Category: News

The Federal Communications Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)  regarding  amateur radio fees (20-270)  has been  published in the Federal Register. This action has started the clock ticking for the deadline to post comments regarding this action.

As of this posting, 1,791 comments have been submitted, but more are needed.

You are encouraged to view or submit comments prior to the close of the 30 day comment period.  Kermit Carlson’s post on the K9RN reflector provides more information about the commenting process.       

The deadline for comments for November 16, 2020. 

The following excerpt is from the ARRL Central Division Director, Kermit Carlson (W9XA). Mr. Carlson’s message, sent to all ARRL Central Division members, can be read in its entirety on the MCWA K9RN Groups.io reflector. It contains additional material important to the commenting process.

Many Central Division members have contacted me in the past month about the FCC’s proposal for a $50 “application fee” for license applications in the Amateur Radio Service.

The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in yesterday’s Federal Register.  The deadline for comments is November 16, and the Reply comment deadline is November 30.

Since the “official” comment period is now open and now is the time to file comments against this proposal!

…This subject is critical, the timing is critical.  I urge you to contact the FCC. The address and related information is contained in the article referenced in the Federal Register. Please use your own words to express your objections to the proposed fees.

Updated 10/20/2020 to better highlight comment link and update number of comments.

The ARRL Central Division Director, Kermit Carlson (W9XA) sent a message to ARRL members in the Central Division this morning.  A portion of his message follows.

The following message is from the ARRL HQ regarding the
loss of access to the 3.3-3.5 GHz secondary spectrum allocation. I wish
that I would be able to relay a more acceptable message to you this
morning. The timing for actual end to amateur operations on the 9-CM
band has yet to be announced.

FCC Orders Amateur Access to 3.5 GHz Band to “Sunset” 
10/08/2020

Despite vigorous and continuing opposition from ARRL and others, the FCC has ordered the “sunsetting” of the 3.3 – 3.5-GHz amateur radio secondary spectrum allocation. The decision allows current amateur
activity on the band to continue, “grandfathering” the amateur
operations subject to a later decision. The FCC proposed two deadlines
for amateur operations to cease on the band. The first would apply to
the 3.4 – 3.5 GHz segment, the second to 3.3 – 3.4 GHz. The FCC will
establish the dates once it reviews additional comments.

Full announcement from the ARRL

 

 

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing an amendment to the Schedule of Application fees (proceeding 20-270) which would assess a fee of $50 for new and renewed amateur radio licenses and applications for vanity callsigns. There would be no fee for administration changes such as a change of address.

The comment phase is now open and you are invited to submit comments to the FCC for consideration. Comments should be brief and respectful.  Our ARRL Section Manager has requested that your comments should also be sent to the Central Division Director, Kermit Carlson at w9xa@arrl.org 

You may post your comment for proceeding 20-270 . Be sure to enter the proceeding number “20-2020”.  Comments are due no later than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

As of this posting, the proceeding has not appeared in the Federal Register. There have been 1,442 comments in the last 30 days.  They can be viewed at 20-270 comments .

 

The 2020 Field Day is in the books with the club recording its highest score since FD was restarted by the club. Here are a few slides of the activities at Rush Creek Conservation Center. The individual photos can be viewed in the photo gallery.

fd2020-slides

For those wishing to take Amateur Radio licensing examinations during this pandemic, there are a few options. As testing availability is subject to change, please contact the organization performing the testing to confirm the details.

• The Hamfesters Radio Club conducts FCC authorized VE tests every 2nd
  Saturday of the month at the Oak Forest Village Hall, 15440 S. Central Ave., Oak Forest, Illinois 60452.  For more information contact Al Buikowski (N9ZD) or visit https://www.hamfesters.org/main/ve-testing. 

• MRAC holds monthly VE testing at HRO in Milwaukee, reservations required. More information at https://www.mracvec.org/.

• The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club (SARC) is providing limited VE testing.  More information about the SARC testing sessions can be found at the SARC website (https://n9rjv.org).