The way I interpreted the NPRM, a new ham would incur a fee of $50 for each license and upgrade. As a VE, some of our folks come to testing with limited means, but having studied for 2 exams (most common). Often they do the Tech and General, but we have had several occasions where the examinee has taken and passed all 3 elements, and goes from 0 to Extra that same day. Under the new rule, if adopted, it appears that the same 3 exams would cost him/her $165 ($15 of which is ARRL VEC fee). I think this is absolutely ridiculous, and will definitely deter younger candidates from becoming licensed. From what I can see, there doesn't appear to be any other way to interpret this NPRM. $50 every 10 years to renew is one thing, but $65 per element sounds unworkable to me. 73, Mark KD8EDC
No, that is not how it would work. The exams are not licenses. No matter how many tests you take at a single setting, there is only one fee for the granted license. IOW, if you go to a test session, and walk out with an extra, there would only be a $50 fee from the FCC. You were never licensed as a tech or general, only as an extra. The FCC only sees a single license grant that would generate fees. Now if you took the three tests on three consecutive days, you would be correct. Because then the applicant would actually step through the licenses one by one.
Probably true. And most people do it that way: Tech, then General, then later Amateur Extra. In that case, we're talking 3 x $65 (adding in the VEC fee), or a total of $195 to get to Extra. For a hobby that is interested in recruiting young, vibrant minds, this seems to me to be unconscionable. It's just too much, especially jumping from a maximum of $45 to $195. YMMV Mark KD8EDC
I am a newly licensed, young vibrant mind like you describe. Had this change to regulation been proposed while I was still in the process of purchasing study materials, it would have given me pause, for sure.
What is wrong with facts? At least as a Trumptard you did not say libtard... When did facts become a problem?
I feel the fee for an amateur license should be high enough to support the fcc enforcement to start doing there job again and enforcing the rules and rgulations. I'm willing to pay at least $ 100.00 dollar for the renewal of a license to get the fcc back on the air to do there job like they should be doing and police the ham bands. Vincent wb2pdw 73
I don't understand the police statists clamoring for FCC to increase ham radio law enforcement by effectively any means necessary. It's as if there's a constant & total hellscape across all bands, that magically all my antennas & those of SDRs & EchoLink nodes I use, are deaf to. Do you think FCC with the proposed license fees, will have a fleet of drones at its command to strike at the most prevalent offenders, shortwave broadcasters & pirates abroad?
im ok with any fee as soon as we stop spending billions building highways and bridges and border walls in afganistan. just sayin..
Just can't resist - can you.... And, I bet you openly discuss politics OTA too.... What band did you grow up in? I can only guess... WQ4G
