FCC MODIFIES AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE RULES, ELIMINATING MORSE CODE EXAM REQUIREMENTS AND ADDRESSING ARRL PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
The FCC has decided to drop all Morse code testing requirements for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States. This means that Technician and Technician Plus will have identical privileges, and there will be no code exam required for General and Extra Class. Presumably, those who now have General Class theory CSCE’s will be allowed to upgrade to General. This change brings the United States into line with many other countries worldwide that have eliminated a Morse requirement. In addition, the FCC affirmed its recent expansion of phone privileges on the 75 meter band.