SB QST @ ARL $ARLB016
ARLB016 League Files Partial Reconsideration Petition on Restructuring

ZCZC AG16
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 16  ARLB016
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  March 16, 2000
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB016
ARLB016 League Files Partial Reconsideration Petition on Restructuring

The ARRL has formally asked the FCC to reconsider and modify two
aspects of its December 30, 1999, Report and Order that restructured
the Amateur Radio rules. The League wants the FCC to continue to
maintain records that indicate whether a Technician licensee has
Morse code element credit. It also seeks permanent Morse element
credit for any Amateur Radio applicant who has ever passed an
FCC-recognized Morse exam of at least 5 WPM.

The League filed a Petition for Partial Reconsideration in the WT
Docket 98-143 proceeding on March 13.

The League suggested that it would be less of an administrative
burden for the FCC to maintain the Technician database as it has
been doing. The database now identifies Technician and Tech Plus
licensees by encoding the records with a ''T'' or a ''P'' respectively.
The ARRL also said the inability to identify those Technicians that
have HF privileges and those who do not could hamper voluntary
enforcement efforts. It further suggested it would be wrong to put
the burden of proof of having passed the Morse examination on
licensees.

The League cited the demands of fairness in asking the FCC to afford
Morse element credit to all applicants who have ever passed an
FCC-recognized 5 WPM code exam. The rules already grant Element 1
credit to those holding an expired or unexpired FCC-issued Novice
license or an expired or unexpired Technician Class operator license
document granted before February 14, 1991. It also grants Element 1
credit to applicants possessing an FCC-issued commercial
radiotelegraph operator license or permit that's valid or expired
less than 5 years.

The League has asked the FCC to ''conform the rules'' to give similar
credit to those who once held General, Advanced or Amateur Extra
class licenses.
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