In a wide-ranging Report and Order (R&O) released June 9, the FCC has revised the Amateur Service Part 97 rules: changes will be effective 30 days after publication in The Federal Register. The FCC announced that the changes would take effect on Monday, July 21. The Federal Register published the new rules on June 20, according to the ARRL. Ed.
Credit for expired General, Advanced, and Amateur Extra license elements will be granted, provided that former licensees, beyond the two-year grace period, pass the Element 2 (Technician) examination. Former General and Advanced Class licensees will be granted Element 3 (General) credit. Former Amateur Extra Class licensees will be granted Element 3 (General) and 4 (Extra) credit. There will no credit granted to an expired Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE). Applicants must submit documentation of their formerly held license class, to claim examination element credit. All former licensees must pass the current Element 2 (Technician) examination. Exam Element Credit
The FCC declined to reduce the required number of Volunteer Examiners from three to two.
The FCC allowed the option to conduct examinations by videoconferencing or other remote means, provided that at least one VE is present at the test location. The mechanics are to be addressed by the administering VE’s and their accrediting VEC.
The FCC authorized TDMA emissions in the Amateur Service.
The FCC also will make “certain minor, non-substantive amendments to the Amateur Service rules”, and correct “certain typographical or other errors” in Part 97.
See the FCC website for full details on the Report and Order. Or click here: FCC-14-74A1
