Last Modified: 10 March 2005

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March 2005 Newsletter

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In the News from the ARRL Web site


FCC Morse, restructuring proposals could hit the street by mid-year (Feb 28, 2005) -- The FCC continues to work toward developing a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that will spell out what the Commission has in mind with respect to possible changes in the current Morse code requirement and Amateur Radio licensing. A total of 18 petitions have been filed, including one from the ARRL, seeking Part 97 rule changes addressing the future of the 5 WPM Morse requirement (Element 1) and revisions to the overall Amateur Radio licensing structure. The FCC plans to tackle all 18 in a single proceeding. As far as the code issue is concerned, petitions--and comments in response to them--run the gamut from retaining or even beefing up the Morse requirement to eliminating it altogether. (The ARRL's proposal would retain the 5 WPM Morse examination for Amateur Extra class applicants only.)

The League and others have also put forth proposals for a new entry-level Amateur Radio license class. At this point, personnel in the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau are continuing to review the thousands of comments filed on the 18 petitions. While the FCC appears unlikely to release an NPRM any sooner than mid-year, the issue still may be a major discussion topic at the FCC Forum at

Dayton Hamvention, May 20-22. Once public, the NPRM would initiate another round of comments on what the FCC has proposed. It could be late 2006 or even into 2007 before the FCC releases a Report and Order to implement any new rules, although it's possible the Commission could wrap up the proceeding before that time frame.
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