
Don't forget your password while you are waiting!
 
When I wanted a radio license I applied to the French authorities. They said that as I fly a British flag it was not their concern. So I applied to the UK. They said that as I was a French resident I should apply to the French authorities. I copied the correspondance to each party and told them I was willing to apply to whichever they wanted and to let me know what they decided. 17 years later I'm still waiting...

John
 
Did mine today after receiving the renawal document on Saturday. The site is far from intuitive, plus it didn't have my house in their postcode database, presumably not their fault. Managed it eventually after several false starts.

I find it difficult to understand why they need to send my information by snail mail, when every other form of internet registration sends it, fully automated, to my e-mail address.
 
you are not signing up for a normal website where an email address is OK. you are signing up for a legal document, so they want to know that the registered postal address is OK. So they send the verification to a postal address to ensure you have received it, not to a hotmail email address
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have definitely just about had enough of Ofcom and what I can only describe as deliberate attempts to make maritime radio licencing more difficult than it should be. After numerous attempts to log on over the past month and a half, today I have managed it - yipee!!!! - or so you would think! Having filled out and completed all the relevant bits and pieces and being told my licence is valid from today do you think I could print a copy out to keep on board? Oh no sir, that would be too easy sir, lets link you to a blank screen sir! Why? I think to force you to spend £20 to apply via the paper route. I am utterly, utterly disgusted by the rubbish service that Ofcom provide. As far as I'm concerned if I have to produce evidence that my vessel is licenced then I will direct that person to the chief executive of Ofcom!!! What a waste of bl***y time and effort!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Because of slow post out to Latvia ... I kept in contact with a person at Ofcom ... I will not release his name here publicly as you can understand - I don't want him deluged with the unwashed e-mailing him !! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

But I mentioned I hadn't rec'd the docs in the mail - I had to cough up £20 as mine ran out before the freebies came in .. anyway that is not the point. He was sorry about the delay and immediately e-mailed me the PDF file to print of my own Licence - as he said - the exact same pdf file they use to print of etc. / record your details ... etc.
The interesting bit is whether I have access to Web-site ... I must ask him what about that .... !!
 
I also got the blank page when trying to print the licence. Eventually found that you have to have Adobe reader version 8 which is downloadable from a link on their page but its very obtuse.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The interesting bit is whether I have access to Web-site ... I must ask him what about that .... !!


[/ QUOTE ] It'll be interesting if you were to register and then log in to the Ofcom site to see if you are there. You will have to register with the address on your current licence but if that is not a UK one then you'll probably come unstuck.

If you have not got one of the new lifetime licences yet then you probably wont be on there but you should be once you get one.
 
[ QUOTE ]
you have to have Adobe reader version 8

[/ QUOTE ] Mine is only version 4 and that worked OK
 
Those nice peope at OFCOM, simply sent me a new lifetime licence on Feb 14th, automatically!

I didn't have to apply or fill in any forms/ website etc!


It just arrived, and its correct!

Another job saved!

Well Done Ofcom!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The interesting bit is whether I have access to Web-site ... I must ask him what about that .... !!


[/ QUOTE ] It'll be interesting if you were to register and then log in to the Ofcom site to see if you are there. You will have to register with the address on your current licence but if that is not a UK one then you'll probably come unstuck.

If you have not got one of the new lifetime licences yet then you probably wont be on there but you should be once you get one.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a new licence ... just no login password thingy as you lot talk about ...

So you say login via address ... well of course I have a UK address ... it's only postal that is shown as non-uk !
 
[ QUOTE ]
I also got the blank page when trying to print the licence. Eventually found that you have to have Adobe reader version 8 which is downloadable from a link on their page but its very obtuse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Adobe Reader is not the problem ... it is backwards / forwards compatible ... it is NOT like MS Word !!
 
[ QUOTE ]
When I wanted a radio license I applied to the French authorities. They said that as I fly a British flag it was not their concern. So I applied to the UK. They said that as I was a French resident I should apply to the French authorities. I copied the correspondance to each party and told them I was willing to apply to whichever they wanted and to let me know what they decided. 17 years later I'm still waiting...

John

[/ QUOTE ]

As I understand the rules of the game, as a French resident you are not entitled to fly a Red Enign on the boat you own and should in fact register it under the French flag. I have heard of British ciotizens who are resident over there being chased and prosecuted by the French authorities for not re-registering a boat they kept in France.
 
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