[W2CRA] FCC R&O 14-987af

[William Powell]

Of course it is an April Fool!

>On Friday, April 1, 2016, 3:58 PM, William Powell <whp at att.net> wrote:Washington, D.C. – April 1, 2016 – Today, 
>the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) approved Report and
>Order 14-987af 
Year: 14
af april fool at the end

>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,
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, 2016.

>“This isn’t going to be one of those silly multiple-choice type tests,” noted Dasher.
"Silly?"

> “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.”
"poorly adjusted?

>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.”
this from the FCC?

>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.
???


Bill - WB1GOT