FCC Report & Order - GMRS License Fee Lowered to $35

[SDK]

I was researching yesterday and found that it is still $70 (March 8, 2022). Spread out over 10 years it is still worth getting when you want it. Why wait for just a penny a day savings?

[Lscott]

23 hours ago, SDK said:

I was researching yesterday and found that it is still $70 (March 8, 2022). Spread out over 10 years it is still worth getting when you want it. Why wait for just a penny a day savings?

If you can't afford $70 for a license good for ten years you likely can't afford to buy a radio to use the license either.

[Blaise]

So apparently, it's really happening?

[gortex2]

EFFECTIVE DATE OF NEW APPLICATION FEE RATES FOR THE WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU
MD Docket No. 20-270

On December 23, 2020, the Commission adopted a Report and Order implementing a new application fee schedule which significantly updated the Commission’s previous fee schedule. As indicated in the 2020 Application Fee Report and Order, the new application fee rates will become effective when the Commission’s “information technology systems and internal procedures have been updated, and the Commission publishes notice(s) in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of such rules.” On July 6, 2021, the Commission announced the new application fee rates for the Office of Engineering and Technology and the Media Bureau would become effective on July 15, 2021, and on December 15, 2021, the Commission announced the new application fee rates for the Wireline Competition Bureau, the Enforcement Bureau, the International Bureau, and CALEA Petitions would become effective on December 15, 2021. This Public Notice announces that the new application fee rates for the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, codified at 47 CFR § 1.1102, will become effective on April 19, 2022. Wireless application fees can be paid through the Commission’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) at Universal Licensing System.

 

Full document can be downloaded here - https://www.fcc.gov/document/effective-date-wireless-application-fee-rates

 

[jgillaspy]

Yep, just read the same thing over at QRZ. Glad I got my General class and Vanity call sign before this. I may actually try for Amateur Extra sooner than I had planned. 

JG

[Blaise]

The price of a gmrs license went from cheap to cheaper, so you're glad you got a ham license?  

Color me confused...

 

[BoxCar]

Currently there is no charge for an amateur license.

[SteveShannon]

3 hours ago, Blaise said:

The price of a gmrs license went from cheap to cheaper, so you're glad you got a ham license?  

Color me confused...

 

At the same time GMRS fees come down to $35 from $70, ham license fees go from $0 to $35.

His gladness has nothing to do with the price of GMRS, just the fact that he got his ham license before they start charging a fee.

[axorlov]

In a big picture, $35 is only what, 6 big macs? I can easily save it not having breakfast for a week. Taking in account how much money ham gear costs, it's nothing. But it is a historical precedence, I think Ham license was always free in US, no? Not counting the testing fees.