WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU FACT SHEET FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 1919 M STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 20554 PR5000 _____________________________________________________________________ Number 201 January 1997 INFORMATION ABOUT THE AMATEUR SERVICES The amateur and amateur-satellite services are for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. These services present an opportunity for self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations. Twenty-seven small frequency bands throughout the spectrum are allocated to this service internationally. Some 1,300 digital, analog, pulse, and spread-spectrum emission types may be transmitted. Millions of amateur operators in all areas of the world communicate with each other directly or through ad hoc relay systems and amateur-satellites. They exchange messages by voice, teleprinting, telegraphy, facsimile, and television. In areas where the services are adminstered by the FCC, an amateur operator must have an FCC or Canadian license or an FCC-issued Reciprocal Permit for Alien Amateur Licensee. All frequencies are shared. No frequency is assigned for the exclusive use of any amateur station. Station control operators cooperate in selecting transmitting channels to make the most effective use of the frequencies. They design, construct, modify, and repair their stations. The FCC equipment authorization program does not generally apply to amateur station apparatus. There are six classes of operator license, each authorizing varying levels of privileges. The class for which each examinee is qualified is determined by the degree of skill and knowledge in operating a station that the examinee demonstrates to volunteer examiners (VEs) in his or her community. Most new amateur operators start at the Technician class and then advance one class at a time. The VEs give examination credit for the license class currently held so that examinations already passed need not be repeated. The VEs construct the written examinations from question pools that have been made public. Helpful study guides and training courses are widely available. The privileges of a Technician Class operator license include operating stations while transmitting on channels in any of 17 frequency bands above 50 MHz with up to 1,500 watts power. It also authorizes the person to serve as a VE in helping to prepare certain examinations. To pass the Technician Class examination, at least 41 questions from a two-part 55 question written examination must be answered correctly. (On July 1, 1997, the number of questions will be 65, of which 48 must be answered correctly.) The next level is Technician Plus Class operator. This license adds privileges in four long distance, shortwave bands in the HF range (3-30 MHz). In addition to the above written examination, a short, slow-speed telegraphy examination at 5 words-per-minute (wpm) must be passed. The General Class operator license carries privileges in all 27 amateur service bands. Upon accreditation by a volunteer-examiner coordinator (VEC), an individual can help administer certain -more- examinations. In addition to the above written examination, the requirement includes a 25 question examination for which 19 correctly-answered questions is the minimum passing score. (On July 1, 1998, the number of questions will be 30, of which 22 must be answered correctly.) A medium-speed telegraphy examination at 13 wpm must also be passed. The privileges of an Advanced Operator class license includes 275 kHz of additional spectrum in the HF bands. In addition to all of the above written examinations, the requirement includes a 50 question written examination for which 37 correctly answered questions is the minimum passing score. The privileges of an Amateur Extra Operator class license includes still more spectrum, 175 kHz in the HF bands. In addition to all of the above written examinations, the requirement includes a 40 question written examination for which 30 correctly answered questions is the minimum passing score. A high-speed telegraphy examination at 20 wpm must also be passed. There is also the Novice Operator class for persons who pass the slow speed telegraphy examination, but only pass the first part of the written examination for Technician Class. Passing requires answering correctly at least 22 of 30 questions. (On July 1, 1997, the number of questions will be 35, of which 26 must be answered correctly.) Privileges include four bands in the HF range, one band in the VHF range (30-300 MHZ), and one band in the UHF range (300-3,000 MHz). Contact the VEs in your community or one of the VECs for information on preparing for an examination and for help in finding an examination session. They are permitted to charge a small fee to recover their out-of-pocket costs in administering an examination. The VEs employ special procedures to accommodate examinees with disabilities. They also give credit for the 13 or 20 wpm telegraphy examination to persons who have passed the slow-speed telegraphy examination, but cannot pass the higher speed examinations because of a physician-certified disability. See INSTRUCTIONS TO PERSONS WITH SEVERE HANDICAPS on FCC Form 610-Instructions. Because of international requirements, no waiver of the 5 wpm requirement is granted. The FCC rules are designed to promote the amateur service in the United States in order to provide emergency communications, advance radio technology, improve operator skills, expand the numbers of trained operators, technicians, and electronic experts, and enhance international goodwill. These rules are codified in Title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, Telecommunication, Part 97. FCC Form 610 is used for license renewal and change of name, mailing address, or call sign (sequential system only) as well as for new and upgraded operator class (exam required). A VEC can file electronically FCC Form 610 for you. This form is available for downloading from the FCC's Internet homepage at http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html, from the Fax-on-demand system by calling (202) 418-0177 from the handset of a fax machine, or from the FCC's forms contractor by calling (800) 418-FORM (3676). The mailing address for FCC Form 610 is FCC, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245. The best time to file for renewal is 30-60 days before your license expires. -FCC-