‰  NOW 18 WPM transition file follows‰

The FCC is seeking comments on a Petition for Rule Making, RM 11760,
that asks the FCC to grant lifetime Amateur Radio licenses. Mark F.
Krotz, N7MK, of Mesa, Arizona, filed his request with the FCC last
November. He wants the FCC to revise Part 97.25 of its rules to
indicate that Amateur Radio licenses are granted for the holders
lifetime, instead of for the current 10 year term. Krotz noted that
the General Radiotelephone Operator License, or GROL, already is
issued on a lifetime basis, and he maintained that not having to
renew licenses would lighten the FCCs workload.  It would be
mutually beneficial for the FCC and Amateur Radio operators to
update Part 97 to grant operator licenses for lifetime, Krotz said
in his filing. The FCC would benefit by reducing administrative
costs.  In 2014 the FCC granted lifetime credit for examination
elements 3 and 4, but applicants seeking relicensing under that
provision still must pass examination element 2.  Individuals may
submit comments via the FCCs Electronic Comment Filing System.
Websites associated with this bulletin can be found in teleprinter,
packet and Internet versions.  Three new Section Managers and five
incumbent Section Managers will begin new terms in their respective
sections starting on April 1.  The results of three contested
elections in the winter election cycle were announced February 23,
after ballots were tallied at ARRL Headquarters.  In the Pacific
Section, Joe Speroni, AH0A, of Honolulu received 228 votes, to 103
for Kimberly Fendt, WH6KIM, of Mountain View.  Speroni has been the
Pacific Sections Affiliated Club Coordinator and maintains a variety
of Amateur Radio related interests.  Outgoing Pacific Section
Manager Bob Schneider, AH6J, of Keaau, decided not to run for
another term of office after serving for the past 10 years.
Schneider also had served earlier as Pacific SM from 1992 to 1996
and from 2002 to 2004.  In the San Diego Section, Dave Kaltenborn,
N8KBC, of Chula Vista, California, outpolled Patrick Bunsold,
WA6MHZ, of El Cajon, California, 350 to 219 votes.  Kaltenborn
brings more than 25 years of experience as a radio amateur to the
top post in San Diego Field Organization. He has been Assistant
Section Manager, Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, and a
District and local Emergency Coordinator.  Outgoing Section Manager
Steve Early, AD6VI, of La Mesa, California, decided not to run for
another term after serving for the past 8 years.  In Virginia,
incumbent Section Manager Joe Palsa, K3WRY, received 870 votes,
while Anthony Harbour, KG4YXP, of Ridgeway received 512.  Palsa, of
North Chesterfield, was appointed as Virginias SM 1 year ago, to
complete the remaining term of then Section Manager Carl Clements,
W4CAC, who had stepped down. With this election, Palsa will continue
as Section Manager for the next 2 years.  In Louisiana, Scott Wren,
KD5DFL, of Pineville, will succeed Jim Molan, KD5IGG, as Section
Manager on April 1. Wren was the only nominee for the new term when
Molan, of Cottonport, announced that he would not run for the
position again after serving for one term.  Wren has served as
Section Emergency Coordinator for the past 2 years and as an
Assistant District Emergency Coordinator or Emergency Coordinator
since 2005.

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