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FCC Proposes to Reinstate Amateur Radio Service Fees

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Wrightwood:

ad astra:
For many people $50 is a rather hefty fee, especially to renew a license with no changes. I can foresee a lot of the people we all brought into the hobby for emergency preparedness letting their license lapse after 10 years rather than renew at that cost. I wonder how others feel?

Nolena:
I believe that impediments should not be put in the way of people communicating. $50 could be an impediment. Financial status should not be a factor.

ForestGal:
I agree with both ad astra and Nolena.  $50 is not a "nominal" fee to many people, and would, in fact, likely prohibit some who are interested in obtaining licenses, from attempting to do so.  I obtained my Technician class license in 2008, not for use as a hobby, but for disaster preparedness.  I don't remember what the fee was to take the exam, but it wasn't very much, around $20?  It was the same when I upgraded to General class the following year, and only $7 to renew for 10 years.  The radio was an invaluable tool when we had to evacuate in 2009 and 2016 because of fires.  Being able to communicate and receive information during a disaster, when phone service might be unavailable, is crucial. 

lwt42:
According to the article, this is a proposal from the FCC, which has not reached the NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking).

The NPRM must be published in the Federal Register, and there will be a comment period.  I would encourage everyone who has an opinion to file comments with the Commission.

When I was first licensed, I had to pay a fee to the FCC for my license.  Novice licenses (which no longer exist) could be given my another ham, but I had to go to the FCC office to take the Technician test.  That changed in 1977, and I haven't had to pay the FCC since.

I can't find anything on the web that gives the pre-1977 fee structure.

The VE testing fee that most of you paid went to the organization that administered the testing session (VE team and VEC) and is set to cover costs (printing, preparation, etc.).

I also hold a GMRS license, which cost $70 for a ten year license.  My wife and I can use those when camping and there is no test.  We could have gone with shorter range FRS radios and saved the fee, I guess.

$50 for a ten year license is $5 per year.

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