SB QST @ ARL $ARLB075
ARLB075 ARRL Board meets

ZCZC AG55
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 75  ARLB075
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  October 29, 1996
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB075
ARLB075 ARRL Board meets

The ARRL Board of Directors met in special session October 24 and
26, 1996, at Windsor Locks, Connecticut.  The following is a summary
of major Board actions.

The League will seek an extension of the compliance date, currently
set for January 1, 1997, of new RF safety regulations released in ET
Docket 93-62, to January 1, 1998, allowing more time for drafting of
acceptable implementation guidelines.

Responding to the continuing problem of minimal FCC enforcement
activity, the ARRL will petition the FCC to create procedures to
allow submission of private sector complaints of serious rule
violations directly to the FCC's Chief Administrative Law Judge,
hurdling bureau processing delays.

ARRL President Rodney Stafford, KB6ZV, was authorized to sign a
formal agreement with the National Frequency Coordinators' Council,
effecting the so-called single point of contact concept.

The ARRL will petition the FCC for a relaxation of the rules
governing the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service to permit
stations operating under RACES to communicate with non-RACES amateur
stations actively engaged in an emergency or drill. An increase in
the time limit on RACES drills to five hours per week will also be
sought.

In view of the congressional mandate imposed on the FCC to auction
the 2305-2320 MHz band for commercial purposes, ARRL will seek an
increase in the amateur service allocation status, from secondary to
primary, in the 2300-2305 MHz segment.

The Board adopted revised legislative positions for the 105th
Congress.

The Board's WRC-99  planning committee will study an ARRL Industry
Advisory Council recommendation to extend HF digital privileges to
Novice and Technician Plus licensees and report back to the Board.

Effective July 1, 1997, ARRL dues of Full and Associate Members will
increase to 34 dollars annually. The senior dues rate will be
increased to 28 dollars.

The Board declared the theme of the 1997 ARRL National Convention in
Jacksonville, Florida, to be Public Service. The Board also declared
1997 as the ARRL Year of Public Service, in recognition of the
critical importance of public service activities in the amateur
community.

The Board commended retiring West Gulf Division Director Tom
Comstock, N5TC, for his long-time dedication and service to the
ARRL.

Details will appear in January QST.
NNNN
/EX