[AMRadio] AMRadio Digest, Vol 197, Issue 4

[Rob Atkinson]

Hams have not paid a cent for a license for over 40 years and they've
gotten used to that.  So the free ride may be ending.  The only
problem is that it's $50 all at once.  If they had folks pay $5 every
year no one would ever piss and moan or even notice it.   Also, this
isn't like state and federal congresses and income tax.  It's not like
a tax and in the past, fees like this have gone down if FCC decides
they can get by without it.   My complaint is that I don't think the
money will be used by FCC.  They should be able to use the fees to
fund enforcement, and a return to them administering the license exams
and aggressive product RFI enforcement.  Imagine the howling if they
charged $50 non-refundable just to take an examination.

73
Rob
K5UJ