FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                      News Media contact:
May 4, 1999                                                       David Fiske at  (202) 418-0500
ending May 7, 1999 at 2100 hours

Report No. CI 99-20             COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATION ACTION

            FCC DECLARES AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION  
                  IN THE AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE

     Because of the recent violent tornados and other severe weather expected in the midwest,
at the request of the American Radio Relay League Section Manager in Oklahoma, the
Commission has issued an Emergency Declaration in the Amateur Radio Service.

     Because of the weather emergency requiring the protection of Amateur Emergency
Communications Frequencies, the Commission has ordered Amateurs to refrain from operating on
3900 kHz and 7285 kHz, unless taking part in handling of emergency traffic, until 9 PM, CST, on
May 7.

     The  following is the Emergency Declaration:

Under the authority of section 97.401 of the Federal Communications Commission's rules and
regulations [47 C.F.R. Part 97] a communications emergency is declared to exist in the Oklahoma
area due to the violent tornados and expected severe weather, requiring the protection of
Amateur emergency communication frequencies.  Amateurs are required to refrain from using
3900 kHz from now until May 7 at 2100 Central Standard Time.  Also, Amateurs are required to
refrain from using 7285 kHz for the same time frame.  Both frequencies are protected plus or
minus 3 kHz unless Amateurs are taking part in the handling of emergency traffic.  This order is
effective immediately.

                                                              - FCC -