[BCVHFA] FCC NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING - NO CODE!

[Ernie Howard]

ITS OUT!!!  (See links to the FCC document at the bottom of this email)

The FCC released its "Notice Of Proposed Rule Making" number 05-143. The 
"PROPOSAL" covers many of the topics discussed and petitioned in the last 
couple of years. REMEMBER THIS IS ONLY A FCC PROPOSAL out for comment.

The big proposed changes are summarized below:


1. Elimination of all morse code requirements. Only written exam elements 
will be required for all classes. Elements 2, 3 and 4 will have the same 
basic content. They don't envision much change in the question pools.

2. If you passed Technician before March 21, 1987 you may become a General. 
You will be given credit for passing element 3, the general element. It 
wasn't clear if it was automatic or if you had to apply.

3. With the above exception, if you are a Novice, Tech, Tech+ or Advanced, 
you will stay that class. You must take a written test to upgrade. For some 
reason they don't like upgrades without a test. They specifically state that 
they want you to test to upgrade. They consider that effort to be a small 
impact to the person wishing to upgrade.

4. Current 3 license structure says - Extra, General, Technician. Priviliges 
will be pretty much the same, but the discussion in the NPRM indicates 
expanded CW segments for Tech+ and Novice. They referenced the 'novice 
refarming petition' that has been out for a while.

5. The changes to the testing process were pretty much rejected. It will be 
up to the VEC and VE to decide if same session retests are allowed. They 
want to leave it as it is now.

It's pretty complicated to figure out all the details in the NPRM even after 
a couple of readings, so I hope that I got it right!

This NPRM will be open for comment for 60 days after publishing in the 
federal register, followed by 15 days for reply comments. It appears the 
earliest we will see any changes will be 1st quarter 2006. That's only my guess.


LINK TO FCC NPRM TEXT:

AMENDMENT OF PART 97 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES TO IMPLEMENT WRC-03
REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATOR LICENSES IN THE
AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE.   Revised the amateur service rules to eliminate
the telegraphy testing requirement. Seek comment on these proposed rule
changes. Rule changes proposed by some petitioners are unnecessary, or
being considered in the Phone Band Expansion NPRM. by Order. (Dkt No.
05-235). Action by:  the Commission. Adopted:  07/15/2005 by NPRM. (FCC
No. 05-143).  WTB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-143A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-143A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-143A1.txt>


Ernie W8EH


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