[MIham] WEAVER'S WORDS -- Suggestions for New, Gentlemen's Agreement

[Tom VanderMel]

> [To reply to this message:  k8je at arrl.org.  Do not click on reply to
> this message.  The ARRL reflector that sent it is outgoing, only.]
> 
> This issue is mainly intended to clarify the first topic discussed
> below.
> 
> - Suggestions for New Gentlemen's Agreements
> - Oops
> - Morse Code
> 
> SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENTS
> 
> In the last issue of my Words, I encouraged anyone wishing to
> contribute to the development of new band plans to read the item about
> this on ARRL.org and submit their comments.  I obviously failed to
> state the situation clearly.  The band plans I mentioned that are being
> developed will become the new, voluntary, "gentlemen's agreements" we
> amateurs follow to help us use FCC-defined bands effectively and
> fairly.  These agreements are in addition to the legal regulations
> established by the FCC.
> 
> The topic of which requirements the FCC should or shouldn't have
> established is a closed.  It became a closed topic with the close of
> the comment period for the NPRM that lead to the Report & Order earlier
> this month.  Like it or not, the topic of how our bands are divided by
> regulation into segments for CW, SSB, and some other modes has been
> engraved in stone unless the Commission finds a clerical error in the
> published Report & Order.
> 
> If you have suggestions on where DX windows, weak signal operation, QRP
> operation and other courtesy operating features should be placed on the
> new bands, send your suggestions to bandplan at www.arrl.org.  Please also
> address how the new rules will affect current operating activities on
> 80, 40 and 15 meters (see the current ARRL band plans,
> http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/bandplan.html, and an ARRL
> FAQ, http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/wt04-140/faq.html, which
> includes a chart showing the band changes).
> 
> Comments are needed by October 31.
> 
> OOPS!
> 
> I don't like to make mistakes, but I do.  When I make them, I like to
> "fess up" and correct them.  In my special note about the FCC Report
> and Order on amateur restructuring, I made two goofs.  First, the R&O
> becomes effective 30 days (not 60 days) after it is published in the
> Federal Register.  Second, when it issues a R&O on WTB Docket 05-235,
> we do not expect the FCC to drop code requirements from the Tech
> license - there are currently no code requirements to be dropped! 
> Finally, I made a grammatical error.  In attempting to be cute by using
> an old English work, I said FCC "spaketh."  Actually, as one member
> pointed out, I should have said FCC "spake."  I must have set a new
> record for errors!  Mea culpa.
> 
> MORSE CODE
> 
> Just to reiterate the point, we have absolutely no idea when the FCC
> will issue a R&O about changing Morse code testing requirements.  We
> hope it is very soon.
> 
> In their NPRM on the code, FCC proposed to drop testing requirements
> for all license classes.  ARRL (with my concurrence) requested the code
> requirement be maintained for the Extra Class license as part of making
> it something Extra.  We all wait.  I certainly hope it does not take
> FCC nearly as long to issue a R&O on the code requirements as it did on
> the "omnibus" restructuring order it finally released.
> 
> Incidentally, the restructuring R&O was released less than two weeks
> after ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, wrote a blunt letter to the
> Chairman of the Commission in which he strongly protested the greatly
> extended inaction of the Wireless bureau.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director
> Great Lakes Division, ARRL
> 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040
> Tel. 513-459-0142; E-mail k8je at arrl.org
> ARRL, the Reason Amateur Radio is!
> Members, the Reason ARRL is!
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> ARRL Great Lakes Division
> Director: James Weaver, K8JE
> k8je at arrl.org
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> This message is being sent to you via the ARRL Members Only Web site.
> If you do not want to receive further messages, go to the site at:
> http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html?modify=1
> Log in with your username and password and change your email options.
> Unchecking the "News and information from your Division Director and
> Section Manager" box will prevent messages such as this one from
> being sent to you.
> -- webmaster at arrl.org