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

$35 is fine for an UPGRADE. I would have liked to see a low ($10) or zero cost INITIAL Tech license. For young people getting a tech license, volunteers SAR peoples, etc., that's reasonable and keeps the barriers to entry low, in this already expensive hobby (albeit one which provides useful public service). Of course, the ARRL screwed up on this one by wanting free licenses to continue. That was obviously not going to happen.

 

Take a look in your pocket. That's where the "state" gets the money to give you a gift.

 

Doesn't surprise me... specially if the FCC officials ever took a look at any of the Ham Radio catalogs and see the prices we're paying for our equipment! Yea, 30 bucks isn't bad. But free is better.

 

I suppose the situation isn’t much better in the USA, but you still have to pay fees...

 

[QUOTE="W9KEY,
So I for one am looking forward to the opportunity to bitch about it when my renewal is due ... .[/QUOTE]

Thanks to W9KEY ... really positive sentiments.

I have been K4KKQ, CW only, for 62 years.
Still , Just an old ham
who tunes the bands with his old radio
... listening in the night sky.
...
I look forward to a "ten year goal"
... planning a party with my geeky geezer ham pals,
... hoping there's any around to celebrate with me !
===================================

 

How about something 5 IPA

 

Thanks to K9GLS for remembering his up-bringings.

For me, it was 1958, $5. as I can recall,
and I had to take the bus to downtown Norfolk, VA,
and sit for a 1 hour test,
in the middle of 50 Navy Sailors !
Wonder what $5. is today ? $250.
Hey, I have no complaints about the amount,
only that I might not be around for the next renewal date !
But, I am hoping,
and plan a big party
for any of my friends who are still with me !
.,..
Tonight, again, plan to tune the bands, listening to the music.
...
And always, I remember my old friends.
I recall who we were, and where we were,
and we talk again
... for a while in my mind
... til the dawn comes.
Sometimes the sweet nostalgia
overcomes all the angst of growing older.
...
Yep, I agree, $35 is a bargain !
----------------------------------------------

 

You have a point there because your country's income tax rate is only 9% while ours averages around 21% But you make up for it with a 21%VAT, which is similar to our sales tax (average 7%), and your employee contributions for health care, social security, and unemployment on salaries and wages is 24% plus another 15% in many municipalities, while ours is under 8%. In addition, we pay property taxes averaging 3%. So, for every $1,000 you earn and spend, you pay at least 69% or $690 in taxes. We pay around 39% or $390. Your licenses are not exactly "free".

Here's Deloitte's report on the Montenegro tax structure.
https://www2.deloitte.com/content/d...ts/Tax/dttl-tax-montenegrohighlights-2020.pdf

 

Or one Baofeng with shipping! Hi Hi

 

Face the facts it's $35 if you don't do anything but renew that's $35 every 10 years
Can't buy a good dinner or a pair of jeans for that any more.

There are many more pressing issues.
So
End of thread

 

It's about an ounce of the stuff I drink. HI

 

So I'll take my $50 A double R L fee and use that for any FCC fee I might run into. I'll still be up $15. YAY! (Typed in my special sarcasm font that might not be installed on your device making it almost impossible to recognize).

 

People whining about a $35 license fee from the FCC....but happily throw $50 a year away on a worthless ARRL membership. The stupidity is astounding.

 

What are you drinking, Glenmorgane Single Malt is half that.

 

Thats fine they need to change one thing though. 35 for your first vanity call 1,000.00 for any one after that you guys know who you are that would stop a lot of that