23 Elinore Avenue
Elberon, New Jersey 07740
August 27, 1998

FCC Secretary Magalie Roman Salas
Office of the Secretary Federal Communications Commission
1919 "M" Street N.W. Room 222
Washington, D.C. 20554

Dear Ms. Salas:

In the matter of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review-Amendment of
Part 97 of the commission's Amateur Service Rules, FCC WT Docket
98-143, I would like to add my comments.

As a high school student in 1943-1944 before entry into Army  I
took a course in typing And Morse code.  I had also taken Code 
as a Boy Scout.  Over the years I lost what facility I had and
recently desired to become an Amateur Radio Operator.  I studied
and took the 5-wpm test and passed it the first time.  I took the
written tests and finally became a Technician and was awarded my
license and call sign KB2KFB.

I really have tried to upgrade.  I can pass the technical test
handily but stubbornly have continued to learn, take and try to
pass the 13-wpm code test.  Each time I have taken it I have
failed.

Assuming I would be able to go on the air I purchased a radio and
microphone and have set up an antenna but have learned that I
have really no voice privileges until I upgrade my license to
General.  But that includes taking the 13-wpm code test.

This is a request that some kind of regulation be enacted which
will allow me to take the technical tests for the upgrade.  I am
71 and see myself sitting in front of a radio that I cannot use
and not being as active mentally as I thought becoming a "Ham"
would permit me.  I have very good hearing aids but I cannot make
sense out 3-wpm code

Very Sincerely yours,

Aaron H. Schectman