
The ARRL reports that it has obtained an internal FCC memo
in which the Enforcement Bureau lays out plans to ask the full Commission to
close two-thirds of its field offices and to cut in half the current number of
field agents. In their place, the bureau is proposing the formation of flexible
“Tiger Team” strike forces that could be deployed as needed to deal with
enforcement issues.
ARRL CEO Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, was troubled by the plan,
noting that enforcement already appears to be a low priority at the FCC and
that reducing its “geographic footprint and number of field agents” is the
wrong path to follow.