The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed changes related to the issuance and renewal of operator licenses under its Amateur Radio Service rules.
According to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order issued in October 2012, the Commission has proposed the following changes:
- Grant examination credit for an amateur operator applicant who has formerly held a particular class of amateur operator license;
- Shorten from two years to six months the grace period during which an expired amateur operator license can be renewed; and
- Reduce from three to two the number of volunteer examiners required to administer an amateur license examination.
In addition, the Commission is seeking comment on a proposal to allow for the remote administration of the license examination, and what rule changes, if any, should be made to accommodate remote examinations.
Comments on the proposed rule changes are due to the Commission by the end of November 2012.
Read the complete text of the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking its Amateur Radio Service.
