No More Code

[kd5drx]

Just got this today thought it might make a differance for some of you on the fence about getting your license.


The hammer dropped .... plus the ARRL did NOT get their request ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
December 15, 2006 Chelsea Fallon: (202) 418-7991

FCC MODIFIES AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE RULES,
ELIMINATING MORSE CODE EXAM REQUIREMENTS AND
ADDRESSING ARRL PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (Order) that modifies the rules for the Amateur Radio Service by revising the examination requirements for obtaining a General Class or Amateur Extra Class amateur radio operator license and revising the operating privileges for Technician Class licensees. In addition, the Order resolves a petition filed by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. (ARRL) for partial reconsideration of an FCC Order on amateur service rules released on October 10, 2006.

The current amateur service operator license structure contains three classes of amateur radio operator licenses: Technician Class, General Class, and Amateur Extra Class. General Class and Amateur Extra Class licensees are permitted to operate in Amateur bands below 30 MHz, while the introductory Technician Class licensees are only permitted to operate in bands above 30 MHz. Prior to today's action, the FCC, in accordance with international radio regulations, required applicants for General Class and Amateur Extra Class operator licenses to pass a five words-per-minute Morse code examination. Today's Order eliminates that requirement for General and Amateur Extra licensees. This change reflects revisions to international radio regulations made at the International Telecommunication Union's 2003 World Radio Conference (WRC-03), which authorized each country to determine whether to require that individuals demonstrate Morse code proficiency in order to qualify for an amateur radio license with transmitting privileges on frequencies below 30 MHz. This change eliminates an unnecessary regulatory burden that may discourage current amateur radio operators from advancing their skills and participating more fully in the benefits of amateur radio.

Today's Order also revises the operating privileges for Technician Class licensees by eliminating a disparity in the operating privileges for the Technician Class and Technician Plus Class licensees. Technician Class licensees are authorized operating privileges on all amateur frequencies above 30 MHz. The Technician Plus Class license, which is an operator license class that existed prior the FCC's simplification of the amateur license structure in 1999 and was grandfathered after that time, authorized operating privileges on all amateur frequencies above 30 MHz, as well as frequency segments in four HF bands (below 30 MHz) after the successful completion of a Morse code examination. With today's elimination of the Morse code exam requirements, the FCC concluded that the disparity between the operating privileges of Technician Class licensees and Technician Plus Class licensees should not be retained. Therefore, the FCC, in today's action, afforded Technician and Technician Plus licensees identical operating privileges.

Finally, today's Order resolved a petition filed by the ARRL for partial reconsideration of an FCC Order released on October 10, 2006 (FCC 06-149). In this Order, the FCC authorized amateur stations to transmit voice communications on additional frequencies in certain amateur service bands, including the 75 meter (m) band, which is authorized only for certain wideband voice and image communications. The ARRL argued that the 75 m band should not have been expanded below 3635 kHz, in order to protect automatically controlled digital stations operating in the 3620-3635 kHz portion of the 80 m band. The FCC concluded that these stations can be protected by providing alternate spectrum in the 3585-3600 kHz frequency segment.

Action by the Commission on December 15, 2006, by Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration. Chairman Martin and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell.

For additional information, contact William Cross at (202) 418-0691 or [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. .

WT Docket Nos. 04-140 and 05-235.

- FCC -

[Crankshaft]

Ok woohoo! Sorry I know theres good reason to learn the code... but that does help me for now!

[Truckin Juggalo]

Sweet if they drop code i am gonna get my ham license asap, all i have to do is figure out where they test at in the Harriman TN area

[kd5drx]

Go to this web site and look for test locations or hamfest schedules [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. they have every thing you need including the practice test.

[pro1driver]

years ago i thought i had heard that the code test wasn't required. maybe it was in the "talking stage". but i do remember that some avid "hammer's" were not to please about this and just about refuse(d) to talk with anyone not having the code............anyhow, i personally have no reason to have a ham radio. but for those of you who want one, have at it, and have fun...........

[Ledbetter]

I've been a ham since 1976 and I'm sorry to see the code dropped. I'm not active much now but it just sad to me that a communication medium may get lost in the future. Oh well, times do change and I guess the commitee for the WRC 2003 saw it was time for a change and the FCC was just following suit.

Most Hams in my area most likely will still encourage morce code to new comers cause they have been hams for years like me. They just don't have to make it part of the study time or in classroom instruction.

BTW; this new rule goes into effect 30 days after being put in the Federal Register. Right now that means no earlier than mid February, 2007. So if someone is studying for a test and that test is given b4 mid February, 2007, code will be part of the test, along with the written portion.

[Crankshaft]

I went to the eham website and have been reading the rants from the pro and anti code people. It all saddens me. I see merits on both sides of the arguement. Morse code doesnt define ham operation anymore, from what Ive seen, but keep in mind I have very limited knowledge here. Theres alot of other means and modes to communicate with. I think that the expert license should keep element 1, as being able to master every aspect of ham should be the requirement. My grandfather was raised around and worked the railroad all his life, and knew the code. I wished I had learned from him when I was young. Just because its not required any longer doesnt mean I wont learn it, just means Ill learn it as I can. The future of ham is in the balance right now. Theres a generation of users who lack the patience, or something, to learn the code, or even a drive to get into the hobby, and its important role in society. If you guys want it to survive, its got to change. I fear a backlash of old school users thumbing their noses up at the new operators. Get fresh blood into the program, and then work on bringing them into the other aspects of radio. Never know what some young computer geek will come up with. I havent had any luck becoming a member on eham.net, but wish all the hams would call a truce to this feud, and work on teaching the new crop of hams!

[tfisher63]

Crankshaft, I agree 100%.....new is not always bad, things do evolve. I hope the old school hams get on borad with the new regs. I think that hams are very valuable during emergencies and code or not, more is better. Alot of folks dont ahve the time to learn code, with longer work hours, family etc. I have been working on learning code, but just cant seem to find enough time. I will still work on it but I will take my technician test first so I can get started.

[MedicineMan]

my personal opinion is that it's a good move. I know a few years go when I looked into getting my license that is what kept me away at that time.
I know most the old timers like it. My father in law thought it was a necesity. I just don't see it that way I guess. I'l tell you though. that man was a morse code sending machine!!