August 12, 1998

From: Ronnie E Hege
Address: 3425 Taylor Ave. Baltimore, Md. 21234

Docket Number: 98-143 Amendment to part 97 of Amateur Rules

Dear Sir or Madam:

I feel there definitely is a need to retain a code proficiency in
order to obtain an amateur license. However, reducing the code
speed requirement seems reasonable. I submit the following
reasons.

Morse code operation is widely used on frequencies below 30 Mhz.
To do away with the code requirement is like pretending that code
does not exist as part of amateur radio. Since code is a
significant part of amateur radio below 30 Mhz, it makes common
sense to retain testing for morse proficiency. Code testing
would also insure that code operators could properly perform on
the HF frequency bands. The present code speed requirements are
not necessary for proper operation, but it seems reasonable to
have a speed higherarchy for different class licenses. I propose
the following code speed changes.

I) Technician Class: No code
2) General Class:   5 WPM
3) Advanced Class: 10 WPM
4) Extra Class:    15 WPM

The ARRL has proposed that the 4 new license classes be renamed
as A, B, C, and D. If this proposal is accepted, the FCC would
have to issue new licenses to "all" amateurs to reflect the
change. I propose that present classification names be retained.
Namely, Technician, General, Advanced and Extra.

The present license testing procedures are designed in such a way
that all examinees will be given similar test questions. Giving
VE's and VEC's leniency in test question preparation could result
in inequitable testing. I like the present system as is. I do
agree with the FCC's proposal to allow Advanced Class amateurs to
test the General Class, however.