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IN THIS EDITION:
From the time of the FCC posting in the Federal Register to the actual change in the FCC rulings, PIOs across the country were invited to take part in a 30 Day Code Blitz with the goal of making this change known to the non-ham population. (We knew the hams themselves would get the message unless they lived under a rock). Thanks to all the PIOs who made the effort to get so many notices, articles, interviews and stories into the media. From the NY Times to NPR Radio, local papers, TV and posters, the PIOs got the word out.
While some media wanted to present it as the "death of ham radio," others saw it as a chance for significant growth. While it is still very early in the game, this past week has seen huge numbers of people taking classes, becoming hams, upgrading to General, and buying study materials. With all these people learning about radio, something good is happening! At the same time, experienced hams have been holding "welcome to HF" parties on the air and helping new people get started right. This is Amateur Radio at its finest - teaching, helping and mentoring new people.
The actual numbers will not be known for some time, but all present indications are that things are going very well Much of the Blitz material on the /pio webpage will be removed, but we will keep the PSAs up for a while more as they are still being requested.
OUR goal as PIOs had nothing to do with the + or - of code. Our goal was to get the word out to non-hams about the change itself. Thank you to all the PIOs who helped pass the word so very well. Ya dun gud!
From: FCC-ConsumerNews
Sent: Tue 2/27/2007 10:27 AM
Subject: AMATEUR MORSE CODE ELIMINATION
The FCC has modified the amateur radio service rules, eliminating Morse code exam requirements.
The current amateur service operator license structure contains three classes of amateur radio operator licenses: Technician Class, General Class, and Amateur Extra Class.
Previously, the Commission, in accordance with international radio regulations, required applicants for General Class and Amateur Extra Class operator licenses to pass a five words-per-minute Morse code examination. The FCC has decided that is no longer a requirement because the FCC believes that the public interest is not served by requiring facility in Morse Code when the trend in amateur communications is to use voice and digital technologies for exchanging messages.
Once the changes are in effect, [-they went into effect Feb 23 - Ed.] all Technician licensees -- whether or not they have passed a Morse code examination -- will have "Tech Plus" operating privileges. This means you will have all of your current VHF/UHF and above frequencies and also will have access to the Novice/Technician Plus frequencies on HF.
This change eliminates an unnecessary regulatory burden that may discourage current amateur radio operators from advancing their skills and participating more fully in the benefits of amateur radio.
If you have a Certificate for Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) for Element 3 (General written test) and have been waiting for the FCC to drop the Morse code requirement. It will not happen automatically. You also will need to wait until the new rules are in effect. CSCEs remain valid for 365 days. There's been no change in that rule. If you have a non-expired CSCE for Element 3 credit, you would need to take the CSCE to a VE test session and have the examination team prepare and submit the paperwork for your license upgrade.
If you hold a novice license, there is no grandfather provision. In order to upgrade to Technician, you will need to pass the Element 2 written examination. The FCC did not change operating privileges for Novice, General, Advanced and Amateur Extra class licensees.
For more information on amateur radio licenses, go to http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=about_3&id=amateur
As PIOs, a large part of our job is to make friends for Amateur Radio. This can include providing a welcome and help for people new to the HF bands. There is an excellent tear-out section in the latest issue of QST. Here's the web link to download it to share with new people. http://www.arrl.org/HFWelcome/Welcome.pdf
With a major Thank You to Norm Schklar, WA4ZXV, the 2007 version of the Swiss Knife for PIOs is now available on the web. This is not an easy task as this year's edition is much larger than the '06 one and includes over 200 files, 4 directories and more video and audio files which must all be referenced and hyperlinked . You can see it at:
http://www.schklar.com/wa4zxv/SAK07/index.htm
Sometimes there are informative websites. Sometimes there are interesting ones. And then there are the rare few which absolutely make your jaw drop and your head twirl. The data and info presented are astounding, and it gets my A++ rating. This is one I am sure you will want to pass on to others.
http://www.scottmcleod.org/didyouknow.wmv
March
4 ARRL International DX Contest--Phone
11 Daylight Saving Time Begins
11 North American RTTY Sprint
24-25 CQ WW WPX SSB Contest
April
18 World Amateur Radio Day
21 Lyrids Meteor Shower
28 ARRL VEC Amateur Exam Day
29 ARRL VEC Amateur Exam Day
May
4-6 EmComm West
18-19 Dayton Hamvention®
19 Armed Forces Day
20 Dayton Hamvention®
21 Hurricane Awareness Week
25 McGan Award Nominations due
26-27 CQ WW WPX CW Contest
Also remember Severe Weather Week!
See the web to find out when it is held in your area
http://www.weather.gov/os/severeweather/severewxcal.shtml
This is just a reminder that the new brochures about Amateur Radio's emergency communications capabilities and the benefits of getting your own license are available. Thanks to the generosity of the DARA group in Dayton, OH, we are able to only request a donation of $6 per 100 to pay for the postage costs in shipping them to you. This can be done by writing to hello@arrl.org
Or snail mail
PR- EmComm Brochure
ARRL
225 Main
Newington CT 06111
Or internet
You can also make a donation via the web at https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/basic/
But if you do that, be sure to also write hello@arrl.org and let us know about it.
The 2007 Field Day package is up on the web. While it is hard to write a specific press release months ahead of the event, (we had to stay pretty generic) the package includes the first of what will be several releases and more timely materials made available to PIOs as we get closer to this event. To see all the FD materials already available, go to
http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/
Looking for ways to improve your writing skills in releases or your local newsletters? There are many excellent tips specifically for PIOs in the Swiss Army Knife for PIOs. But there are also a host of other professional places where you can get information and hints for free. One of the better ones is at
http://www.wyliecomm.com/newsletter_signup.shtml
Ann Wylie gives professional writing help and it's free.
This is just a reminder with some important information about using the PR Email Reflector.
The PR reflector was designed to provide a forum for sharing information and ideas about Amateur Radio related PR topics. Share your successes, your PR dilemmas or ask a question. The list contains over 400 PIOs, media professionals and League officials who can offer helpful advice. It is important that we keep all postings on the topic of public relations. Many participants belong to other reflector groups and receive a good deal of e-mail on a regular basis. Messages that are off-topic are at least an inconvenience and often an annoyance for those who are here to discuss Amateur Radio public relations.
When you post a message to pr@arrl.org ( mailto:pr@arrl.org ), everyone on the list will see it. When you reply to a message that someone else has posted, and only the initial poster will see your response. While having the entire group see your response may be a good way to stimulate further conversation, many topics are better done on a one to one.
Whenever you send a message to the reflector, please add your name, call sign and any other information that is appropriate so others know who the message is from.
Please refrain from posting copyrighted news articles on the PR Reflector. Instead, please just post the URLs.
You can receive emails as they are posted (most people want this) or in one daily summary email.
If for some reason you'd like to be removed from the list or you know of someone who would like to join us, please e-mail me at apitts@arrl.org
Last but not least, please advise us of any e-mail address changes to access the reflector. Please let me know if you have any questions.
