The ARRL has petitioned the FCC for expanded HF voice, RTTY and digital privileges for TechnicianClass licensees. The League says current growth rates in licensing are insufficient to sustain the amateur service in the long run, and points out the long-standing problem that many Technician licensees never get on the air or become active members of the broader amateur radio community. The entry-level license, says the ARRL petition, must "provide sufficient, relevant, operating privileges to allow these individuals to find value in Amateur Radio and to build in a strong incentive to upgrade to the next license class by a culture of involvement among new licensees."
Specifically, the League's February 28 petition asks for
RTTY and other digital-mode privileges on current Technician CW subbands on 80,
40, 15 and 10 meters; plus new voice privileges on 3.900-4.000, 7.225-7.300 and
21.350-21.450 MHz. Maximum power output would be 200 watts PEP. At press time,
the FCC had not yet given the petition a rulemaking number or requested public
comment.
