
	The award-winning monthly publication of The Baltimore Radio Amateur Television Society P.O.Box 5915 Baltimore, MD 21282-5915

December, 2005

BARC VE Exams for 2006 Scheduled ... See Page 10

White House Nominates New FCC Commissioner, Copps Tapped for New Term

President George W. Bush has nominated Deborah T. Tate of Tennessee, a Republican, to serve out the remainder of the term of former FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell, which expires June 30, 2007. Powell announced his resignation one day into President Bush's second term, and he departed the FCC last March. Under FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin, a Republican who succeeded Powell, the FCC has been operating with four members ever since. The White House this week also reappointed Commissioner Michael J. Copps, a Democrat, for a new five-year term, starting last July 1. Both appointments are subject to US Senate confirmation.

Vanity Processing Could Be on Hiatus Until Late December

Thanks to Hurricane Wilma, the FCC likely will not be processing any vanity call sign applications until late December. The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) halted vanity processing on or about September 23 after realizing that filing and regulatory deadline extensions for licensees in certain states affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita could affect the vanity program. This week, the FCC announced an additional extension--until December 22--for licensees adversely affected by Hurricane Wilma. Because all three extensions apply to Amateur Radio's two-year "grace period," they could have an impact on vanity call sign processing. A WTB spokesperson said that the Wilma deadline extension probably would have the same effect on vanity processing as the previous two.

ARRL invites Amateur Radio disaster volunteers to log their service

The ARRL is asking Amateur Radio volunteers who helped to provide or support communication during one of the recent hurricanes or other incident. An Amateur Radio Service Volunteer Form now is available on the ARRL Web site. The League is asking radio amateurs to complete the form each time they complete volunteer service. "Your commitment and dedication to using ham radio in community service send a strong message that volunteer radio operators are essential to a successful response to any disaster," said ARRL COO Harold Kramer, WJ1B. "The details of your service strengthen Amateur Radio and its voice in official Washington, to the public and to the press. When we can document the thousands of hours you serve, we can use the information to build a strong case for radio spectrum protection at home and abroad." The on-line form includes a "Your Comments" box to ask questions or to supply additional information. The ARRL will use the information provided for internal purposes only and will not share any individual's information with any other organization.

Happy Holiday Season!

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