DARC Call To Action – FCC Proposes $50 Fee

Greetings! The FCC has published a proposal to charge a $50.00 fee for a new amateur license, a license renewal, a license upgrade, or issuing a vanity call sign. This is a big change from the past when no fees were charged for amateur radio licensing.

Anyone can comment on this proposal, but the comment period ends next week.

Please read the ARRL’s notice of this proposal. It explains a few things and offers suggestions for filing comments. The ARRL offers suggestions on their website regarding how to comment here.

You can contact the FCC and file a comment at the following web address:

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=20-270

Comments must be filed by November 16th, 2020.

If enough of us hams contact the FCC and politely, logically, and honestly voice our concerns, we can potentially turn away the possibility of having to pay for the privilege of volunteering our time, equipment, and services for the public good.

And if you know of a public official or someone who has benefited from amateur radio in our area, please ask them to submit comments also. The more opposition this proposal generates, the greater the likelihood that the FCC will back down.

Richard Matthews

Author: KB4CAY

Ham since 1981. Secretary of Decatur Amateur Radio Club since 2001. I like digital modes and listening to local repeaters.