SB QST @ ARL $ARLB097
ARLB097 Morse speed change denied

ZCZC AG64
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 97  ARLB097
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  October 20, 1995
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB097
ARLB097 Morse speed change denied

The FCC has denied three requests to lower the Morse code
requirement for the General Class Amateur Radio operator license.

The requests, in the form of letters, came from three
Technician-Plus class licensees.  All three asked that the 13 wpm
Morse code requirement for the General Class license be lowered to 5
wpm.  Two of them also asked that the Technician-Plus operator
license class be eliminated and that holders of Technician-Plus
licenses be granted General Class operator privileges.

In an Order released October 19, 1995, the FCC said ''The current
amateur service license structure and examination requirements were
developed in accordance with the expressed desires of the amateur
service community through numerous rule making proceedings that
generated many thousands of comments.

''The amateur service community indicated on each occasion that it
strongly desires to preserve communications by telegraphy.  After
considering the views expressed in those proceedings, the Commission
adopted the rules that are codified in Part 97'' (of the FCC Rules).

''The requesters have not presented sufficient evidence to justify
revisiting these matters at this time,'' the FCC said.
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