NOTICE ********************************************************* NOTICE ********************************************************* This document was originally prepared in Word Perfect. If the original document contained-- * Footnotes * Boldface & Italics --this information is missing in this version The document format (spacing, margins, tabs, etc.) is changed too. If you need the complete document, download the Word Perfect version. For information about downloading documents (FTP) see file pnmc5021. File pnmc5021 (.txt & .wp) is in directory \pub\Public_Notices\Miscellaneous. ***************************************************************** ******** $//Order,Amateur Operator Classes,DA 95-643//$ $/1.106 Petitions for reconsideration/$ $///DA 95-643 3/30/95///$ ///newjob/// Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DA 95-643 Washington, D. C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) RM-8391 Change in Number of Classes ) of Amateur Operator Licenses. ) ORDER Adopted: March 28, 1995 Released:April 3, 1995 By the Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau: 1. On April 20, 1994, the Acting Deputy Chief, Private Radio Bureau, denied a petition for rule making, RM-8391, filed by Mr. Rolf Jespersen. The petition was denied because there was insufficient evidence to justify revisiting the issues concerning the number of amateur operator classes and examination requirements. The petitioner had proposed that the present six classes of operator licenses be reduced to three, only two of which would require telegraphy proficiency. No comments were filed in response to his petition (RM-8391). On May 26, 1994, Mr. Jespersen filed a timely petition for reconsideration of the denial. 2. In support of his petition for reconsideration, Mr. Jespersen states that: (a) supporters did not know when to file supporting comments; (b) telegraphy "ability," not necessarily telegraphy "proficiency," should be the criterion for the class of operator license obtained; (c) the previous rule making proceedings showing the desire of the amateur community to preserve communications by telegraphy were not documented; and (d) the rule changes that he suggested would promote growth in the amateur community and reduce delays in obtaining new and upgraded licenses. 3. A Public Notice listing RM-8391 was released on November 30, 1993. The Public Notice was available to the public in the Commission's Reference Room (Room 239) upon its release, and also in the Commission's Press Room (Room 259) on the release date. Statements supporting or opposing the petition could have been filed within 30 days and the public was so advised in the Public Notice. 4. The petitioner's request that the Commission establish three classes of operator licenses is a request that asks the Commission to revisit several of its decisions regarding the structure, requirements, privileges and license classes of the amateur service. For example, in 1951, the Commission established the basic operator class structure. See Report and Order in Docket No. 9295, 16 Fed. Reg. 1237 (1951). In 1967, the Commission reduced the code speed for the Advanced Class operator license to 13 words per minute and decided to retain the Amateur Extra Class license. See Report and Order in Docket No. 15928, 32 Fed. Reg. 12682 (1967). The nature of the amateur service was again examined in December, 1983, when the Commission declined to establish a class of amateur operator license without a telegraphy requirement. See Report and Order in PR Docket No. 83-28, 49 Fed. Reg. 1097 (1984). The subject was revisited in 1990 when the Commission established an entry-level, codeless class of operator license and the amateur community confirmed its preference of preserving telegraphy as an examination requirement for the remaining operator license classes. The amateur service community in the United States generally considers the current telegraphy speed requirements as necessary and appropriate. See Report and Order in PR Docket No. 90-55, 5 FCC Rcd 7631 (1990). 6. The license class structure has not precluded growth in the amateur service. In 1950, there were 87,696 licensees, now there are 668,258. Moreover, past delays in issuing licenses are being substantially removed by the volunteer-examiner coordinator system and the electronic filing of license applications. 7. Accordingly, we affirm that the reasons advanced in the petition for rule making and in the petition for reconsideration are insufficient to justify revisiting the issues concerning the number of amateur operator classes and examination requirements at this time. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 1.106(a)(1) and (j) of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  1.106(a)(1) and (j), the petition for reconsideration IS DENIED. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Regina M. Keeney Chief, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau