SB QST @ ARL $ARLB027
ARLB027 FCC says no to expanding special event call sign program

ZCZC AG27
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 27  ARLB027
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  April 27, 1999
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB027
ARLB027 FCC says no to expanding special event call sign program

The FCC has denied the ARRL's petition that sought to expand the
Amateur Radio special event call sign program. The League had asked
the FCC to amend its rules to permit the use of special event call
sign formats that go beyond the currently authorized one-by-one
(1x1) format. The petition also had asked the Commission to include
call signs denoting US territories and possessions having no mailing
address within the special event program.

In an April 21 letter to League, D'Wana Terry, chief of the Public
Safety and Private Wireless Division within the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau said the FCC was ''not persuaded that the
requested changes to the system are warranted at this time.'' The
League's petition was submitted May 18, 1998, but it was never
assign a rulemaking number or put out for public comment.

ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ, called Terry's
decision ''somewhat disappointing.''

The special event call sign program is administered by several
private sector coordinators, including the ARRL. Those wanting a
special event call sign for a limited period are able to reserve one
via the Internet. Under current rules, 750 combinations of 1x1
format call signs are available for limited periods. Stations
operating with special event call signs still must identify with the
station's regularly assigned call sign at one-hour intervals.

In its petition, the League said there has been significant demand
for special event call signs outside of the 1x1 format and for
DXpeditions to locations under US jurisdiction that lack US Postal
Service addresses. The League also said that there has been ''a great
deal of interest'' in additional special event call sign formats that
would let the call sign symbolize a particular event or type of
event.

Terry said the FCC has not received any indication from the Amateur
Radio community that demand for special event call signs exceeded
the number available. She also said the need to create additional
formats was outweighed by the complexity of creating them.

Terry advised more experience with the current system before
deciding to change it, and she urged the League to continue to
monitor demand for special event call signs. Sumner said he was
encouraged that the FCC, while denying the petition, had invited the
League to revisit the issue later.
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