Post by va3css on Feb 28, 2005 15:17:16 GMT -5
Canadian Amateurs have had the opportunity to be part of the group that supports their hobby most: Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC). Being the equivalent of the ARRL in focus, RAC benefitted Hams in many ways.
Over the years, the membership fees have changed, of course, but they always stayed reasonable enough to be something we all should do. Until recently, the fees were $39.95 for a year, which included a membership to their The Canadian Amateur magazine for that year. 12 monthly issues in addition to your RAC membership.
Well now, there's a multi-level fee structure for memberships, and of course, the fees are up also.
For the same membership and magazine, you'll now pay $49.95. Their website makes sure to mention that this also includes the $44.95 subscription fee to The Canadian Amateur for a year. But that would mean that RAC membership alone should be $5 per year, right?
WRONG!
So, then, it's actually the TCA magazine that costs the $5 then??
About the only thing good about their membership changes is that they have a "family" membership. If one family member pays the normal fee, other family members can join for only $20, but you only get one copy of TCA magazine that you'll have to share. But the catch is, for this to apply, one family member has to get that $49.95 RAC + TCA membership. This plan doesn't apply if you get any other membership type.
Of course, the prices don't include the Federal tax of 7%. And since RAC is based in Ontario, as am I, they also get another 8% tax for the Provincial government.
Now, I'm not one to recommend not supporting those who support us, but this is more money than I have right now. Especially when you add in the other fee changes that have happened in our communities, and membership to a local club, (if you so choose).
It's hard to justify this fee, but the truth is the majority of Canadian Hams are not RAC members. This means that the few that are have to carry the weight, and these changes are a reflection of that.
Are these good changes? Well... we'll soon find out, as the current RAC members come up for renewal.
Over the years, the membership fees have changed, of course, but they always stayed reasonable enough to be something we all should do. Until recently, the fees were $39.95 for a year, which included a membership to their The Canadian Amateur magazine for that year. 12 monthly issues in addition to your RAC membership.
Well now, there's a multi-level fee structure for memberships, and of course, the fees are up also.
For the same membership and magazine, you'll now pay $49.95. Their website makes sure to mention that this also includes the $44.95 subscription fee to The Canadian Amateur for a year. But that would mean that RAC membership alone should be $5 per year, right?
WRONG!
1 year RAC membership only; no subscription to TCA @ $44.95
So, then, it's actually the TCA magazine that costs the $5 then??
1 year TCA subscription; no membership to RAC @ $44.95
About the only thing good about their membership changes is that they have a "family" membership. If one family member pays the normal fee, other family members can join for only $20, but you only get one copy of TCA magazine that you'll have to share. But the catch is, for this to apply, one family member has to get that $49.95 RAC + TCA membership. This plan doesn't apply if you get any other membership type.
Of course, the prices don't include the Federal tax of 7%. And since RAC is based in Ontario, as am I, they also get another 8% tax for the Provincial government.
Now, I'm not one to recommend not supporting those who support us, but this is more money than I have right now. Especially when you add in the other fee changes that have happened in our communities, and membership to a local club, (if you so choose).
It's hard to justify this fee, but the truth is the majority of Canadian Hams are not RAC members. This means that the few that are have to carry the weight, and these changes are a reflection of that.
Are these good changes? Well... we'll soon find out, as the current RAC members come up for renewal.
