The US  Federal Communication Commission has given notice for public comment on the proposal to establish re-licensing requirements for Amateur Class license holders of the Advanced and Extra Class license.  The public input period will be 6 months in duration ending September 8th 2021.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said "It has come to our attention that the skill set required to operate Amateur Radio has changed substantially and old guys with 30 words per minute on CW just don't cut it anymore."  Further background was provided showing that older operators struggle with Digital Modes, Software Defined Radio and many more of the newer aspects of communication and aren't nice to newer Hams.  "We need these class of operators to be a shining beacon for this hobby, leading the way in technological change and embracing it and providing leadership", said Pai.

When pressed as to what would happen to license holders that do not pass the re-licensing test Mr Pai said, "We do not want them to be removed from Amateur Radio, we understand how important this hobby is to license holders,  however a significant lowering of privileges is being considered, proposals have suggested being downgraded to General Class."

Scott VA7SL reporting 

​The DIPOLE - the Worlds finest Amateur Radio News Source like a Dipole there are two sides to every story, we ignore those sides, digging deeper for unwanted lobes and parasitic reactions.

In a stunning move sure to shock the Amateur Radio community, the Biden administration in a massive $1.2 Trillion dollar omnibus bill touted as COVID Relief, passed legislation approving Chinese radio manufacturers Baofeng and AnyTone as Government and Military suppliers for communication needs.

​Touted as a game changer for procurement, these radios will save the American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars which can be better spent on Health Care and Gun Control in the United States.  The cost of outfitting an infantry soldier alone will be reduced by over a $1000 dollars and the savings will be even greater when phase 2 resupplying of the the Army, Airforce & Navy heavy equipment begins with these inexpensive transceivers.   The Navy is particularly excited, scheduling to have their Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers outfitted with the Chinese gear starting this Summer 2021 as the first step in total NORAD/NATO integration begins.

When Pentagon officials were pressed why the rush and also questioned about the reliability and durability of such equipment a senior spokesmen said, "with the difficulty in programming these radio we are certain that our troops wont screw with them once we have them set up and working right, so this also allows us to have a lower IQ level of recruit and will broaden our recruitment options in the US population."  Further information was provided showing that replacing damaged equipment, such as a Handheld dropped from 2 to 3 inches  was still cheaper then buying Military-Spec gear from current Japanese suppliers.

Scott VA7SL reporting from The Pentagon

​The DIPOLE - the Worlds finest Amateur Radio News Source like a Dipole there are two sides to every story, we ignore those sides, digging deeper for unwanted lobes and parasitic reactions.
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