I asked Counsel Siddall this afternoon to provide us with some counsel on the application fee matter and arguments/points our members can use. As I told the EC, I want to fight against it for all applications, regardless of whether it is applied to new or renewal applications, vanity call, or license upgrades. 73,Rick - K5UR -----Original Message----- From: Michael Ritz <w7vo@comcast.net> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org> Sent: Thu, Sep 3, 2020 10:07 pm Subject: [arrl-odv:30863] Re: Proposed Amateur Radio Application Fees I agree! At least the ARRL Bulletin had this in it today: "ARRL is reviewing the matter and intends to file comments in opposition." A little soft by my book, but better than the original press release. I was recently watching one of the popular video blogs, (5,000 subscribers), and the guy was bashing us for not taking a stand in the initial press release. I don't think he's alone in that..... 73; Mike W7VO On 09/03/2020 6:29 PM Mickey Baker <fishflorida@gmail.com> wrote: Agree with Dale, Jim, John and Ria and many prior comments. I’ve had a number of members write in opposition. The consensus is, yes, $50 every 10 years won’t hurt most of us but it will provide an economic barrier to entry to those considering amateur radio - particularly young and economically disadvantaged. It will definitely have a dampening effect on the growth of amateur radio. We should charge our counsel to compose a full throated, broad oppositional response to this proposal on our behalf, and perhaps provide a template for member opposition filings. 73, Mickey N4MB On Thu, Sep 3, 2020 at 8:56 PM rjairam@gmail.com < rjairam@gmail.com> wrote: John, Full agreement here. 73 Ria, N2RJ On Thu, Sep 3, 2020 at 8:25 PM John Robert Stratton < N5AUS@n5aus.com> wrote: All I posted this to the EC reflector, but forgot to cross post it. If we are to preserve the support of our Members, our donors, the respect of the perennial naysayers and the FCC, I believe we must oppose the planned assessment of fees against Amateur licensees. Even, if based on David Siddal's advice and opinion, we may face an uphill battle or even no chance of prevailing, we should use the opportunity to take a public stand — with a well articulated and published position and campaign— against the implementation of the proposed fees. One of our most damaging failings — and it has been for many years — is that we do not communicate well to the public or with our Members that the League is always standing for the rights of Amateur Radio and our Members; that failing cries out to be corrected. Our current town criers do not serve us well. Who knows? By entering the lists, we might just take the day. _______________________________________ John Robert Stratton N5AUS Director West Gulf Division Office: 512-445-6262 Cell: 512-426-2028 P.O. Box 2232 Austin, Texas 78768-2232 _______________________________________ _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv -- “Ends and beginnings—there are no such things. There are only middles.” Robert Frost _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv