FCC Morse code decision would not affect CW subbands, privileges
Any FCC decision to eliminate the 5 WPM Morse code requirement for HF access would have no
impact on either the current HF CW subbands or on the CW privileges of Amateur Radio licensees.
The FCC is currently accepting comments on its Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order
(NPRM&O) in WT Docket 05-235, released July 19, which proposes to do away with the 5 WPM
Morse code requirement for all license classes. "There seems to be a lot of confusion on these
points, judging by the questions I've been getting," said John Hennessee, N1KB, of the ARRL
Regulatory Information Branch. He emphasizes that the proceeding does not put forward or
recommend any changes in CW allocations or privileges. He further notes that the FCC also has
not proposed to extend HF privileges to current Technician licensees who have not passed a Morse
code examination. The Commission's NPRM&O suggests that in a no-Morse-requirement regime,
such Technician licensees would be able to gain HF access by taking the Element 3 General class
written examination. To file on-line comments on the FCC NPRM&O in WT Docket 05-235 or to
view others' comments in the proceeding, visit the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).
An FCC Report and Order in this proceeding is not likely until early 2006.
Higher Amateur Radio vanity call sign application fee now in effect
The application fee for an Amateur Radio vanity call sign rose to $21.90 effective for applications received
on or after Tuesday, August 23. The FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) released a new
Fee Filing Guide this week spelling out fees for services it regulates. In a Report and Order and Order On Reconsideration (R&O) in the assessment and collection of regulatory fees for fiscal years 2004 and 2005
released July 7, the FCC raised the vanity application fee for FY 2005 from $20.80 to $21.90 for the
10-year license term. The FCC said it had adjusted FY 2004 "payment units" for each service to better
reflect expected FY 2005 payment liabilities. The fee went up from $16.30 to $20.80 a year ago.
A reevaluation in the number of anticipated vanity call sign applications--or "payment units"--accounts for
this latest fee hike. The FCC says it anticipates 7600 vanity applications--up only slightly from a year
earlier. More information on vanity call signs is available on the ARRL Web site
http://www.arrl.org
Powerful Solar Flare Disrupts HF Communication
One of the largest solar flares on record occurred today (Sep 7) as a very active solar region 808
produced a powerful X17.1 flare--a "severe" or R4 event on NOAA's R1 to R5 scale. NOAA's GOES-12
satellite observed the flare at 1740 UTC. R4 events typically occur about eight times during each
11-year solar cycle, and today's was the fourth largest in 15 years.
ARRL included in 2005 Combined Federal Campaign
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) has informed ARRL that the League has been deemed eligible
]for inclusion in the 2005 CFC National/International list. This means federal government civilian
employees, postal and military donors can designate their CFC pledges to the ARRL during the campaign
season, September 1 to December 15. The League’s CFC donor code is 9872. Federal employees who
participate in the CFC can donate all or part of their CFC contribution to the League to support ARRL's
efforts on behalf of Amateur Radio. Some private-sector employers also match donations their employees
make to ARRL, while others will donate to the League if you volunteer your time--as an Amateur Radio
Emergency Service (ARES) volunteer, for example. To learn how to donate to various ARRL funds, visit
the Support Amateur Radio and ARRL Web page. For additional information, contact ARRL Chief
Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, mhobart@arrl.org; 860-594-0397; fax 860-594-0259.
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