End of an era: FCC drops Morse code testing for amateurs

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

Quote:

NEWINGTON, CT, 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, but hasn't yet released, the long-awaited Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 05-235, the "Morse code" proceeding. Also today, the FCC adopted an Order on Reconsideration in WT Docket 04-140 -- the "omnibus" proceeding -- modifying 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 designate the 3585 to 3600 kHz frequency segment for such operations, although the segment will remain available for CW, RTTY and data as it has been. In a break from what's been the usual practice in Amateur Radio proceedings, the FCC only issued a public notice at or about the close of business today and not the actual Report & Order, so some details -- including the effective dates of the two orders -- remain uncertain. Currently, Amateur Radio applicants for General and higher class licenses have to pass a 5 WPM Morse code test to operate on HF. Today's R&O will eliminate that requirement all around.

"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," the FCC said. The ARRL had asked the FCC to retain the 5 WPM for Amateur Extra class applicants only. The FCC proposed earlier to drop the requirement across the board, however, and it held to that decision in today's R&O.

Perhaps more important, the FCC's action in WT Docket 05-235 appears to put all Technician licensees on an equal footing: Once the R&O goes into effect, holders of Technician class licenses will have equivalent HF privileges, whether or not they've passed the 5 WPM Element 1 Morse examination. The FCC said the R&O in the Morse code docket would eliminate a disparity in the operating privileges for the Technician and Technician Plus class licensees -- something the ARRL also has asked the Commission to correct following the release of its July 2005 Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket 05-235. (continued)

I guess it confirms that we really are in the 21st Century. Very Happy

Joined: Jun 11, 2004 Posts: 369

This is Stupid ..... with a CAPITAL S.

Haven't we ... in this world ... learned that even obsolete things HAVE a
place in our lives.

Mark my words ........ there WILL come a time when NEW technology will
fail us. We WILL have to "go back" to something less ..... high-tech.

Poking fun.......... BUT ....... Look at the MOVIE Independence Day ......
Had it NOT been for MORSE CODE, we would be TOAST.

In "Survival Training", you are TAUGHT to use Flint Rock to make a FIRE.
YES ....... it is OBSOLETE, but ..... IF you ain't got matches, OR a lighter,
AND it is dark outside.......... YOU will SURE wish you had that Flint Rock !!!

There are SO many things that WE ALMOST lost from PAST Civilizations...
Just because over time IT was decided that THEIR ways were OBSOLETE.
NOW ...........

When will WE stop being so ARGENT, in thinking OUR NEWER ways are
Superior and are FOOL PROOF ?
..
.