Comments To The FCC Concerning The Telegraphy Requirements For 
           An Amateur Radio License ( FCC 98-183 (E) )
                      (WT Docket No. 98-143)


                            Discussion

"Today, radiotelegraphy is just one facet of many diverse modes of radiocommunication that
require a technologically literate licensee"." In 1990, in response to the sentiment of the amateur
community, we (FCC) established a codeless Technician Class operator license". The codeless
Technician Class is now the dominant class, with numbers approaching 50% of all Amateur
Radio Operators. Since the establishment of the codeless Technician Class in 1990, the maritime
community has adopted more advanced methods of communication and has virtually abandoned
telegraphy. It has become apparent that the World Radiocommunications Conference(WRC),
scheduled for 2001, will move to eliminate the amateur telegraphy requirement contained in the
international Radio Regulations.

 The future of Amateur Radio in the United States depends upon attracting youngsters who have
grown up using computers.  How do we rationalize requiring these youngsters to memorize a 19th
century code as we enter the 21st century.
 
It is imperative that the FCC remove the "barrier" of an outdated telegraphy requirement from
it's Rules and Regulations.



                             Proposal

I am in agreement with the ARRL Proposal for the modification of the Rules, Regulations and
Band Plans with the exception of the telegraphy requirement.

It is my proposal that the FCC move to first reduce the telegraphy requirement to knowledge of
the Morse code for all license classes. Since the international regulations do not specify any
speed for knowledge of the Morse code, speed should be set at zero. All telegraphy examinations 
should be written (carried out on paper). This would eliminate the burden on the volunteer
examiners (VE) for the requirement of audio equipment and special needs for hearing disabled
applicants. It would also eliminate the problem of telegraphy examination credit for examinees
with a disability. 

It is my proposal the FCC secondly move to eliminate the telegraphy requirement from FCC
Rules and Regulations when the WRC acts to remove the telegraphy requirement from
international regulations.

Sincerely,




Don DeJarnette
KC4YRT