FCC Amateur Radio Statistics
Prior to Aug 99, the statistics listed in this site were derived from an Alpha
Test FCC data base made available to the public via Internet. Since the FCC
converted to the new Universal Licensing System (ULS) in mid-Aug 99,
the statistics programs have had to be rewritten to address the differences
between the two database structures. As of this date, this work is not
complete and there is no schedule for completion.
Please use this data carefully. Consider the
the following points:
- ULS differences
All statistics developed
after July 99 are from the ULS system. In some cases that data may not be
comparable to earlier figures because of differences in the data
structures. In fact it appears that some of the reports that were
possible under the old system can no longer be generated from the ULS
database, e.g. the VEC statistics, since this information is not
maintained within ULS. Also the transaction process is somewhat
different so any data on monthly 605 transactions may not be
comparable to those for the older 610 form. The transaction recoding
method is different.
- Reporting Date
Under the older 610 data
this site used to report data for the last day of each month. To
do that, the last Sunday of the month's weekly snapshot of the entire
database was taken, and merged with daily transactions for the up to
six days in the given month following this snapshot. Beginning with
the ULS system, all data will be reported only using the last
Sunday's copy of the database. This introduces a minor error in a
given month's statistics, but viewed over a longer period the error
is insignificant. The savings in processing time is significant,
and necessary given an almost doubling of the database size since
conversion to ULS.
- Technician Class
Technician
licenses show almost no monthly expirations. These licenses are less
than 10 years old, the current life of an Amateur License. Beginning
in March 2001 this class of license will begin reporting its first
expirations, as is the case for the other five license classes.
- Grace Period
The data on
active stations is computed using the expiration date. The FCC data
base includes records for licenses that have expired, but are still
within their two year "grace period". Historically FCC statistics
have been published including all 12 years of records, thus showing
more active amateurs than really existed.
This site shows data only for Jun 97 and thereafter.
A delimiter is used in each table to clearly mark the transition between
the older 610 based statistics, and the new ULS 605 derived data.
Monthly snapshots of the entire FCC database are used to produce the
statistics and the information is thought to be "accurate". An effort
is being made to update these records monthly to help report on trends
in the Amateur Radio Service.
Best 73,
Joe Speroni, AH0A
By Joe Speroni Email:
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