[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27757]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 9, 1994]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Part 97

[PR Docket No. 92-167; RM-7680; FCC 94-274]

 

Special Temporary Licensing Procedure for Visiting Foreign 
Amateur Operations

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule; termination.

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SUMMARY: This action terminates the proposal in this proceeding to 
amend the amateur service rules to provide a temporary licensing 
procedure for amateur operators, such as tourists and convention 
attendees, so that they can operate their amateur stations during brief 
visits to the United States. The action is necessary so that the matter 
will not remain in a pending status. The effect of this termination is 
that foreign amateur operators will continue to use the current means 
of obtaining operating authority, that is, obtaining a United States or 
a reciprocal license.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maurice J. DePont, Federal 
Communications Commission, Private Radio Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, 
(202) 632-4964.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
Memorandum Opinion and Order, adopted October 24, 1994, and released 
November 2, 1994. The complete text of this Commission action is 
available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in 
the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20554. The complete text of this Memorandum Opinion and Order may also 
be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.), 2100 M Street, NW., Suite 
140, Washington, DC 20037. Telephone number (202) 857-3800.

Summary of Memorandum Opinion and Order

    1. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making in FCC 92-346, 57 FR 37758, 
published August 20, 1992, in this proceeding, addresses a need that 
visiting foreign amateur operators have for a convenient procedure by 
which they can obtain authority to operate their amateur stations while 
they are here in the United States for brief visits.
    2. Commenters were concerned that language barriers might pose a 
problem for volunteer examiners who would be required to verify the 
foreign amateur operator's license. Also raised in the comments was the 
matter of whether the volunteer examiner system should be used for the 
purpose of authorizing visiting foreign amateur operators. Another 
concern was that authorizing operation by visitors from countries that 
do no currently have reciprocal agreements with the United States might 
reduce the incentive for those countries to enter into such agreements.
    3. The Commission said that because of the concerns expressed, the 
amateur service rules would not be amended as proposed. The Commission 
recognizes, however, the need a convenient licensing procedure for 
visiting foreign amateur operators. Other ways to meet the need, 
therefore, will continue to be explored. The Commission said that, in 
particular, it would work to ensure the reciprocal treatment of United 
States amateur operators, whether through bilateral or multilateral 
arrangements.
    4. A related petition for rule making (RM-7680), filed by Stephen 
R. Hutchins, was dismissed without prejudice because the Commission did 
not want to retain it in a pending status while various international 
negotiations (such as the mutual recognition of Conference of Europeene 
des Administrations de la Post et Telecommunication (CEPT) licenses) 
are being pursued.
    5. This Memorandum Opinion and Order is issued under the authority 
of 47 U.S.C. 154(i).

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 97

    Amateur radio, Examinations, Radio, Treaties.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-27757 Filed 11-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M