Hello Mike et al,I have heard far more Central Division members supporting this fee thanthose who appose. Personally, I am apposed generating about $9M per yearfor the Federal Treasury. What I am hearing, in a wide majority of CentralDivision members is that $5 per year is a nominal amount and we shouldnot appose this. The response I am seeing is not what I expected.I understand that minor changes such as change of address will be providedfor free but renewals will be $50. My question is; will there really be a $50'application" fee for unsuccessful applicants who fail an examination ?We do need to send a clear unified message, right now there is none.Perhaps Mr. Siddall could give us some background about this proposal.73, Kermit W9XA
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OK, you guys have caused me to offload about this now. It's been brewing since last week, and I'm glad somebody else brought it up.
When I read the press release that HQ put out over the fees last week, I noticed something important missing in the message: The "here's what YOUR ARRL is doing about it" part. The press release was just a fact sheet telling members pretty much what they already knew. IMHO there should have been something there that at least said that we are studying the proposal and would be providing a response to the FCC. What a missed opportunity to remind members that part of our "value add" is fighting for them, whether it be spectrum defense, or in this case, fees that might cause some to wonder if $50 is worth it.
The people that are working and have jobs will see this as "it's only $5 a year! Somebody not terribly active and living on social security or disability may wind up making a choice of whether to spend that $50 on food or medical care, or renewing their ham license. For new hams the $15 fee for VE services will $65, and that will be a barrier for some.
We need to defeat this.
73;
Mike
W7VO
I agree.
ARRL needs to be driving the message. And again all I’m hearing is silence. I’m not even sure what our position is on this.
Ria
N2RJ
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I have given a few club presentations and they are asking "what can we do?"
Can ARRL HQ generate talking points the members can include in their personal comments to the FCC?
73,
Matt Holden KØBBC
Director, Dakota Division, American Radio Relay League
It was the primary discussion on a big club Zoom meeting I attended last night, and this morning my in-box was full of "what is the ARRL doing about this?" e-mails from members.
The message to the membership should be forceful, and show we are on top of it.
73;
Mike
W7VO
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It’s in the works. Should be posted today assuming EC review.
--Barry, N1VXY
From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> On Behalf Of Mark J Tharp
Sent: Friday, August 28, 2020 9:33 AM
To: david davidsiddall-law.com <david@davidsiddall-law.com>
Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org>
Subject: [arrl-odv:30827] Re: Proposed Amateur Radio Application Fees
Barry, are we putting a story together for this?
I see QRZ and most all of the social media outlets have already done so.
Would be best to be first, but I hope we at least officially address it on the web.
Mark, HDX
All,
Yesterday the FCC did release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it proposes to overhaul its application fee structure. Since so many services use the same ULS system, the effect on amateurs if adopted as proposed would be to charge amateurs the same amounts as those in other radio services for similar actions. Specifically, for the amateur service, the FCC proposes a $50. fee for (1) new or renewal applications; (2) vanity call applications; (3) license upgrade applications. Administrative changes to a license – such as change of address – would continue to be free.
There will be the standard opportunity to comment and lobby the Commission, as in most proceedings. Deadlines for doing so have not yet been established.
Obviously we will be discussing this, including the Executive Committee when it comes time to comment. The FCC proposal in its entirety can be viewed here:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-116A1.pdf. Paragraphs 24-30 address applications in the amateur service (with GMRS and other similar licenses).
73,
Dave
David R. Siddall
Managing Partner
DS Law, PLLC
direct: +1 202 559 4690
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From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org> on behalf of "rjairam@gmail.com" <rjairam@gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 12:41 PM
To: ODV <arrl-odv@arrl.org>
Subject: [arrl-odv:30821] New amateur radio application fees?
This report says there is going to be a nee $50 fee for amateur radio license applications.
I thought we discussed this already and there was not going to be a fee.
Comments? Probably would be a good thing for david Siddal to look into.
73
Ria
N2RJ
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