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Author Topic: FCC proposes $50 fee for new ham radio licenses upgrades and vanity application  (Read 743 times)

K6CPO

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To me, $50 seems high, even for 10 years. As we all get to fixed incomes, that fee is no longer just something to pay, but something to really think about!

It also would seem to inhibit people to try ham radio to see if they like it. $50 plus the testing fee is getting to the point where it would not be just something to try out especially when figuring in the cost of equipment.

I am a VE, so I am wandering how that would work. We currently only accept cash for the testing. What do we have to do to accept the $50 when they pass a test -- having that much cash is bothersome and accepting other forms of payment is also bothersome and would have to possibly be bonded where that much money -- say for 20 participants to be handled. The VEs are the interface for the FCC, and it would make sense that the VEs would handle the funds when a test is passed -- otherwise how do you handle passing a test without doing the extra money that the FCC would require for the license. The VEC would have to become a money transfer point.

So, I am against that high a fee. Having the same fee for amateur licenses and commercial licenses seems out of touch. Amateurs do not profit from having a license while commercial holders do. Using the same price structure is not right.

I'm a VE team leader and if this comes to pass, I'd rather see it handled like the Basic Qualification Question on the 605 is handled.  Once the exam is passed and the paperwork is forwarded to the FCC it's up to the applicant to forward the fees to the FCC.  Until the fees are received, no license or upgrade would be granted.  I don't want to be handling that amount of cash.
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K6CPO

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Reminds me when I was shooting trap and skeet.  The guy that showed up with his $25,000 gold inlaid
shotgun, and got upset when he had to pay $30.00 to shoot 100 targets in a major meet.  (Understand the price has gone up).  Most of us, trying to have a decent station will spend at least 20 to 25K, and that isn't a "big" station, so spending $150 to get an extra class license, $50.00 for vanity license, (I know I got mine for free, I apologize) or 10 yr renewal seems rather "cheap and petty" if you're complaining.

It's the same with the hams that spend upwards of $600 for a new radio and then try to program it with CHIRP or other free software.
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W4KYR

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There seems to be some conflicting information here. The article above says it's for upgrades and vanity applications however the QRZ comments say it's also for renewal applications. So what is it?



On the positive side:

This could weed out the inactive hams who really have no interest in ham radio after all and they'll just let their license lapse.

By putting a $ 50 price tag on the ham license, perhaps it might compel hams to get on the air more (or to get on the air for the first time in months or years in order to justify the expense of the paying $50).


On the negative side:

While weeding out the inactive hams might be a good idea, it could ultimately lessen the amount of hams and it might even hurt us in the long run because it will have essentially lessened our ranks. And thus making it harder to justify to the FCC (or whoever) to preserve the ham bands and save it from commercial interests.

While $50 might seem relatively inexpensive (compared to the price of what our radios cost), it could hurt those on limited fixed incomes like the elderly.

The fee will be a barrier and less people would be interested in getting into the hobby.

It is doubtful that some of the money would go toward enforcement of the ham bands.


 
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G8FXC

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If this is simply for the administration of issuing a new licence, then it seems high to me too. I would assume that the system is fully computerised, so the task of issuing is a simple case of data entry. Licence issue in England is free provided you are prepared to do it paperless via the OFCOM web site - there is a small handling charge if you want paper.

I do get the impression that the FCC is more active in the policing of Amateur Radio than OFCOM is here. One really has to be misbehaving seriously before OFCOM takes any notice round here.

Martin (G8FXC)
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W9FIB

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$5 a year...C'mon man. If your license isn't worth that to you then you probably should find something different.

Remember, if they collect no fees, we still pay them in taxes. I prefer to pay for my own, not everyone's.
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73, Stan
Travelling the world one signal at a time.

K3NRX

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My drivers license cost me $23 every two years in New Mexico. $50 for a ham license for ten years.....big deal. Grow up. The FCC is not a charity.

That's not the point!...the point is when are we going to start saying NO to these UN-ELECTED BUREAUCRATS!!!!...

Dr FAUXI says "ya betta close your business, otherwise PEOPLE WILL DIE!!!!!"  met with a whimpery OKAY DR WONDERFUL....xoxoxoxoxo

"Ya Better walk around wearing a mask, looking like a DOOFUS, otherwise PEOPLE WILL DIE!!!!!...met with a whimpery OK!!!!!....xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The FCC says "your gonna pay $50.00 to us if you want your license"....Met with a whimpery OK UNCLE CHARLIE...xoxoxoxoxo....

THIS IS BS....you grow up and stop being a member of the Sheeple Crowd.....

V
K3NRX

P.S. What are our wonderful representative at the ARRL going to do to stop this???....my guess is this....NOTHING.....

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K3NRX

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It'll keep the CB'ers off the bands. Besides, maybe the fee will help police the bands.

ahahahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....you are funny...

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W9IQ

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That's not the point!...the point is when are we going to start saying NO to these UN-ELECTED BUREAUCRATS!!!!...

Actually, it is your elected bureaucrats that have mandated this. Congress passed a bill requiring the FCC to do a cost based analysis to set their fee schedule. The FCC is simply meeting their legal obligation by doing so.

- Glenn W9IQ
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- Glenn W9IQ

God runs electromagnetics on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by the wave theory and the devil runs it on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday by the Quantum theory.

KM1H

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Quote
While weeding out the inactive hams might be a good idea, it could ultimately lessen the amount of hams and it might even hurt us in the long run because it will have essentially lessened our ranks. And thus making it harder to justify to the FCC (or whoever) to preserve the ham bands and save it from commercial interests.

Some also believe in the tooth fairy. The FCC is well aware of that part of the issue but actual monitored activity plays a bigger part while taking notice of the sunspots.


Quote
While $50 might seem relatively inexpensive (compared to the price of what our radios cost), it could hurt those on limited fixed incomes like the elderly.

Quit playing that card as it is long burnt to ashes.  The Geezers still need to pay for equipment and electricity and often booze and butts. BTW Im a few months from 80.

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The fee will be a barrier and less people would be interested in getting into the hobby.

Good, we dont need more cheapskates and welfare cases.

Quote
It is doubtful that some of the money would go toward enforcement of the ham bands.

Another WAG from where the sun dont shine.
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KM1H

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Quote
Actually, it is your elected bureaucrats that have mandated this.

But it appears the terminally clueless still are compelled to post crap.
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KG4RUL

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Reminds me when I was shooting trap and skeet.  The guy that showed up with his $25,000 gold inlaid
shotgun, and got upset when he had to pay $30.00 to shoot 100 targets in a major meet.  (Understand the price has gone up).  Most of us, trying to have a decent station will spend at least 20 to 25K, and that isn't a "big" station, so spending $150 to get an extra class license, $50.00 for vanity license, (I know I got mine for free, I apologize) or 10 yr renewal seems rather "cheap and petty" if you're complaining.

It's the same with the hams that spend upwards of $600 for a new radio and then try to program it with CHIRP or other free software.

And just what is wrong with using CHIRP????????
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K3NRX

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Alrighty then. Since a lot of you seem to not have a problem with this owner is taxation without representation. How about this argument. For a hobby that’s allegedly dying a slow and painful death according to some of you, don’t you think this is a little bit of a deterrent to get people interested? Just say’n....

V
K3NRX
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KILGORE34

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I will gladly pay the fees for the license and hope to have one soon.  From what I see It's the radios and all the other stuff that is costly. 
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K3NRX

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Alrighty then. Since a lot of you seem to not have a problem with this onerous taxation without representation. How about this argument. For a hobby that’s allegedly dying a slow and painful death according to some of you, don’t you think this is a little bit of a deterrent to get people interested? Just say’n....

V
K3NRX
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KILGORE34

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No I think it's good.  I'm willing to pay the price and take the tests so on. 
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