Fellow SBARC Members:

Some of you may have seen information about an FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which proposes to impose a $50 application fee for all transactions with the FCC Universal Licensing System. This would mean implementing a $50 fee to apply for and renew an amateur radio license. 

This will have a very serious chilling effect on our hobby and service if implemented. While $5/year may not seem like much for a 10-year license term, having to pay $50 (+ $15 for ARRL VE testing), could mean far fewer interest from new hams, especially younger prospects, and an inability for existing hams with fixed and low incomes to afford renewals.

I hope you will take a few moments to leave public comments on the FCC. Click the link below and then click the + Express link in the left sidebar to pre-fill the form with the correct docket number.

The FCC does listen to public comments. Taking a few moments now could mean the difference between preserving amateur radio well into the future or seeing its elimination in the near term.