FCC News Bulletin - July 15, 1993
                          ACTION IN DOCKET CASE
       RESTRICTIONS RELAXED ON SCOPE OF PERMISSIBLE COMMUNICATIONS
    IN AMATEUR SERVICE - (PR DOCKET 92-136)

     (Washington, DC)  The Commission has amended the amateur service rules
in order to allow amateur operators more flexibility to provide
communications for public service projects as well as to enhance the value
of the amateur service in satisfying personal communications needs.

     The international Radio Regulations define the amateur service as a
radiocommunication service for the purpose of self- training,
intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs,
that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely
with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.  Part 97 of the
commission's Rules prohibits amateur stations from transmitting any
communications the purpose of which is to facilitate the business or
commercial affairs of any party, or as an alternative to other authorized
radio services.

     The amendment would allow the amateur service to expand its public
service capabilities and to provide greater flexibility for personal
communications.  The amendment would allow licensees to use amateur
service frequencies to facilitate events such as races and parades, to
support educational activities, to provide personal communications such as
making appointments and ordering food, to collect data for the National
Weather Service, and to provide assistance voluntarily even where there
are other authorized radio services available.

     The Commission was unable to accommodate the American Radio Relay
League's request that the Commission provide a list of anecdotal examples
of permitted and prohibited communications.  The Commission stated that
such a list would necessitate that the FCC intrude upon the day-to-day
functioning of the service to a far greater degree than desired.  The FCC
also said that there would have to be thousands of examples, and declined
to devote staff resources to the development and maintenance of such a
list.

     Action by the Commission July 15, 1993, by Report and Order
News Media contact,  Douglas Anmuth at (202) 632-5050
Private Radio Bureau contact,  William T. Cross at (202) 632-4964

                                 - FCC -
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