[SFDXA] FCC to reinstate Morse Code test*

[LaVant Morell]

That would be nice, but what day is it?  April fools day :)


On 4/1/2015 4:20 PM, Bill wrote:
> FCC to reinstate Morse Code test*
>
> *April 1, 2015*
> *Washington, D.C. - April 1, 2015 - Today, the Federal Communications 
> Commission (Commission or FCC) approved Report and Order 14- 987 which 
> reinstates the Morse Code test for General Class and Amateur Extra 
> Class licensees.
>
> "It was a big mistake eliminating the Morse Code test," admits Dotty 
> Dasher, the FCC's director of examinations. "We now realize that being 
> able to send and receive Morse Code is an essential skill for radio 
> amateurs. As they say, it really does get through when other modes 
> can't."*
>
> *Not only will new applicants have to take the test, but General Class 
> licensees who have never passed a code test will have one year to pass a
> 5-wpm code test. Similarly, Amateur Extra class licensees that never 
> passed a code test will have one year to pass a 13-wpm test. Those
> amateurs that fail to pass the test will face revocation of their 
> operating privileges. Materials for administering the examinations 
> will be distributed to Volunteer Examiner Coordinators by the end of 
> April, so that they can begin the testing on May 1, 2015.*
>
> *"This isn't going to be one of those silly multiple-choice type 
> tests," noted Dasher. "We're going to be sending five-character random 
> code
> groups, just like we did in the old days. And, applicants will have to 
> prove that they can send, too, using a poorly adjusted straight key."*
>
> *Technician Class licensees will not be required to take a Morse Code 
> test, nor will a test be required for new applicants. "We discussed it,"
> said Dasher, "but decided that since most Techs can't even figure out 
> how to program their HTs, requiring them to learn Morse Code seemed like
> cruel and unusual punishment."
>
> *When asked what other actions we might see from the FCC, Dasher 
> hinted that in the future applicants taking the written exam may be 
> required to draw circuit diagrams, such as Colpitts oscillators and 
> diode ring mixers, once again. "We're beginning to think that if an 
> applicant passes an amateur radio license exam it should mean that he 
> or she actually knows something," she said.*
>
> *For further information, contact James X. Shorts, Assistant Liaison 
> to the Deputy Chief of Public Relations for the FCC .*
>
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