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Author Topic: $35 license fee and new ham influx  (Read 821 times)

WB0CJB

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$35 license fee and new ham influx
« on: November 12, 2022, 05:35:15 PM »

Our club's VE team conducts test sessions several times a year. Our average number of test candidates range from 4-10 people, both walk-ins and reserved seats. Our September session had only one person test and pass their Tech test. Our November test session which is on the 19th, so far has not a single person reserve a seat or inquire about the test.

Has anyone who conducts in-person test sessions experienced a drop in the number of people who want to get their ham license because of the now required $35 license fee? I think its very unusual to suddenly see no interest in getting a ham license just because a person has to pay $35 for their first license.
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W0CKI

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2022, 06:35:05 PM »

I think 35 bucks is a very small price to pay for a license. Anyone who says that’s the reason to not get a ticket sure hasn’t taken a look at the costs of entry to get on the air. Well, maybe they have. Us old guys built at least the TX. Of course, that stuff isn’t taught anymore.
Today you buy it, plug it in and do FT8.
Gary W0CKI
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AC2EU

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    • McVey Electronics
Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2022, 07:21:41 PM »

4 to 10 taking the test and only 1 passed the Technician?
Wow! The dumbing down of America is REAL, and there's the proof!

W0CKI

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2022, 07:39:35 PM »


No, he said only one took the test and passed. I do agree that America has certainly been dumbed down.
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SWMAN

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2022, 07:49:07 PM »

 I think $35.00 is a great price. That’s only $3.50 per year.
Can’t beat that.
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N8AUC

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2022, 09:47:05 PM »

Our club completed a license class in September. We conduct a class when there is enough interest.
We had enough visitors to our Field Day site which caused the interest needed to hold a class.
The class was conducted via zoom, and was well received.

We had 3 students. So far, 2 of them passed their exams. No one has complained about the $35 fee from the FCC.

Note: Once the pass their tests and attempt to get on the air, some elmering is likely required.
It has been for our students.

73 de N8AUC
Eric
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N8NK

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    • N8NK QRP
Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2022, 03:59:35 AM »

...
Today you buy it, plug it in and do FT8.
Gary W0CKI

How sad. And untrue.
Many come to the hobby from an electronics or engineering career.
Some from the military.
Some just because they're smart.
As the nation goes- so goes the hobby: dumber
And yes, it IS a hobby. Long, LONG gone are the days when the amateur radio ranks was considered a repository of talent in times of national need.
Why just last night I was listening to a couple guys talking about 'The League' - one wondering when 'The League' invented ham radio. I felt like keying up and explaining that 'The League' did much more than that: they invented electromagnetism.
But I digress.
Chuck
dit dit
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K4GTE

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2022, 04:49:59 AM »

If $35 is keeping people from obtaining their license, then this hobby/service wasn't for them anyway. And if it weren't for the ARRL, the fee would be $50. We noticed a decline in test applicants lately, it seems people are having to go back to work since covid restrictions have been lifted. No longer stuck at home with a lot of spare time.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2022, 04:53:32 AM by K4GTE »
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WA9AFM

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2022, 05:12:13 AM »

The $35 fee over a ten year period works out to about 1 cent/day.  Our VE team gives our test candidates a briefing on what the fee is about, when and how to pay it.  So far, no one has had a problem with it.
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G8FXC

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2022, 05:20:46 AM »

If $35 is keeping people from obtaining their license, then this hobby/service wasn't for them anyway. And if it weren't for the ARRL, the fee would be $50. We noticed a decline in test applicants lately, it seems people are having to go back to work since covid restrictions have been lifted. No longer stuck at home with a lot of spare time.

I think that things like the end of COVID and the looming financial crisis are more likely the issue. When COVID was at its peak, I had a chat with someone from one of the big dealerships here and he told me that they were raking it in. With face-to-face social interaction so restricted, people were looking for new hobbies and hams who had been inactive for years were ducting down the shack.

Martin (G8FXC)
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SWMAN

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2022, 05:59:07 AM »

 For that price I’ll take 2 of them.
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AI5BC

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2022, 06:58:20 AM »

Given the competency, knowledge, and age demonstrated by most hams, they ought to do away with the test and just make it an application fee.
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K4GTE

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2022, 08:07:15 AM »

Given the competency, knowledge, and age demonstrated by most hams, they ought to do away with the test and just make it an application fee.

A sad ham comment that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic. Just sad.
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AI5BC

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2022, 08:13:50 AM »

Given the competency, knowledge, and age demonstrated by most hams, they ought to do away with the test and just make it an application fee.

A sad ham comment that has absolutely nothing to do with the topic. Just sad.
Sorry but it has everything to do with the subject. Perhaps you should read the title. The only sad part is the truth, the public view of hams is the same as CB operators.
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WA3SKN

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Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2022, 08:40:21 AM »

We tested 14 this last Saturday... mostly upgrades, but a few technicians.  We have NOT seen a lowering of interest in our tech, general, or extra class classes, with or without the FCC fee.  The interest is there.

-Mike.
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