The $9 fee for a 5-year license in the 1970s was far more expensive than this $35 for 10 years when you account for inflation. $9 then is roughly $75 now. Double that for a 10-year term, and you have $150 in 2022 dollarettes, compared to the $35 we actually pay.
That's about right - depends on what inflation calculator and original year you use.
But there's more!!!Back in the 1970s, there were fees for new licenses, renewals, and modifications - including upgrades. (The Novice was free, but the other licenses weren't). You paid the fee for every test, pass or fail.
Today, test fees are set by the VECs, with a maximum set by FCC. Some VECs charge the maximum, some less, some are free. Modifications are free, too.
And then, effective January 1, 1977, all fees for US amateur licenses were dropped.
73 de Jim, N2EY