Tuesday, August 23, 2011

FCC Dismisses Petition to Bar All Felons from Ham Bands


The FCC has said no to a petition asking for a rules change to automatically bar all convicted felons from ever holding an amateur license. Newsline reports that the request was filed this past May by Bernard Parker, K5BP, of Dallas, Texas. In dismissing the petition, the FCC said such matters are dealt with on a case-by-case basis in order to take into account any mitigating factors or subsequent rehabilitation. It also said Parker had not provided a compelling argument for the Commission to revisit its current policy, especially since it already has an established process in effect for determining whether a felony conviction is grounds for denial of an amateur radio license.