[InHam] End of an Era: FCC to Drop Morse Testing for All Amateur License Classes

[Dan_K9ZF]

*Attention All Amateurs...*
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/12/15/104/?nc=1>*/End of an Era:/ 
FCC to Drop Morse Testing for /All /Amateur License Classes* (Dec 15, 
2006) -- In an historic move, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse code 
requirement for /all/ Amateur Radio license classes. The Commission 
today adopted a /Report and Order/ (/R&O/) in WT Docket 05-235. In a 
break from typical practice, the FCC only issued a public notice 
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269012A1.pdf> at 
or about the close of business and not the actual /Report & Order/, so 
some details -- including the effective date of the /R&O/ -- remain 
uncertain. Also today, the FCC also adopted an /Order on 
Reconsideration/, in WT Docket 04-140 -- the "omnibus" proceeding -- 
agreeing to modify the Amateur Radio rules in response to an ARRL 
request to accommodate automatically controlled narrowband digital 
stations on 80 meters in the wake of rule changes that became effective 
today at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. The Commission said it will carve out 
the 3585 to 3600 kHz frequency segment for such operations. Prior to the 
long-awaited action on the Morse code issue, Amateur Radio applicants 
for General and higher class licenses had to pass a 5 WPM Morse code 
test to operate on HF. The Commission said today's /R&O /eliminates that 
requirement for General and Amateur Extra applicants.
Full Story <http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/12/15/104/?nc=1>

See http://www.arrl.org    for more details

73
Dan
-- 
K9ZF /R no budget Rover ***QRP-l #1269 
Check out the Rover Resource Page at: <http://www.qsl.net/n9rla> 
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