How much $$$ does it cost to get licensed frequencies or radios?

[altec]

I scan many different systems on a scanner. From trunked to conventional repeater channels. Was wondering in general how much it cost to be on the airwaves. I'm sure just one licensed frequency/channel cost a lot. Not sure if its by the month or year cost.
Then there are rental radios like SMR trunked radios. I'm just curious on how much it cost in general for them to chitchit on the licensed airwaves.

It ranges from simple GMRS all the way up to fancy dancy systems. Not looking for a specific price just a price range in general. Thanks, Altec.

 

[petey_racer]

I think it depends on what you want to do.

GMRS is $85 for five years for ALL of your immediate family. This is rumored to come down soon if not removed entirely.

Commercial/business bands you can ONLY talk commercial or business traffic, although we all know there is quite a bit of personal chat going on between co-workers. Not really a big deal.
You can get licensed for your own frequency or you can rent repeater air time from a commercial radio system for each unit you have.

Amateur is amateur. $20-$200,000, but only $14 for the test & license.

 

[prcguy]

I've had recent quotes between $650 and $800 to coordinate and license a few conventional UHF business frequencies.
prcguy

 

[AlmostHandy]

haha! I would love to fool around in a $200,000 ham shack!!

 

[zz0468]

haha! I would love to fool around in a $200,000 ham shack!!

That's what eBay is for. Let's see... HP vector network analyzer, $120K new. HP service monitor, $50K new. HP Spectrum analyzer, 18 GHz... $30K new. HP 24 GHz freq counter, $15K new.

I could go on. Trust me... I paid a LOT less than new. It's doable. It really is...

 

[hotdjdave]

Well, to get my official FCC radio license (K9DJW), it cost me about $15 for a book to study for the exam and free to take the exam (although, some VEC may charge a small fee).


I also believe that FRS is free - no license required.

FRS Frequencies:

Channel (MHz)
1. 462.5625
2. 462.5875
3. 462.6125
4. 462.6375
5. 462.6625
6. 462.6875
7. 462.7125
8. 467.5625
9. 467.5875
10. 467.6125
11. 467.6375
12. 467.6625
13. 467.6875
14. 467.7125

 

[petey_racer]

haha! I would love to fool around in a $200,000 ham shack!!

Well then you would love to meet this guy. He has that probably in one antenna!

http://fp8.adhost.com/icomamerica/Amateur/IRN/V5/IRN_5_full.wmv

 

[N4DES]

I scan many different systems on a scanner. From trunked to conventional repeater channels. Was wondering in general how much it cost to be on the airwaves. I'm sure just one licensed frequency/channel cost a lot. Not sure if its by the month or year cost.
Then there are rental radios like SMR trunked radios. I'm just curious on how much it cost in general for them to chitchit on the licensed airwaves.

It ranges from simple GMRS all the way up to fancy dancy systems. Not looking for a specific price just a price range in general. Thanks, Altec.

This is what APCO charges to Public Safety agencies for their services:

http://www.apcointl.org/frequency/documents/FeeListBrochure1-03a.pdf

When I did 813a in 99/2000 it was around $15K for everything except the microwave licenses.