FCC Rule Change

[DaveInDenver]

The full FCC document:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269012A1.pdf

Basically, they ruled on WT Docket 05-235 regarding Morse Code. It seems they have dropped it as a requirement completely.

[TACODOC]

The FCC announced on Friday, December 15, 2006, that it has adopted a Report and Order eliminating the Morse code exam requirement for all ham radio licenses. They have not yet specified an effective date for this change, but it will likely be sometime in February, 2007.



If you haven’t upgraded to General or Extra yet, "I can't learn Morse code," is no longer a valid excuse. So, start studying now! You’re going to love HF, talking all around the world, chasing rare DX stations. If you already have your Extra license, please forward this message to a friend.



73,

K1RV and W1AI, the HamTestOnline™ team





The HamTestOnline™ website is the fastest and easiest way to prepare for the ham radio written exams. We absolutely guarantee that you will pass. Visit http://www.hamtestonline.com for details."



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

[pskhaat]

I'm confused if that still means that Extra/General is required for HF? There is an ambiguous statement in the ruling that now combines the grandfathered Tech Plus into simply Tech, or the other way around Tech == Tech+ which means Tech's have limited HF availability?

Dave, what say you?

[Ursidae69]

One of my goals in 2007 is to get the general license and buy my first HF radio. DXing has always appealed to me.

[DaveInDenver]

I'm confused if that still means that Extra/General is required for HF? There is an ambiguous statement in the ruling that now combines the grandfathered Tech Plus into simply Tech, or the other way around Tech == Tech+ which means Tech's have limited HF availability?

Dave, what say you?
Yes, effectively what the FCC has done is dropped the Element 1 test from all license tests. You still have to take the regular Element 2, 3 and 4 exams to get the licenses. Tech Plus had limited 10m privledges, but I think otherwise was identical to no-Code Tech. Yeah Scott, I think what's happened is that Tech Plus is eliminated and gone is the 28MHz limited exception when you pass Element 1 (Code) and Element 2 (Tech). So to get any legal HF you have to pass the General (Element 3) test now.

[pskhaat]

Too bad, I was really hoping to get some 10 meter HF. :|

[asteffes]

Time to upgrade! I knew this day would come.

[k6uk]

You guys do get 10M HF privledges:

Our action today giving Technician class licensees the same privileges as Technician Plus class licensees does effectively provide some of the relief ARRL seeks because Technician class licensees now have voice and digital privileges in the 10 meter HF band," the FCC said.

So welcome!!!

73,

Mike

[pskhaat]

I'm reading the same thing, here's one interpretation:



Also noted is the unification of the Technician and Technician Plus licensing structure and grandfathers all Technician licensees without code privileges and grants them the access on all frequencies above 30 MHz and the 4 HF bands (10, 15, 40, and 80 meters).
The revisions issued late today also address changes requested by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL (http://www.arrl.org/)) that deal with narrowband digital stations. The FCC (http://www.fcc.gov/) said it would carve out the segments of the 80 meter band with respect to these stations.
Because the FCC issued just a press release and not the actual R&O, specifics of the changes and actual privileges allocated for voice, digital, and CW on the HF bands is unclear. While Technician Plus licensees are given HF privileges, they are currently allowed only CW on 15, 40, and 80 meters. Changes to the current bandplan (http://www.dxer.com/bandplan.html) are not specified in this press release.


Which means my quad-band 10m inclusion radio just got a whole 'lot better for me...I think?

[asteffes]

So, Yaesu FT-857D or Icom 706MkII-G? :jump: I'm a total Kenwood snob, and very anti-Icom (based on miserable personal experience with their 2720H. It wasn't a dud or anything... it worked as designed. Which was the problem.)

Anyone play with the FT-817ND?

[pskhaat]

So, Yaesu FT-857D

Actually, the Yaesu FT-8900R :ylsmoke:

[asteffes]

Actually, the Yaesu FT-8900R :ylsmoke:

Oh I meant for me. :D The Kenwood dual-banders are great but I don't like the huge display of their HF-capable mobiles. The Yaesu looks like a convenient size, and I've liked the Yaesu UIs I've fiddled with in the past.

[pskhaat]

Gotcha. Yeah teh 817 looks cool especially with it's dual-mobile mode (like take it out and go climb a mountain thing).

I've never seen it in action. Depending on the FCC outcome in 07, I may upgrade to an HF box, as the 8900 may be a little more desirable then too. The 8900 only does FM on 10m though...

[PCRover]

I like the Yaesu FT-857D myself. I have a FT100 currently. The Yaesu's look, feel and sound much better to me that the Icom stuff.


So, Yaesu FT-857D or Icom 706MkII-G? :jump: I'm a total Kenwood snob, and very anti-Icom (based on miserable personal experience with their 2720H. It wasn't a dud or anything... it worked as designed. Which was the problem.)

Anyone play with the FT-817ND?

[hinoranger]

So, my technican's license is expepired and I'd be hard pressed to pass the morse code exam again personally, but-- jesus, who let all the riff-raff into the room? there's a coloured one over there- and another with spots.....

If I had my way- I don't know what I'd do.

apologies to the pink floyd, et al.

[k6uk]

The Yaesu is the better deal, it's a more modern radio.
The only downside is that it is very menu driven and you have to drill down to set everything. But the price is great - nothing touches it for $680 bucks including the remote kit. The 897D is nice too, if you're not so interested in a mobile rig & will run off internal batteries. (Internally it's exactly the same as the 857D)



-Mike

[asteffes]

How good are these mobile HF rigs for 2m/440 repeater use? Total overkill? Are they a pain to deal with as replacements for dual banders?

[PCRover]

I don't find them any more difficult to operate than a standard dual bander, but then I have been using radios for many a year.

Unless you are really planning on using the lower frequencies, I would stick with a more conventional 145/440 radio. The lower freq's can be fun, but there are times when the bands are dead and it is nothing but noise.

I suggest you find a dealer or someone with a multibander and play with it before you commit either way.



How good are these mobile HF rigs for 2m/440 repeater use? Total overkill? Are they a pain to deal with as replacements for dual banders?