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Canada Proposes Reduced Morse Requirement
NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 11, 2001--Industry Canada--the Canadian equivalent of the FCC--has proposed to discontinue that country's 12 WPM Morse code requirement in favor of a 5 WPM requirement for full HF operating privileges. Radio Amateurs of Canada had sought the action last year, urging the IC to drop the 12 WPM requirement. IC says it has received "a number of petitions" from those who contend there's no longer any justification for a 12 WPM Morse requirement.
RAC President Kenneth Oelke, VE6AFO, last year wrote the IC to recommend that full HF operating privileges be granted to amateurs who have passed a 5 WPM Morse test. At the same time, he requested that the IC consider beefing up written tests and to include more questions on modern modes of communication employed by radio amateurs.
Industry Canada has invited comments on its proposal--preferably via e-mail--from interested parties in Canada addressed to "Chief, Authorization" at dospaa@ic.gc.ca. Comments also may be sent by mail to Chief, Authorization, Spectrum Management Operations Directorate, Room 1588D, 300 Slater St, Ottawa, ON K1A0C8. Comments are due within 60 days. Comments received will be available for public viewing on Industry Canada's Web site.
The RAC has said that a move to a uniform 5 WPM Morse requirement for HF access would "be in harmony with what is happening in other parts of the world and would simplify the negotiation and implementation of reciprocal operating agreements."
RAC says it consulted with the Canadian Amateur community on the issue, and the RAC Board has concluded that a majority of Canadian Amateurs support dropping the 12 WPM Morse test--although RAC has acknowledged that many oppose the change.
RAC says the proposal would give Canadian radio amateurs operating privileges similar to those currently accorded to US amateurs who successfully pass a 5 WPM Morse test. "Industry Canada is aware that a review of the international regulations governing the Amateur Services will take place at the next World Radio Conference currently scheduled for 2003," the RAC has said.
For more information, visit the IC "Radiocommunication Act" page.
Page last modified: 08:42 AM, 11 Jan 2001 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2001, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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