eHam

eHam Forums => Licensing => Topic started by: WB0CJB on November 12, 2022, 05:35:15 PM

Title: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: WB0CJB 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: W0CKI 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
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: AC2EU 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!
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: W0CKI 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: SWMAN 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: N8AUC 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
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: N8NK 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
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: K4GTE 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: WA9AFM 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: G8FXC 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)
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: SWMAN on November 13, 2022, 05:59:07 AM
 For that price I’ll take 2 of them.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: AI5BC 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: K4GTE 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: AI5BC 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: WA3SKN 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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: K4FMH on November 13, 2022, 01:59:56 PM
...
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

Chuck,

This Maxim Mythology is far from true. Clarence Tuska taught Hiram Maxim about wireless telegraphy. Tuska learned about the cutting edge from Hugo Gernsback, from whom he bought his parts for Maxim’s first radio. Gernsback organized the very first national wireless group, years before the ARRL was an idea.

73,

Frank
K4FMH
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: K1VSK on November 13, 2022, 05:07:28 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.

While I have no personal knowledge of license trends post the $35 fee, I don’t believe “free” was ever any incentive to pass a simple test and neither is it reasonable to believe $35 is an obstacle to a not inexpensive hobby.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: G8FXC on November 13, 2022, 11:42:34 PM
...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.
I think "the public view of hams" is zero - most of them are not aware that we exist. CB is better known - if only via wacky movies.

Martin (G8FXC)
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: K7MEM on November 14, 2022, 01:34:21 AM
I think "the public view of hams" is zero - most of them are not aware that we exist. CB is better known - if only via wacky movies.

How true. When I moved to my current location, I installed a 43' ground mounted vertical in the back yard. The neighbor behind me was curious and asked me about it. So I simply told them that, I was a amateur radio operator and it was my transmitting antenna. The neighbors daughter (mid 20s) then wanted to know what AM or FM channel I was broadcasting on so she could listen to me.

Maybe it's time for me to get my groove on with some low powered AM or FM. I still have lots of vinyl. Clap for the Wolfman. "Aaaoooooo! All right, baby. Have mercy!"
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: AF5CC on November 18, 2022, 08:38:05 AM
It does seem that more extra class 1 x 2 and 2 x 1 calls have remained available once the fee was started.  I guess it has cut down on people changing callsigns weekly and forming a dozen clubs on paper so they can have an extra class callsign for each one.  You have to pay the fee when you apply for a vanity call, and you no longer get it refunded if your choice isn't issued.

73 John AF5CC
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: KC3TEC on November 18, 2022, 05:39:19 PM
yeah so many people complained about the fee raise.
But that just for the first test and frn registration.
upgrading a license is still free.
but even at $35.00 for a 10 year license
thats only $3.50 a year
darn cheap if you ask me.
I dont think it negatively affects the influx of new hams,
only the complacency and curmudgeon factor will do that.

whats amusing is many of those who complained about the fee increase most likely have thousands invested in their shack and antennas. :o
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: W7XTV on November 18, 2022, 06:09:40 PM
but even at $35.00 for a 10 year license
thats only $3.50 a year
darn cheap if you ask me.

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.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: N2EY on November 22, 2022, 01:26:32 PM

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
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: K6CPO on November 22, 2022, 01:45:52 PM

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

This is because all the snowflakes won't feel left out because they can't graduate from school on their own merit.

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.

The ultimate snowflake move...
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: K4KYV on February 14, 2023, 04:53:10 PM
Most of those who posted to this thread seem to have missed the point entirely.  The measly $35 is NOT the issue.  The issue is the convoluted series of hoops one has to jump through to actually make the payment and complete the process.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: VE3WGO on February 14, 2023, 06:59:17 PM
...  the convoluted series of hoops one has to jump through to actually make the payment and complete the process.

Seems to be a form of competence test, don't you think?    Not a bad idea for a technical hobby!

73, Ed
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: AI5BC on February 15, 2023, 06:54:56 AM
  The issue is the convoluted series of hoops one has to jump through to actually make the payment and complete the process.
Yep it can be tough on a Boomer to think, follow instructions, and use logic.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: N2EY on March 25, 2023, 10:09:39 AM
Most of those who posted to this thread seem to have missed the point entirely.  The measly $35 is NOT the issue.  The issue is the convoluted series of hoops one has to jump through to actually make the payment and complete the process.

Exactly right!

It's almost as if FCC doesn't want new amateurs, nor existing ones to renew....

73 de Jim, N2EY
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: W6BP on March 26, 2023, 12:06:58 PM
Most of those who posted to this thread seem to have missed the point entirely.  The measly $35 is NOT the issue.  The issue is the convoluted series of hoops one has to jump through to actually make the payment and complete the process.

Exactly right!

It's almost as if FCC doesn't want new amateurs, nor existing ones to renew....

73 de Jim, N2EY

If the FCC doesn't want new amateurs, they're doing a bad job of discouraging applicants. I've been tracking the folks who've applied for new licenses through our VE group, and have found that almost all of them -- young, old, and in-between -- have had no problem figuring out how to get an FRN to take the test and pay the $35 dollar fee after passing the test. And those who are upgrading see their new license class appear in the FCC database with no further action needed on the applicant's part.

It seems to me that it's just the renewal process that's snake-bit. And even then, people who take the time to call the FCC seem to get the assistance they need.  According to the ARRL, the FCC Licensing Support Center can be reached at 877-480-3201 (Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET). I wish they'd put this number on their home page in large print.
Title: Re: $35 license fee and new ham influx
Post by: KC3TEC on March 27, 2023, 09:51:46 AM
Yeah we all know that the process changes like that are designed to keep fcc employees in their jobs rather than being replaced by an automated computer system.
Much of what they are doing is being done by automation already.