Its final - amateur service license fees are coming...

Be careful. I once defined this term for someone who asked on these forums, and my post was deleted. I should stress that I was not actually using the phrase.

I wish there weren't a fee, but I will pay it.

 

So the rationale is that seeing as we get screwed over by high taxes, then we shouldn't mind paying more? I guess we get the government that we deserve.

 

I think we should buckle our chin straps - the government we 'deserve' is likely going to be coming up with more creative ways to fail at paying down the increasing interest on the national debt - nevermind the debt itself. I'm just hoping that this will not become a trend in amateur radio to try and squeeze more water from our rock for various and sundry fees and 'services.'

 

I wasn't sure what the term meant ... I had to look it up, a testimony to its importance.

 

$35 is not much compared to other countries/services but what does the FCC do besides process a little bit of paperwork and it is mostly computer automated.

bottom line is, I'll pay it but I'm not happy about it.

 

yeah it became big about a year ago. seems to be a rebellious teen's response to his grandma/grandpa


Edit: I'm just out of teenhood so I know a bit about that sort of thing(gasp)

 

I pay for LMR service, but I get a frequency that I can kick people off of (never had to do it).

I pay for GMRS. I don't get my own frequency, but I do get a crazy-long callsign.

I will pay for amateur radio. I get frequencies to use from near DC to near daylight. I guess its worth it--plus it will be very far from my biggest amateur radio expense, even if I live to be 300 years old.

 

I love this hobby, and am happy to pay $35 for the privilege of being a Ham Radio Operator! And for my friends who enjoy a good drink, yeah, it is only half the price of a decent bottle. BTW, it is only a little more than a Boefeng.

 

In my country, the license is free, you only pay to a radio club an exam fee/renewal fee, about 20 USD every 5 years if you're not affiliated. It's some sort of collaboration to the club. Every club is free to set their fee policy and amount.

Fees should not exist in a country where everyone pays taxes for everything... sales taxes, income taxes, property taxes, federal taxes, and so on.

 

go away if you want to argue .
go play with your He- Men toys
see what you Pay in Vietnam-
Cambodia ...( if they will issue a license)
K8PG

 

I wouldn't mind it so much if it were just for new licenses and renewals. $35 per decade is certainly not a problem.
My issue is that it also charges for vanity applications and license upgrades. I've been trying to get a 4-digit call sign, as a "reward to myself" since passing the Extra exam in last month. They are infuriatingly hard to get. I've tried for 8 of them so far, with NO LUCK. Under the upcoming fee structure, I'd currently be out $315 bucks, and STILL not have my 4-digit vanity call (8 vanity apps, + the Extra upgrade)..

 

I wonder if this will cleanup 75m. lol.

 

Even kids pay 6-7% sales tax every time they go buy candies. Our sales tax is 21% .... sadly.

 

I agree Joe!