New GMRS Application Fee Reduced to $35 (from $70)

[intermod]

The FCC had recently proposed a reduction from $70 to $50, but there was push-back at least from Randall Knowles, KAA8142.  The Commission subsequently reduced it further to $35.  This reduction also applies to license renewals. 

 

Source:

 

http://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-184A1.pdf

 

Some passages:

 

"41. One commenter, Knowles, contends that the proposed $50 fee for GMRS is too high, as

the application process is automated.  There is no testing involved, as with the amateur license. We

recognize that the application process for GMRS licenses is highly automated. There are, however, some

costs involved in ensuring applicants are qualified and off-lined applications are individually reviewed,

and we cannot conclude that there are no costs involved.

 

42. After reviewing the record, including the extensive comments filed by amateur radio

licensees and based on our revised analysis of the cost of processing mostly automated processes

discussed in our methodology section, we adopt a $35 application fee, a lower application fee than the

Commission proposed in the NPRM for personal licenses, in recognition of the fact that the application

process is mostly automated.

...

193. Rule effective date. As the Commission implements the changes to our application fee

schedule, we anticipate that OMD, along with the Bureaus and Offices, may be required to update some

of our licensing databases, payment instruction guides and/or adjust administrative internal procedures

before we may begin accepting the new fees for certain categories of application fee payors.

Accordingly, we direct the Office of Managing Director, in consultation with the relevant Offices and

Bureaus, to cause a notice to be published in the Federal Register announcing when rule change(s) will

become effective, once the relevant databases, guides, and internal procedures have been updated."

 

$35 can still exceed the cost of some CCRs, but this is an improvement.  While we would all want this to be zero, having some fee keeps the GMRS on the FCC's radar, if not for enforcement purposes. 

 

Randall Knowles, KAA8142, is from the North Shore Emergency Association.  He has lobbied extensively for the GMRS for decades, working closely with Corwin Moore of the Personal Radio Steering Group (PRSG) back in the day.  His call sign may be the oldest GMRS one I have identified; I think it was issued in 1976.  

 

Attachments area

[mbrun]

Thanks for posting. Here is another thread on the same subject.

 

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

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=112680&share_tid=2339&share_pid=21283&url=https://forums.mygmrs.com/index.php?/topic/2339-FCC-Report-%26-Order---GMRS-License-Fee-Lowered-to-%2435/page__view__findpost__p__21283&share_type=t&link_source=app

 

Happy New Year

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[WRKC935]

Well gee I wonder if they will be sending back half the money for folks that got their licenses in the last 12 months.

[enidpd804]

Well gee I wonder if they will be sending back half the money for folks that got their licenses in the last 12 months.

I'm gonna guess not.  I just got one for myself and another for my SIL.  Hmm.  Well, at least I know the feds will use the money wisely. 

[mainehazmt]

Well wonder when it is going in to effect..... looks like I’ll get screwed again lol payed the big bucks then renewed and then they changed it to 10 years. And now feb 22 due to renew again...and of course there is no lee way by holding off for a month...

[n4gix]

Randall Knowles, KAA8142, is from the North Shore Emergency Association.  He has lobbied extensively for the GMRS for decades, working closely with Corwin Moore of the Personal Radio Steering Group (PRSG) back in the day.  His call sign may be the oldest GMRS one I have identified; I think it was issued in 1976.

I've known Randy for quite awhile now, having been an active member of the NSEA for the past six years. Randy also put up the very first GMRS repeater in the nation, and was very instrumental in promoting GMRS and helping others across the country to get their repeaters on-line.

 

Yes, Randy has the distinction of having -- of not the oldest -- then one of the oldest licenses: KAA8142. Interesting factoid, this format is identical to the old Class D CB license, such as mine from the early sixties: KQI2403.

 

If anyone is truly interested, here is Randy's letter to the FCC. There is a lot of history revealed within it. 

https://www.nsea.com/fcc/Comments%20MD%2020-270.pdf

 

http://www.nsea.com is the website for the NSEA.

[mbrun]

Nice job Randy!!! Thanks for the wonderful comments on behalf of the GMRS community.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[jc1240]

Well gee I wonder if they will be sending back half the money for folks that got their licenses in the last 12 months.

 

Doubt it.  When they went from 5 to 10 year licenses, they didn't automatically extend the existing 5-year licenses.  

[MacJack]

So true... the Fed's are your worst neighbor and only think of themselves.  

Doubt it.  When they went from 5 to 10 year licenses, they didn't automatically extend the existing 5-year licenses.  

[dwmitchell61]

So true... the Fed's are your worst neighbor and only think of themselves.  

One word.... FIGURES! LoL... Probably change for the worse in the next ten years.

 

BTW, studying for my Tech exam, and I guess they are going to charge fees for licensing in the amateur arena... Ugh!

[ColoradoJohn]

Brand new here.  I registered on the 5th and it is still $70.  I had no choice as I need the radios for a trip next week.

[WRKK309]

Same as above 70.00 this week.

[mbrun]

I expect the fee will remain at $70 until they issue another document that includes the date the new values go into affect.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[stevemiller000]

For all of you who are due to renew soon .... In accordance with Murphy's Law the fee reduction will take effect the day after you renew.

[MacJack]

O yes SteveM, and add if you wait and it expires you will get new call sign.  

For all of you who are due to renew soon .... In accordance with Murphy's Law the fee reduction will take effect the day after you renew.

[railfandanny]

When does this reduction to $35 take effect?

 

I just applied for a new license on January 14, 2021 and the fee was $70.

 

I tried to renew my old license, which had lapsed several years, but could not figure out the waivers involved so I just got a new one.

 

Thanks,

 

Danny Harmon

[MacJack]

Welcome to the $70 Club who purchased at FCC current price and before the discount.  I paid $70 end of Nov.  The word on the street is 60 to 90 days from end of year as FCC published for public comments before turning on the switch to change price.  

Jack

[jc1240]

I've heard from hams that congress must approve the fee.  Lord knows when they'll get around to that if true.

[mbrun]

I was thrilled with the price dropped to $70 ($7 avg/yr) considering that on my two prior renewals is was $90+ ($18+ avg/yr). So the new fee of $35 ($3.50 avg/yr) is a steel. Even at $70, is it far better than what it was.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[n4gix]

I tried to renew my old license, which had lapsed several years, but could not figure out the waivers involved so I just got a new one.

That would have been expensive. Trying to obtain waivers would cost >$200 and would almost certainly be denied in the final decision.

[mcallahan]

Welcome to the $70 Club who purchased at FCC current price and before the discount.  I paid $70 end of Nov.  The word on the street is 60 to 90 days from end of year as FCC published for public comments before turning on the switch to change price.  

Jack

 

Ha - I purchased a GMRS license for $90, valid for 5 years, just before they extended it to 10 years!

[jc1240]

Ha - I purchased a GMRS license for $90, valid for 5 years, just before they extended it to 10 years!

 

FCC should have automatically extended all GMRS 5-years licenses by another 5 years.  I know I know...government.  

[mainehazmt]

The government giveth and the government taketh away. Esp $$$$   And the present administration is going to need the $$$.  I hate to relearn call signs so I know they will get 70 out of me by feb 22.  Has happened on all licenses. 90 first 5 years 70 for 5 prob going to be 70 for 10.  After that I might go rogue.  Alzheimer's could be a good excuse by then....

[PegasusR7]

Still remember my CB call sign from the 1970's. KBST3418

 

I've known Randy for quite awhile now, having been an active member of the NSEA for the past six years. Randy also put up the very first GMRS repeater in the nation, and was very instrumental in promoting GMRS and helping others across the country to get their repeaters on-line.

 

Yes, Randy has the distinction of having -- of not the oldest -- then one of the oldest licenses: KAA8142. Interesting factoid, this format is identical to the old Class D CB license, such as mine from the early sixties: KQI2403.

 

If anyone is truly interested, here is Randy's letter to the FCC. There is a lot of history revealed within it. 

https://www.nsea.com/fcc/Comments%20MD%2020-270.pdf

 

http://www.nsea.com is the website for the NSEA.

[AdmiralCochrane]

KAIX3715