The ARRL has told the FCC it has the power to waive fees on amateur radio applications and should do so. In comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that set up a new fee schedule for all licensed services, including a $50 fee for virtually all amateur applications, the League said Congress has never specified fees for amateur applications (except vanity calls) and that the FCC is authorized to waive fees if it would be in the public interest.
According to the ARRL Letter, the services provided by volunteer examiners, VE coordinators and the Volunteer Monitor program save the Commission money in ways that other services don't, in addition to amateur radio's longstanding role in providing emergency and disaster communications at no cost to taxpayers.
