[BCVHFA] FCC's FCC's Morse Code Report & Order Report & Order

[K8CM]

A number of folks have asked about the procedures that will be 
followed when the FCC's FCC's Morse Code Report & Order becomes 
effective.  The answer is below, direct from the ARRL/VEC.  If you 
hold a CSCE that is valid (not more than 365 days old) when the order 
becomes effective, you must go to a VEC examination session 
(ARRL/VEC, W5YI-VEC, etc) to have your paperwork processed.  You 
CANNOT transact directly with the FCC.

And, yes, you must pay the $14 fee merely to have the paperwork 
processed; coincidentally, though, you could plan to take an advanced 
element and, perhaps, walk out with the Extra.  BTW, the required fee 
is not "because the ARRL said so", it is because the FCC said so.

Keep in mind, at this point we do not know when the R&O will become effective.

==============================================================================================

FCC's Morse Code Report & Order


The FCC's 05-235 R&O on the Commission's proposal to eliminate the 
Morse code requirement for all license classes was issued on 
12/19/2006.  However, it does NOT go into effect until 30 days from 
the time it is printed in the "Federal Register".  The Federal 
Register Publication Date and the Effective Date are NOT yet 
known.  As soon as the R&O is published in the Federal Register the 
ARRL will verify the effective date and publicize it on the ARRL Web 
and in QST.

The FCC has clarified that there will be no changes in the 
administration of Amateur Radio examination elements or upgrades and 
in granting a Certificate for Successful Completion of Examination 
(CSCE).  CSCEs are only valid for examination credit for 365 days 
from date of issuance per FCC Rule 97.505(a)(6); applicants cannot 
use CSCEs older than that to upgrade.  Amateurs possessing CSCEs that 
have gone beyond the 365 day window must retest.  The FCC will not 
make any exceptions to this rule.  Volunteer Examiner Coordinators 
(VECs) will handle all upgrades through volunteer examiner teams.

Candidates for General or Amateur Extra testing between now and the 
effective date of the new rules will still have to pass Element 1 (5 
WPM Morse code) to obtain new privileges. Those earning Element 3 or 
Element 4 credit between now and the effective date of the new rules 
will receive a CSCE from the VE team.  Once the new rules are in 
place, anyone holding a valid CSCE may apply for an upgrade at a VE 
examination session.  As with any candidate who attends a test 
session, the candidate must present a photo ID, their current license 
and CSCE document, pay the $14 test session fee and fill out a NCVEC 
form 605 to have the upgrade paperwork processed.  The upgrade may 
NOT be sent directly to the FCC or the VEC.


Please visit the ARRL web for complete information on the 
<http://www.arrl.org/fcc/morse/>05-235 R&O and check back frequently 
for updates.

==========================================================================

73  <>  Carl