New FCC Application Fee will not Apply to Amateur Radio License Upgrades

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the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) staff has clarified in response to an ARRL request that the new $35 application fee will not apply to most license modifications, including those to upgrade amateur radio licensee's operator class and changes to club station trustees. The FCC staff explained that the new fees will apply only to applications for a new license, renewal, rule waiver, or a new vanity call sign. As previously announced, the new fees take effect on 19th April 2022.

“We are pleased that the FCC will not charge licensees the FCC application fee for license upgrade applications.

While applicants for a new license will need to pay the $35 FCC application fee, there will be no FCC charge for future upgrades and administrative updates, such as a change of mailing or email address. Most current licensees, therefore, will not be charged the new FCC application fee until they renew their license or apply for a new vanity call sign.”
— ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM

ARRL previously reported that the new $35 application fee for amateur radio licenses will become effective on 19th April 2022.

Further information and instructions about the FCC Application Fee are available from the ARRL VEC page - https://www.arrl.org/fcc-application-fee .


France Takes Action Against Radio Amateur

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France Takes Action Against Radio Amateur

A 65-year-old resident of La Falaise (Yvelines) was sentenced by the court of Versailles, Monday, March 28, 2022. This radio amateur has been targeted by several complaints from all over France for remarks he made on the air.

For several months, the defendant had made insulting remarks, including homophobic, explains the news site. The sexagenarian had also announced the false death of a man on Facebook. "People who knew me had even called the town hall where I live to find out when my funeral was," the victim told our colleagues.

The man, who had not taken care to hide his callsign, had been easily identified. He had been arrested for the first time by the gendarmes in December 2020, says the local media. His broadcast material, which was not declared, had been seized.

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Ofcom publishes Spectrum Roadmap

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Ofcom publishes Spectrum Roadmap

Ofcom has published its first Spectrum Roadmap, which sets out how they are preparing to ensure that everyone in the UK can benefit from the rapid advances in cutting-edge wireless technology

The radio spectrum is a finite and important resource of invisible waves that needs to be carefully managed so it can continue to deliver the wireless services we all need.

As new services emerge, demand for spectrum is growing. As a result, Ofcom is taking a strategic approach to ensure that these innovative new technologies can be embraced alongside existing services.

The roadmap highlights the work areas that Ofcom will focus on to ensure we deliver on our Spectrum Management strategy, which we set out in July 2021.

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