Report No. CI 98-17      COMPLIANCE AND  INFORMATION ACTION September 25, 1998
                                
                                
             FCC ANNOUNCES SHIFT IN AMATEUR RADIO 
                     ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS 
                                
     The Federal Communications Commission announced today a change in the handling of
enforcement actions concerning the Amateur Radio Service.  By internal arrangement between the
FCC's Compliance and Information Bureau (CIB) and the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau (WTB), as of September 1, 1998,  all investigation, evaluation and processing of radio
amateur related enforcement matters have been transferred to the CIB.  
     The main objective of this change is to facilitate the Commission's pursuit of compliance in
the amateur services especially with regard to resolution of interference complaints.  

     The CIB staff now handles amateur radio enforcement matters from initiation to
resolution, including, as appropriate, complaints, amateur testing issues, warnings, monetary
penalties, revocation hearings or, in extreme cases, equipment seizure and prosecution through
the Department of Justice.  WTB continues to handle all processing and licensing matters
including new applications and licensing renewal matters.  WTB continues to handle all policy and
rule making matters related to amateur radio.  

     All amateur enforcement questions and complaints should be sent to:

                    Compliance and Information Bureau
                    Compliance Division
                    Attention: Amateur Complaints
                    1919 M Street, Mail Stop 1500E1, Washington, D.C. 20554

                    Calls should be directed to (202) 418-1184.



     News Media contacts: Meribeth McCarrick or David Fiske at (202) 418-0500
     Compliance and Information Bureau contact:  Riley Hollingsworth at (717) 338-2502

                            - FCC -