Elecrafters:
I realize that this issue has been visited before, but this message is
more a call to action than simply venting a complaint.
FCC Notice 05-235 has come out in the Federal Register and comments
are due by October 31.
There are a great many of us who would at least like to see a CW
requirement maintained for the Extra Class exam. There is a very
small (but real) chance that the FCC would do that if they are
provided with novel and compelling reasons. (Note: The traditional
arguments, such as "Without the code test, ham radio will become
another Citizen's Band," are known to the FCC, and they are
unconvinced by them. We need to get the FCC to say, "Gee, we never
thought of that.") If you'd like to see some semblance of a code test
preserved, this is the time to think outside the box.
Will such comments assure that the FCC will change their minds? Maybe
not. However, the way for us to guarantee that the code requirement is
dropped for all classes is for us to do nothing.
In the spirit of participatory democracy, I urge all US list members
to file their comments, irrespective of their positions on the issue.
(I expect that the list members should get used to filing FCC
comments. There is worse on the way. The British government has
already floated a trial balloon to drop ham licensing altogether in
the UK. It is only a matter of time before the FCC tries to follow
their bad example.)
If you are unfamiliar with how to file, you can check out the Web site
of my local club:
www[dot]ks1r[dot]net
There I have posted an explanation of how to file and a copy of my
filing to serve as a template.
73,
Steve Kercel
AA4AK
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