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Author Topic: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.  (Read 2529 times)

K3UIM

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #45 on: February 28, 2021, 09:44:24 AM »

I'd tell you what to call him, but mother would haunt me for it. LOL

Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

KBKZ2105

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #46 on: February 28, 2021, 11:41:48 AM »

I'd tell you what to call him, but mother would haunt me for it. LOL

Charlie

I'm pretty sure mother is already haunting you.  From what you have already said.  Believe me you have said a mouthful.  Let's review shall we.. 
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K6CPO

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #47 on: February 28, 2021, 12:04:49 PM »

What does the cost of used gear have to do with the new licensing application fee?
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KBKZ2105

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #48 on: February 28, 2021, 01:01:24 PM »

What does the cost of used gear have to do with the new licensing application fee?

Nothing. 
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KM1H

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #49 on: February 28, 2021, 06:40:33 PM »

He is a total loose cannon who should be banned if enough complain. I already apologized to NN2X as I misread the post....human error.

FM 2105

Quote
Yea well when someone tries to distort someone's reputation by making things up, and the mods don't do anything about it, then the person who has been distorted has no recourse except put the true facts out there.

As you do regularly. Facts appear to mean nothing to you as you deliberately have ruined a good part of Eham just by posting anything you want.

I have a very strong suspicion you are Gary Davis, ex-K1LEM/W1IT/others. Look him up on Google which includes FCC actions and loss of license.
If Im wrong PROVE IT.
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N2EY

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #50 on: March 01, 2021, 11:36:10 AM »

Why anyone would buy old used gear in this hobby is crazy.  Unless they just had to have it.  It's a communication device. Get something you can count on.  Like your adult pacifier.   

Sorry, but that's just nonsense. Here's why:

1) If someone only buys new gear, they're limited to what is currently available. If what they want/need isn't currently available, they're out of luck.

2) Used gear can be a great way to save big money. Usually, one pays top dollar for new gear.

3) Just because something is new doesn't mean it's reliable. All too often, a new product has problems that only become apparent after a time.

4) Just because something is used doesn't mean it has problems, or will have problems. There are plenty of older rigs out there doing a great job after decades of service.

5) Many of us know how to deal with rig problems and how to avoid and fix them.

6) If everyone only bought new gear, used gear would have no value and Amateur Radio would be a MUCH more expensive activity for most people. (A few of us would actually be better off because we'd dumpster-dive the used gear and have great stations for very little money.)

Of course, there are SOME folks who try to peddle used, damaged old radio stuff ("It only needs a tube", "Don't know if it works" "It worked the last time it was turned on" (which was decades ago), "The rust is only surface rust, it just needs some welding") at ridiculously high prices, cash only, no warranty, pick-up only, and then wonder why they have no buyers even after years of trying to sell something.

None of that is a reason to avoid used gear.

So, tell us: what is YOUR station like? What gear do YOU use?

« Last Edit: March 01, 2021, 11:40:47 AM by N2EY »
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K3UIM

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #51 on: March 01, 2021, 11:51:10 AM »

EY: And consider the fixed income ham/wannabe that couldn't begin to afford a new piece of gear. Having retired has shown me that one must begin cutting corners with used equipment, start building kits, or checking out Ebay for bargains. (Collins gear is definitely out of the question.) LOL

Besides, if tinkering is your forte, now's the time to look into the boat-anchors for a winter project that could even stretch into next winter. Time? Got plenty! LOL

Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

KF5LJW

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #52 on: March 01, 2021, 11:54:49 AM »

He is a total loose cannon who should be banned if enough complain.
Lots of complaints about you too, but some how you are still here. He has an opinion to and should be shared like yours.

Anyway nothing wrong with used gear. Lots of good stuff out there and some make a bit of money. Shop the obituaries, many widows and survivors will pay to have it out of their homes or sell cheap. Quick way to find something good or make few bucks. Put it up on QTH or QRZ, some ham will  pay more than its worth.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2021, 12:08:23 PM by KF5LJW »
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N2EY

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #53 on: March 01, 2021, 12:04:52 PM »

N2EY: And consider the fixed income ham/wannabe that couldn't begin to afford a new piece of gear. Having retired has shown me that one must begin cutting corners with used equipment, start building kits, or checking out Ebay for bargains. (Collins gear is definitely out of the question.) LOL

Besides, if tinkering is your forte, now's the time to look into the boat-anchors for a winter project that could even stretch into next winter. Time? Got plenty! LOL


Good points all, Charlie!

I don't buy the "fixed income" line, but that's another discussion. The point is valid that all sorts of hams simply don't have wads of cash to spend on new gear, and for them used gear can do the job just fine.

There are hams with good jobs and incomes who also have serious financial obligations: mortgages, car payments, student loans, children, saving for college, retirement, etc. Also simply saving up for hard times, which inevitably come.

There is also what I call "the empowerment factor". Owning ham gear that one can keep working indefinitely is something some of us value enormously.

And of course there's what you get for your money. A nice clean FT-1000MP with the keyclick mod and some filters can be had in the $1000 range, give or take. It may be a 25 year old rig, it doesn't have a bandscope or 6 meters, but it was top-of-the-line in its day and a decent one is still a fantastic performer.

73 de Jim, N2EY
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N2EY

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #54 on: March 01, 2021, 12:10:10 PM »

There is, however, one very very good reason to buy new gear:

Every piece of used amateur gear you see for sale was once new. Once upon a time, somebody paid serious money for it. Maybe they got a great deal, maybe they wuz robbed, doesn't matter.

What matters is that, because they bought it new, we get to enjoy it used, today.

If everyone stopped buying new gear, pretty soon there wouldn't be any new gear made any more.

 
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KF5LJW

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #55 on: March 01, 2021, 12:19:58 PM »


Besides, if tinkering is your forte, now's the time to look into the boat-anchors for a winter project that could even stretch into next winter. Time? Got plenty! LOL

Well that is what the hobby use to be about and still is if you know where to look. Older hams like yourself like the tubes and mechanical stuff. I get it. Today most new hams and even non hams into radio want to work with code and SDR's, and how to hack it all together to do something completely different. The younger hams and non hams get it.

So Charlie enjoy tinkering. Try getting out of the house once in a while, take a trip somewhere and enjoy life.   
« Last Edit: March 01, 2021, 12:22:58 PM by KF5LJW »
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K6CPO

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #56 on: March 01, 2021, 12:33:11 PM »

What does the cost of used gear have to do with the new licensing application fee?

Nothing.

Exactly my point.  This thread has strayed so far from the original point, it should really be closed.
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N2EY

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #57 on: March 01, 2021, 01:44:10 PM »

What does the cost of used gear have to do with the new licensing application fee?

Nothing.

Exactly my point.  This thread has strayed so far from the original point, it should really be closed.

I disagree somewhat.

One of the barriers to newcomers is how much it costs to get started. Note that back in the 1960s-70s when FCC charged fees before, the Novice was free.

Granted, $35 isn't a lot of money for most of us. But for a family with a couple of kids who thinks that maybe the whole family should get amateur radio licenses, it adds up - particularly when you add VE fees on top of the $35. And when they see bad advice such as "only buy brand new gear", the cost may become a show stopper.

No, the cost of a license didn't stop me way back in the 1960s/70s, even though, when adjusted for inflation, the fees were much more than $35. But that's no reason to say "money is not an issue".

I suspect that some folks don't want newcomers....

« Last Edit: March 01, 2021, 01:47:10 PM by N2EY »
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K3UIM

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #58 on: March 01, 2021, 02:39:31 PM »


Besides, if tinkering is your forte, now's the time to look into the boat-anchors for a winter project that could even stretch into next winter. Time? Got plenty! LOL

So Charlie enjoy tinkering. Try getting out of the house once in a while, take a trip somewhere and enjoy life.
I don't actually want to get back into the Boat-anchors again, but am having a ball getting confused with the IC's and such in today's hi tech. I haven't checked grid bias in 50 years and am happy in my present state. LOL

As far as "getting out of the house" goes: Do I have to?? In the 25 years that I vacated hamming we visited 41 countries. We are firmly re-planted in home soil.

Charlie

As a "PS": By "fixed Income" I meant I have a whopping 124.95 pension a month, rapidly dwindling investments and my SS. At our ages it doesn't go too far. (But it's still adequate.) LOL
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

G3ZHI

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Re: New Licensing fee. What I plan to do about it.
« Reply #59 on: March 03, 2021, 08:10:20 AM »

in the uk the ham licence is now free
it used to cost £15 per year
it was decided it cost too much to collect the free
for years the ham licence in the usa was free
now fcc have decided to charge $35
maybe it will go back to being free again
governments change government policies change

73 ian g3zhi

whatsapp    +447575658368

www.qsl.net/g3zhi
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