FCC proposes new filing fee structure, new fees for ham radio

I aint got 50 bucks.

 

If you have it. Some of us are stuck in a chair. In my lifetime, I've been fee'd out of every thing I ever enjoyed.

 

$50 for 10 years isn't a bad deal. Would you have a different opinion if it was $25 for a 5-year license? I pay something like $70 for a 10-yr DL now.

As stated elsewhere, this really does provide some clear-cut evidence on wantedness (usage) by operators. With the ongoing additional requests for commercial frequencies this could help determine in a much more factual manner whether this hobby is alive or not and provide guidance on reallocation.

g

 

ARRL is like most Unions and they collect dues and sell out the members . They
supported no code now support no code on HF did nothing to assist hams who
are told no antenna s from HOAs but are very good at all the rest you DECIDE

 

You know, for many of us older folks bitching and moaning about $50 every ten years being a hardship while on a "fixed income", think about it this way: You may be old enough that you'll probably only ever have to renew one time in your life.

So, the $50 is really a "lifetime" license fee ! Does that sound better than $50 every ten years ?

 

Just think of this as a Ham Radio Tax. The FCC must have some sort of cut going on and this is a part of how they balance the budget.

 

Not so much a tax as a fee-for-service. Or a toll, such as when you cross a bridge, go through a tunnel, etc.

 

During the 1960’s early 70’s wasn’t there a $4 - $8 filing fee?

 

My thoughts exactly! My license is up for renewal in 2024. One renewal later and I'm into serious geezer territory! Probably still good for one more after that? $50 is not an unreasonable amount to pay for a ten year license. I pay more than that for: QRZ, ARRL & Radio Club of Tacoma memberships, and those are shorter terms than my ham license.

Do I like the idea of fees for ham radio licensing? No, but it is probably something that was inevitable.

 

From March 1964 until March 1977 there were fees for US amateur licenses. The fee varied with time and the service provided (renewal, modification, special call, etc.) Novice was free, however.

 

Ajit Pai is a name to remember as the WORST FCC Chairman. And there would be more to be written in the history books. What a legacy.

 

Maybe I should Cancel my $50 ARRL membership dues since the
ARRL seems so unresponsive these days, take PRB1 with HOA’s
was a joke
73
Mike

 

At least this topic gives the inexperienced Zed poster a reason to jump into the fray. As to the content of the post...you are the judge.

 

Amateur Radio is the backbone of emergency communications in times of disaster conditions. When cell phones go down due to power loss and generators running out of fuel, Amateur Radio comes to the rescue. Also $50 will be a major barrier for youth to enter the hobby. The pool of Amateur Radio Operators will decline sharply. This another group of politicians trying to regulate something they knows nothing about or it is a move to kill Amateur Radio so the frequencies will be available for commercial use. It is not enough Amateur Radio Operators invest hundreds to thousands of dollars in their stations, now some politicians think we should pay a license fee for the privilege of offering our stations for free when the government run communications fail. In my 45 years as an Amateur Radio Operator I have provided life saving communications on several occasions. Everything from a sail boat under attack by pirates to passing emergency traffic that saved lives. Many of the phone patches and relays were for U.S. Embassy locations in South and Central America. Now when I am 69 years old and on a fixed income they want me to start paying $50 to renew my license. Want to save money then issue free lifetime licenses like many other countries.

 

One of the selling points the ARRL has used to justify their membership dues is their advocacy and “spectrum defense” for amateur radio. Their failure to even recognize the threat posed by the RAY BAUMS act to the amateur service is telling. Putting a $50 fee on new licenses will kill any kind of youth licensing outreach. This could wind up being a way to back door enough attrition in amateur radio to justify selling off our spectrum.