| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
FCC Announces use-based fee system for ARS
August 12, 2004 06:11 PM EDT
Gettysburg, Pa (API) In a surprise announcement today, FCC Chairman Michael Powell released preliminary news of a new "user fee" based revenue system for amateur radio operators. "This exciting initiative, suggested by a leading amateur operator and jumpsuit model (photo at http://tinyurl.com/48krd), is designed to raise funds to subsidize the deployment of BPL service throughout America, but especially in disadvantaged places like Franklin County, Tennessee." Details of the plan are not complete, but the fee structure will be based on actual on-the-air use of amateur radio, and will be sensitive to the value of the communications in progress, according to the Chariman. "As an example, emergency communications during a hurricane would be billed at a higher rate than less valuable usage like the North Carolina Lumbago Net." Powell remarked. "Contesters would get special high volume discounts, since their communications simply repeat the same old stuff over and over all weekend long" he stated. Fees will also vary based on the particular mode in use, with CW being charged a premium rate because "it get's through when nothing else can". Video modes like SSTV, however, would command super-premium rates "because a picture is worth a thousand words" the Chairman said. In a related family announcement, Chairman Powell's father, Secretary of State Colin Powell, stated that the IARU would be contacted to ensure that foreign DX operators communicating with US stations would be assessed fees based on their 'rarity' on the DXCC "Most Wanted" listing. Secretary Powell cited an alleged operation from "T5" which he expected would owe "several tens of thousands of dollars" retroactively based on claims on an internet newsgroup by an operator with the screen name "Billy Beeper". Stay tuned for further details. Movie at 10. ---30--- |
That doesn't even make sense - if that is true. Charge MORE for Emergency
Services? That is one of the key reasons FOR Amateur Radio........ Something stinks there......... L. "KØHB" wrote in message link.net... August 12, 2004 06:11 PM EDT Gettysburg, Pa (API) In a surprise announcement today, FCC Chairman Michael Powell released preliminary news of a new "user fee" based revenue system for amateur radio operators. "This exciting initiative, suggested by a leading amateur operator and jumpsuit model (photo at http://tinyurl.com/48krd), is designed to raise funds to subsidize the deployment of BPL service throughout America, but especially in disadvantaged places like Franklin County, Tennessee." Details of the plan are not complete, but the fee structure will be based on actual on-the-air use of amateur radio, and will be sensitive to the value of the communications in progress, according to the Chariman. "As an example, emergency communications during a hurricane would be billed at a higher rate than less valuable usage like the North Carolina Lumbago Net." Powell remarked. "Contesters would get special high volume discounts, since their communications simply repeat the same old stuff over and over all weekend long" he stated. Fees will also vary based on the particular mode in use, with CW being charged a premium rate because "it get's through when nothing else can". Video modes like SSTV, however, would command super-premium rates "because a picture is worth a thousand words" the Chairman said. In a related family announcement, Chairman Powell's father, Secretary of State Colin Powell, stated that the IARU would be contacted to ensure that foreign DX operators communicating with US stations would be assessed fees based on their 'rarity' on the DXCC "Most Wanted" listing. Secretary Powell cited an alleged operation from "T5" which he expected would owe "several tens of thousands of dollars" retroactively based on claims on an internet newsgroup by an operator with the screen name "Billy Beeper". Stay tuned for further details. Movie at 10. ---30--- |
L. wrote:
That doesn't even make sense - if that is true. Charge MORE for Emergency Services? That is one of the key reasons FOR Amateur Radio........ Something stinks there......... You've just stumbled onto a little range war, L. That tinyurl link is the page of another Ham that suggested increased fees for licensing, and Hans is just being Hans. |
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
... L. wrote: That doesn't even make sense - if that is true. Charge MORE for Emergency Services? That is one of the key reasons FOR Amateur Radio........ Something stinks there......... You've just stumbled onto a little range war, L. That tinyurl link is the page of another Ham that suggested increased fees for licensing, and Hans is just being Hans. I kinda wondered about that! The whole thing made no sense. L. |
Mike Coslo wrote:
L. wrote: That doesn't even make sense - if that is true. Charge MORE for Emergency Services? That is one of the key reasons FOR Amateur Radio........ Something stinks there......... You've just stumbled onto a little range war, L. That tinyurl link is the page of another Ham that suggested increased fees for licensing, and Hans is just being Hans. I think Hans is, as usual, being very funny. This scenario reminds me of the Japanese ham who wrote to Hugh Cassidy, editor of the West Coast DX Bulletin years back, saying that he had been told that there were jokes in the Bulletin. He wondered if Cass could possibly point out some of the jokes. Dave K8MN Dave K8MN |
"Dave Heil" wrote This scenario reminds me of the Japanese ham who wrote to Hugh Cassidy, editor of the West Coast DX Bulletin years back, saying that he had been told that there were jokes in the Bulletin. He wondered if Cass could possibly point out some of the jokes. No jokes, only Eternal Enigmas and the Inevitable TruthsT. 73, de Hans, K0HB/4ID |
"KØHB" wrote in message link.net... August 12, 2004 06:11 PM EDT Gettysburg, Pa (API) In a surprise announcement today, FCC Chairman Michael Powell released preliminary news of a new "user fee" based revenue system for amateur radio operators. [...snip...] Stay tuned for further details. Movie at 10. ---30--- Cute! Too sad about his daughter, though. -- Steve N, K,9;d, c. i My email has no u's. |
"Steve Nosko" wrote Too sad about his daughter, though. Yes, we're not supposed to live long enough to bury our children. Gotta be a tough and heartbreaking thing to do. 73, de Hans, K0HB |
In .net (rec.radio.amateur.misc), "K?HB" wrote:
"Steve Nosko" wrote Too sad about his daughter, though. Yes, we're not supposed to live long enough to bury our children. Gotta be a tough and heartbreaking thing to do. Voice type="of experience" It is. /voice -- "Remember: every member of your 'target audience' also owns a broadcasting station. These 'targets' can shoot back." -- Michael Rathbun to advertisers, in nanae |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:43 AM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com