eHam
eHam Forums => Licensing => Topic started by: N1AUP on January 01, 2021, 03:25:47 PM
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Pending.
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Pending.
We get to see which hams place very little value on their license.
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Pending.
We get to see which hams place very little value on their license.
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If you want to you can just throw in the towel, it really won't hurt my feelings at all.
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The fee.....abert the cost of a carton of smokes, I think
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The fee.....abert the cost of a carton of smokes, I think
But slightly less than the cost of emphysema.
Tom KH0/KC0W
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$35 for a ten year license is less than a penny a day.
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Pending.
Got any gear to sell cheap?
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$35 for a ten year license is less than a penny a day.
That will still get the ultra cheapskates staining their undies and make believe they cant afford it by whatever sympathy excuse they can come up with.
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The ones that are screaming the loudest are probably the same people that wouldn't think twice about dropping several thousand dollars on a new hf rig with all the bells and whistles.
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The ones that are screaming the loudest are probably the same people that wouldn't think twice about dropping several thousand dollars on a new hf rig with all the bells and whistles.
Or allegedly have one rig for each band and each mode.
Or allegedly have one antenna for each band.
:D
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Or allegedly have one antenna for each band.
I fall into that category and fully support the fee.
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Your not going to do anything about it.
Just like your cable bill or your cell phone bill. You pay it or it's shut off.
I hope they make it 100.00 bucks a month.
I would have no problem with that.
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Your not going to do anything about it.
Just like your cable bill or your cell phone bill. You pay it or it's shut off.
I hope they make it 100.00 bucks a month.
I would have no problem with that.
As a ham bootlegger with no ID Im sure your constant hot air blabbering wouldnt touch your wallet.
Pretty soon you will have every EHAM Forum category polluted with your crap
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As a ham bootlegger with no ID Im sure your constant hot air blabbering wouldnt touch your wallet.
Pretty soon you will have every EHAM Forum category polluted with your crap
See Carl that's my point.
All this easy test giveaway Ham Radio License stuff has to stop. It's like every Ham is a bootlegger so to speak.
If you can't change the license requirements then charge a monthly fee to keep your ticket.
Just like your Cell Phone Bill.
I say start at 100.00 per month and see who really wants to stick around and who is just a bootlegger.
I am 100 percent good with that.
I trust you are as well Carl.
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sure wish eham would make all forums open to those who use their actual callsign as id, and had a newbie /anonymous / non-ham section for those who want to chime in without a callsign.
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sure wish eham would make all forums open to those who use their actual callsign as id, and had a newbie /anonymous / non-ham section for those who want to chime in without a callsign.
I sure wish the FCC would bring back something that looked like a test to obtain the license.
This is the License forum.
Your issue belongs in the Site Talk forum.
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sure wish eham would make all forums open to those who use their actual callsign as id, and had a newbie /anonymous / non-ham section for those who want to chime in without a callsign.
Ditto!
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Your not going to do anything about it.
Just like your cable bill or your cell phone bill. You pay it or it's shut off.
I hope they make it 100.00 bucks a month.
I would have no problem with that.
As a ham bootlegger with no ID Im sure your constant hot air blabbering wouldnt touch your wallet.
Pretty soon you will have every EHAM Forum category polluted with your crap
I'll bet you that you never guessed that one day you'd be called a Prophet!! You were SO correct and now we have to "Ignore" him. ... sigh ... :'(
Charlie
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$35 for a ten year license is less than a penny a day.
9.58904109589 cents to be exact.
Even a Penny Pincher has no reason to complain about that.
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$35 for a ten year license is less than a penny a day.
9.58904109589 cents to be exact.
Even a Penny Pincher has no reason to complain about that.
But a troler will find several reasons to satisfy his OCS (Oppositional Conversational Style) affliction. Its a known issue, look it up.
Carl
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It's less than a penny a day Carl? What's wrong with that?
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9.58904109589 cents to be exact.
Not exactly exact, but off only by an order of magnitude.
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It's less than a penny a day. What's wrong with that?
Well when you are a looser living on social security, every penny counts.
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It's less than a penny a day. What's wrong with that?
Well when you are a looser living on social security, every penny counts.
Well if you are a looser living on social security, and every penny counts, you would not have internet or ham radio. I would be more concerned with food and shelter, so your right.
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2105: "Well when you are a looser living on social security, every penny counts."
That hurt! I could write a book on my accomplishments during my 86+ years and I don't consider myself a looser, thank you. At one point of my life I was working 1 full time and 3 part time jobs to provide us a livable future with savings and investments. Those are dwindling with each year that passes so, needless to say, no big purchases in sight.
We got our tickets in the early 60's when times were a lot better than the way it'll be in the very near future with higher taxes in sight and blue cities needing rebuilt with those funds, and being on a fixed income, we won't be doing any big buck spending. There's too many 'grasshoppers' out there that we have to feed and house which puts the squeeze on most hard worker's wallets.
The "penny a day" is ok for us, but I'd have to see proof of a license from you before I could even try to think you aren't completely without cranial filler. (No, that isn't sarcasm, it's realism.) No offense, of course. ::)
Charlie, K3UIM
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9.58904109589 cents to be exact.
Not exactly exact, but off only by an order of magnitude.
Infinite wisdom...
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It's less than a penny a day. What's wrong with that?
Well when you are a looser living on social security, every penny counts.
So you're saying that when you're a looser, you have to be tighter?
And I'm glad you didn't call people living on Social Security losers, because that would be reprehensible.
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This train is about to flip. I never called anybody a looser. Charlie you are violating the order of protection you put on me.
Everyone just take a deep breath and relax. You guys get all wound up too tight.
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A bit of grammar from a retired teacher:
Loser is a person who does not win a contest or a trial, etc.
Looser is what happens to a nut when I turn the wrench counter-clockwise (unless it's an old Chrysler product!!).
Just thought y'all would like to know. (Yes, I know y'all ain't good grammar, but I live in the Mid South!)
'nuff said!
Will Rogers
K5WLR
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A bit of grammar from a retired teacher:
Looser is what happens to a nut when I turn the wrench counter-clockwise (unless it's an old Chrysler product!!).
A+. But just remember that a looser nut can become a loser.
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A bit of grammar from a retired teacher:
Looser is what happens to a nut when I turn the wrench counter-clockwise (unless it's an old Chrysler product!!).
A+. But just remember that a looser nut can become a loser.
... and if it gets a bit looser, it can become lost!!!
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A bit of grammar from a retired teacher:
Loser is a person who does not win a contest or a trial, etc.
Looser is what happens to a nut when I turn the wrench counter-clockwise (unless it's an old Chrysler product!!).
Just thought y'all would like to know. (Yes, I know y'all ain't good grammar, but I live in the Mid South!)
'nuff said!
Will Rogers
K5WLR
Did you take the time to actually read this entire thread. Consider that your homework.
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Yes, I have... at some point our government will require us to pay for the privilege of being amateur radio operators. Over the years, I have paid for my license, either a fee for the license or the vanity fee. It is, in my opinion, a small price to pay for the privilege and pleasure this hobby brings me. Just have to dig a little deep once every 10 years. And, so, I will.
End of discussion for me.
73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
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I appreciate your service as a teacher. You want to give another grammar lesson? You were pretty quick to jump and pile on me for my spelling. Not everyone is perfect.
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A bit of grammar from a retired teacher:
Looser is what happens to a nut when I turn the wrench counter-clockwise (unless it's an old Chrysler product!!).
A+. But just remember that a looser nut can become a loser.
Plus a few British lug nuts. The Trolling losers on here are all nuts.
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I appreciate your service as a teacher. You want to give another grammar lesson? You were pretty quick to jump and pile on me for my spelling. Not everyone is perfect.
Nothing personal, my friend. Just wanted to pass that along. I am definitely not perfect. My shack suffers from what an old friend who is now SK would call the "field day mentality." So, no perfection here.
My apology if one is needed...
73
Will
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Thanks Will!! No apology needed my friend. Thanks again for your service as a Teacher.
73
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Nothing personal, my friend. Just wanted to pass that along. I am definitely not perfect. My shack suffers from what an old friend who is now SK would call the "field day mentality." So, no perfection here.
My apology if one is needed...
I and some others have him blocked due to continuous caustic trolling all over Eham. Ignoring is the best solution for someone with OCS, Oppositional Conversational Style, quite a lot about it on Google.
Carl
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Yes, I have... at some point our government will require us to pay for the privilege of being amateur radio operators. Over the years, I have paid for my license, either a fee for the license or the vanity fee. It is, in my opinion, a small price to pay for the privilege and pleasure this hobby brings me. Just have to dig a little deep once every 10 years. And, so, I will.
End of discussion for me.
73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
Well said! Same here!
A bit of personal history...
Looking back at over 53 years as a licensed radio amateur, I think I got a pretty good deal. Let's see....
My 1967 Novice was free. My 1968 Technician and Advanced cost $4 each (FCC charged for tests from March 1964 to December 31, 1976). My 1970 Extra cost $9, and when I renewed it in 1975 the fee was $4.
Since then, no fees at all. (N2EY is not a vanity call).
So...let's see....
Technician $4 ($33.45 in 2019 dollars)
Advanced $4 ($33.45 in 2019 dollars)
Extra $9 ($60.09 in 2019 dollars)
Renewal $4 ($19.27 in 2019 dollars)
Total fees: $21 ($146.26 in 2019 dollars, per the Westegg Inflation Calculator). All paid in a period of just 7 years!
License terms were only 5 years back then. Uphill both ways in 3 feet of August snow, too.
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Here's what I think the REAL issue is, based on observations since before I was licensed, and research even further back.
For some reason, a considerable number of radio amateurs think that "the rules" should be whatever they were when THEY started out. "The rules" can include FCC rules, the price of radios, how particular things are done, callsign assignments, band edges, license tests, and of course fees.
I first noticed this way back in the 1960s when "incentive licensing" was the hot topic.
In those days, there were six license classes, (Novice, Technician, Conditional, General, Advanced, Extra). Only Novice and Technician had limited privileges; the other four license classes allowed all authorized modes and full legal power on all US amateur frequencies.
That state of affairs had only existed since mid-February 1953, but in the 1960s most US hams had been licensed after that. (US amateur radio licenses grew from about 100,000 in 1950 to about 250,000 in the early 1960s). Most US hams then were Conditionals or Generals. Despite having been created in 1951, there were only a few thousand Extras - it was the least-numerous license in the structure.
Many if not most of the "newcomers" who had full privileges thought that once they'd earned their Generals or Conditionals they were ENTITLED to full privileges FOREVER. They didn't know and/or didn't care what the license privileges had been before 1953, they only knew that they were ENTITLED to full privileges. They were OUTRAGED that they might lose privileges, and would have to take another test or two in order to regain them.
Over time, the idea of multiple license classes with different privileges for each became accepted by most. But you'll still come across the occasional old-timer who whines about "incentive licensing".
The same thing happened when FM replaced AM on VHF, when solids-state gear began to displace hollow-state, when computers showed up in ham shacks, when the VE system was created, whenever license requirements changed, when the power limit increased for most modes but decreased for others, when remote stations via internet became possible, etc.
And the folks who have this attitude hold onto their grudges FOREVER. Not just about "incentive licensing", either. For example:
It used to be that one's callsign had to match the call district of one's station license. Move across a boundary and you got a new call. That went away in the late 1970s, well over 40 years ago, but some folks still complain about it.
It used to be that if you moved across call-district lines you had to restart DXCC (except if the move was less than 150 miles). About 50 years ago, that rule was changed to "all DXCC Qs must be made from the same DXCC entity to qualify". For some folks, that RUINED DXCC.
LOTW? There are folks who claim that only paper QSLs are "real confirmations".
This attitude even affects used radio prices. I've seen current-model used radios for sale at prices very close to the new price. The mindset of the seller seems to be "I paid over $1000 for this new, it's barely used and less than two years old, so I should get $900 for it." Never mind that the price has dropped and a new one with a warranty sells for $850 today; they are ENTITLED to $900 because they paid over $1000.
And so now we have folks who think that, because US amateur licenses were free when they started out, they should always be free.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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Yes, I have... at some point our government will require us to pay for the privilege of being amateur radio operators. Over the years, I have paid for my license, either a fee for the license or the vanity fee. It is, in my opinion, a small price to pay for the privilege and pleasure this hobby brings me. Just have to dig a little deep once every 10 years. And, so, I will.
End of discussion for me.
73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
Well said! Same here!
A bit of personal history...
Looking back at over 53 years as a licensed radio amateur, I think I got a pretty good deal. Let's see....
My 1967 Novice was free. My 1968 Technician and Advanced cost $4 each (FCC charged for tests from March 1964 to December 31, 1976). My 1970 Extra cost $9, and when I renewed it in 1975 the fee was $4.
Since then, no fees at all. (N2EY is not a vanity call).
So...let's see....
Technician $4 ($33.45 in 2019 dollars)
Advanced $4 ($33.45 in 2019 dollars)
Extra $9 ($60.09 in 2019 dollars)
Renewal $4 ($19.27 in 2019 dollars)
Total fees: $21 ($146.26 in 2019 dollars, per the Westegg Inflation Calculator). All paid in a period of just 7 years!
License terms were only 5 years back then. Uphill both ways in 3 feet of August snow, too.
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Here's what I think the REAL issue is, based on observations since before I was licensed, and research even further back.
For some reason, a considerable number of radio amateurs think that "the rules" should be whatever they were when THEY started out. "The rules" can include FCC rules, the price of radios, how particular things are done, callsign assignments, band edges, license tests, and of course fees.
I first noticed this way back in the 1960s when "incentive licensing" was the hot topic.
In those days, there were six license classes, (Novice, Technician, Conditional, General, Advanced, Extra). Only Novice and Technician had limited privileges; the other four license classes allowed all authorized modes and full legal power on all US amateur frequencies.
That state of affairs had only existed since mid-February 1953, but in the 1960s most US hams had been licensed after that. (US amateur radio licenses grew from about 100,000 in 1950 to about 250,000 in the early 1960s). Most US hams then were Conditionals or Generals. Despite having been created in 1951, there were only a few thousand Extras - it was the least-numerous license in the structure.
Many if not most of the "newcomers" who had full privileges thought that once they'd earned their Generals or Conditionals they were ENTITLED to full privileges FOREVER. They didn't know and/or didn't care what the license privileges had been before 1953, they only knew that they were ENTITLED to full privileges. They were OUTRAGED that they might lose privileges, and would have to take another test or two in order to regain them.
Over time, the idea of multiple license classes with different privileges for each became accepted by most. But you'll still come across the occasional old-timer who whines about "incentive licensing".
The same thing happened when FM replaced AM on VHF, when solids-state gear began to displace hollow-state, when computers showed up in ham shacks, when the VE system was created, whenever license requirements changed, when the power limit increased for most modes but decreased for others, when remote stations via internet became possible, etc.
And the folks who have this attitude hold onto their grudges FOREVER. Not just about "incentive licensing", either. For example:
It used to be that one's callsign had to match the call district of one's station license. Move across a boundary and you got a new call. That went away in the late 1970s, well over 40 years ago, but some folks still complain about it.
It used to be that if you moved across call-district lines you had to restart DXCC (except if the move was less than 150 miles). About 50 years ago, that rule was changed to "all DXCC Qs must be made from the same DXCC entity to qualify". For some folks, that RUINED DXCC.
LOTW? There are folks who claim that only paper QSLs are "real confirmations".
This attitude even affects used radio prices. I've seen current-model used radios for sale at prices very close to the new price. The mindset of the seller seems to be "I paid over $1000 for this new, it's barely used and less than two years old, so I should get $900 for it." Never mind that the price has dropped and a new one with a warranty sells for $850 today; they are ENTITLED to $900 because they paid over $1000.
And so now we have folks who think that, because US amateur licenses were free when they started out, they should always be free.
73 de Jim, N2EY
Not only do they think their used rig with no warrantee is worth as much as a new one, they want you to pay shipping when they received free shipping.
The real scoundrels demand PayPal and want you to pay the PayPal fee for them, which violates PayPal policy.
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Not only do they think their used rig with no warrantee is worth as much as a new one, they want you to pay shipping when they received free shipping.
There is no such thing as FREE shipping, it is already included in the selling price.
The real scoundrels demand PayPal and want you to pay the PayPal fee for them, which violates PayPal policy.
I wouldnt get upset over that as PayPal has screwed millions of dollars out of people and there is no recourse as if it was a real bank.
Carl
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Not only do they think their used rig with no warrantee is worth as much as a new one, they want you to pay shipping when they received free shipping.
There is no such thing as FREE shipping, it is already included in the selling price.
The real scoundrels demand PayPal and want you to pay the PayPal fee for them, which violates PayPal policy.
I wouldnt get upset over that as PayPal has screwed millions of dollars out of people and there is no recourse as if it was a real bank.
Carl
Which only enforces the point that asking $900 plus shipping and PayPal fees for a 2 year old rig with “no returns” is ridiculous when the same rig new is $999.99 shipped with a guarantee.
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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.
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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.
Some of us with the education plus experience prefer the older gear SS and tube. I find working on it and operating is very relaxing unlike the signals for much of the later stuff.
You seem to stick to Eham as your pacifier after continuing to say "this is my last post" What a crutch and can I call you Gary again?
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I'd tell you what to call him, but mother would haunt me for it. LOL
Charlie
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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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What does the cost of used gear have to do with the new licensing application fee?
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What does the cost of used gear have to do with the new licensing application fee?
Nothing.
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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
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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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?
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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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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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....
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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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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 (http://www.qsl.net/g3zhi)
http://www.pa7lim.nl/peanut/ (http://www.pa7lim.nl/peanut/) voip hams only
http://meet.jit.si/truckcam (http://meet.jit.si/truckcam) for video qsos
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It was published in the Federal Register this morning and is effective as of April 19, 2021. The payment infrastructure is in place.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-03-19/pdf/2021-03042.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2XmV3EPQcUfQoM7imauJGyWwnLJf_W0Fn8XnIbAiBEx3wear4tL5K-mYE
https://apps2.fcc.gov/Batch_Filer/login.cfm
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I have a cunning plan to deal with the license fee:
I'm going to pay it.
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EY: Oh, you're such a rascal! ;D LOL
Charlie
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I say just pay it, it's only once every 10 years, no biggy.
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I upgraded, Novice to Extra, in early 1999, but I don't remember what I paid. I think I paid $18 in 2000 for my vanity callsign. That updated my renewal date. In 2010 I paid $18 to renew my ham license, because I had a vanity call sign. Then in 2020 I didn't pay anything to renew my ham license. In 2030 I will have to pay $35 to renew my ham license, unless they change it by then.
So, in the end, I think I have gotten my moneys worth. A few bucks every 10 years isn't going to break the bank.
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So, in the end, I think I have gotten my moneys worth. A few bucks every 10 years isn't going to break the bank.
Agree BUT it creates a new layer of cheap ham cry babies who will use every trick in the book to fight it or get the ARRL using a part of my membership money to fund this pestilence.
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It's less than a penny a day. What's wrong with that?
Well when you are a looser living on social security, every penny counts.
So you're saying that when you're a looser, you have to be tighter?
And I'm glad you didn't call people living on Social Security losers, because that would be reprehensible.
It might be nice if he could actually spell "loser".
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Yes, I have... at some point our government will require us to pay for the privilege of being amateur radio operators. Over the years, I have paid for my license, either a fee for the license or the vanity fee. It is, in my opinion, a small price to pay for the privilege and pleasure this hobby brings me. Just have to dig a little deep once every 10 years. And, so, I will.
End of discussion for me.
73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
Spot on, Will! Completely agree.
Besides, it's cheap entertainment.
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And I'm glad you didn't call people living on Social Security losers, because that would be reprehensible.
If the term fits their description so be it. Ive been on SS since 2002 and learned how to live with it and am tired of whining freeloaders.
Carl
Ham since 1955
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$35 for a ten year license is less than a penny a day.
9.58904109589 cents to be exact.
Even a Penny Pincher has no reason to complain about that.
Actually, you forgot to add the extra days for leap years, so...
So it's actually 0.9583789704271632 cents per day. Not sure how you converted your decimals.
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In 1933, the FRC (predecessor of the FCC) proposed a fee of $5 ($100.17 in 2019 dollars) for amateur operator licenses. In those days operator license terms were 3 years. This proposal was strongly opposed and was not enacted.
In 1954, the FCC proposed a fee of $3 ($28.93 in 2019 dollars) for amateur licenses. In those days, and until the early 1980s, license terms were 5 years. This proposal was strongly opposed and was not enacted.
In the early 1960s the FCC again proposed fees for amateur licenses, and this time the proposal was enacted despite the opposition. The original effective date of January 1, 1964 was delayed a few months by a legal challenge, but by mid-March, 1964 the following fees were enacted:
New or renewed license: $4 ($33.45 in 2019 dollars)
Modified license: $2 ($16.72)
Special callsign: $20 ($167.25)
Novice and RACES licenses remained free.
Effective August 1, 1970, the FCC raised the above fees for amateur licenses to the following:
New or renewed license: $9 ($60.09 in 2019 dollars)
Modified license: $4 ($26.71)
Special callsign: $25 ($166.92)
Novice and RACES licenses remained free.
Effective March 1, 1975, the FCC lowered the above fees for amateur licenses to the following:
New or renewed license: $4 ($19.27 in 2019 dollars)
Modified license: $3 ($14.46)
Duplicate license: $2 ($9.64)
Special callsign: $25 ($120.46)
Novice and RACES licenses remained free.
Finally, effective January 1, 1977, FCC dropped all fees for amateur licenses. From then until now, all US amateur licenses have been free.
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Guess you could unlock the rig and hang out on 27.555
I personally wish they'd bring back the CW testing. The day they eliminated it was the day ham radio went over the top of the hill and began it's steady slide down toward the pits.
N8NK
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I personally wish they'd bring back the CW testing. The day they eliminated it was the day ham radio went over the top of the hill and began it's steady slide down toward the pits.
I think ham radio started going downhill:
- the day governments began regulating the use of radio, thus denying us the entertaining aspects of chaos
- the day spark was made illegal
- the day the average age of amateur radio operators exceeded the age at which people tend to start sentences with the phrase "The problem with kids these days..."
- the decision to create the Novice license
- the decision to no longer grant new Novice licenses
- incentive licensing, which ground prospective hams under the bootheel of excessive expectations
- an open question pool, which removed the all-too-necessary bootheel
- the rise of CB in the 1970s, which deprived ham radio of new blood
- the subsequent decline of CB, which forced many CBers to become hams and work 75-meter phone
- the invention of FT8 by Joe Taylor, allowing hams to make contacts despite poor propagation, but in an impersonal way that doesn't have the warmth and personal touch that comes with repeatedly telling CW contacts that it's 65 degrees and drizzly in Topeka
- the general lack of desire to build equipment, news of which apparently hasn't reached the ever-increasing number of companies selling kits and parts
It's amazing that there are any of us left.
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Finally, effective January 1, 1977, FCC dropped all fees for amateur licenses. From then until now, all US amateur licenses have been free.
I was first licensed in March 1977... guess it's time I finally paid up. :P
In all seriousness, I can't help but wonder if even a small licensing fee would help get rid of the presumably considerable number of non-operating 'in name only' licensees. Might be nice to free up all those callsigns.
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Finally, effective January 1, 1977, FCC dropped all fees for amateur licenses. From then until now, all US amateur licenses have been free.
I was first licensed in March 1977... guess it's time I finally paid up. :P
In all seriousness, I can't help but wonder if even a small licensing fee would help get rid of the presumably considerable number of non-operating 'in name only' licensees. Might be nice to free up all those callsigns.
Also charge $300 for a "club" call. Too many "clubs" out there with zero members.
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"I personally wish they'd bring back the CW testing. The day they eliminated it was the day ham radio went over the top of the hill and began it's steady slide down toward the pits.
N8NK"
+1
Charlie
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"I personally wish they'd bring back the CW testing. The day they eliminated it was the day ham radio went over the top of the hill and began it's steady slide down toward the pits.
N8NK"
+1
Charlie
Half the fists are incomprehensible anyway! Especially the "old timers" who think it's cool to use a bug, but don't really know how to adjust and/or operate one!
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"I personally wish they'd bring back the CW testing. The day they eliminated it was the day ham radio went over the top of the hill and began it's steady slide down toward the pits.
N8NK"
+1
Charlie
Half the fists are incomprehensible anyway! Especially the "old timers" who think it's cool to use a bug, but don't really know how to adjust and/or operate one!
It’s not the bug, as they get up there in years their hands just get a little shaky.
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Pay it. If I don't pay it and just let it lapse I guess I won't be pay the ARRL $40 per year, saving $435 over the course of 10 years.
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Well just listen to the pileup on 7.200! Probably will get worse.
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Well just listen to the pileup on 7.200! Probably will get worse.
That’s why the dial spins. 🧐🥸
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Also charge $300 for a "club" call. Too many "clubs" out there with zero members.
Eliminate club licenses. There is no reason a club needs to have a callsign.
There were no club licenses issued in the 1980s and ham radio survived.
73 John AF5CC
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Also charge $300 for a "club" call. Too many "clubs" out there with zero members.
Eliminate club licenses. There is no reason a club needs to have a callsign.
There were no club licenses issued in the 1980s and ham radio survived.
73 John AF5CC
After belonging to several clubs, I humbly disagree.
I always found it nice when club events use the club call sign. Also the club call sign is used on the club repeater. That way if anyone is interested, they can easily find information by searching on the club call sign.
But I do agree that clubs with no members, bylaws, officers, or budjet for club activities should not be granted a club license. Otherwise you just have 1 person with more than 1 call sign.
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I just came across this thread. Found out that the FCC will charge for a ham license.
$35 for 10 years?? And people are complaining?? I can't believe that this thread has 6 pages of comments. Now I've added one ;D.
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I just came across this thread. Found out that the FCC will charge for a ham license.
$35 for 10 years?? And people are complaining?? I can't believe that this thread has 6 pages of comments. Now I've added one ;D.
The ARRL even thought that that was excessive.
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I just came across this thread. Found out that the FCC will charge for a ham license.
$35 for 10 years?? And people are complaining?? I can't believe that this thread has 6 pages of comments. Now I've added one ;D.
The ARRL even thought that that was excessive.
It's a REAL BARGAIN when compared to 10 years of ARRL membership!
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Well, if I may posit a need for a club license...
A club with a repeater does not have a club license and they use the license of the trustee. The trustee becomes a silent key. In following FCC rules, the repeater must go off the air until a new trustee is selected AND the NEW repeater callsign is programmed into the repeater, as the callsign of the SK trustee is cancelled upon his/her death.
On the other hand, a club with a club license and a repeater has a trustee become a silent key. The board of directors selects a new trustee and applies for a change of trustee online from the FCC. The repeater callsign does not need to be changed nor does the repeater need to go off the air.
This actually happened to a repeater in Florida a while back.
73
Will Rogers
K5WLR
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the thing thats making ham radio wane is not the license fees, its not the elimination of cw requirements from the tests, or the changes in the band allotments,
cw is still popular and will be popular to anyone who wishes to learn it.
whats killing ham radio is the apathy of the hams themselves.
Do you teach cw or participate in training drills with new hams or kids wanting to learn?
do you actively elmer a ym or yl?
its part of our responsibility!
old gear ( yes its educational and satisfying to repair),( Kits yes you do learn something by building them),( Homebrewing
yes very satisfying when the gear you built performs for you).
going out and spending a lot of money on glitz and glitter and pumping out the full legal limit (Because you can)?
many people forget the simple answer in the tech test ( use only the minimum amount of power necessary to get the message out).
hearing seasoned hams tell you the little radio you buy or build is a P.O.S and you should smash it and but a "REAL" radio
viewing a bunch of goofy looking guys on you tube yammer on about this expensive radio or that expensive radio and telling you this is what you should buy if you want to be a "REAL" ham
of course includes a link to purchase one.
you want to change things so the interest rises?
change the apathy get involved with teaching and actively promote interest instead of throwing stumbling blocks around.