SB QST @ ARL $ARLB012
ARLB012 FCC takes enforcement actions
ZCZC AG12
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 12 ARLB012
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT February 19, 1999
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB012
ARLB012 FCC takes enforcement actions
The FCC has told a Delaware ham that she must take her Amateur Radio
examinations again or lose her license. The FCC's Riley
Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, says ''questions were raised'' about how Sheila
Bowden, N3QQS, of Millsboro, upgraded to Extra. He said the FCC is
requesting that Bowden start from scratch and retake ''all the
elements.'' Bowden was notified February 16.
The FCC has the authority under Part 97 to re-administer exam
elements previously administered by VEs. The FCC told Bowden that
she must retake the Amateur Extra Class examination series at an
ARRL/VEC session before March 19 or lose her license.
Hollingsworth said the FCC plans to call in additional amateur
licensees for retesting in the near future. In all of those cases,
Hollingsworth said, the FCC has reason to suspect the integrity of
the examination process.
''The ham community needs to have a sense of confidence in the
examination system,'' Hollingsworth said. ''This is a critical link in
the chain.''
Last month, the FCC dismissed the Extra class license formerly held
by Bowden's husband, Wayne, after the Commission discovered
''irregularities in the administration of the examination by the
Volunteer Examiners.'' Wayne Bowden, formerly AA3RT, took the
complete Amateur Radio examination series at an October 4 W5YI-VEC
session. He had not held an amateur license before then.
The FCC is continuing its probe into alleged testing irregularities
at Pennsylvania W5YI-VEC sessions October 4 and 6, including
allegations that examinees might have been coached or given test
answers.
In a separate action, the FCC has suspended the HF privileges of a
New Jersey ham. The FCC notified Walter P. Miller Jr., W2YEE, of
Edison that his privileges to operate below 30 MHz were being
suspended for 180 days.
The license-modification letter February 16 from Hollingsworth came
in the wake of an earlier warning letter to W2YEE. Hollingsworth
alleged that W2YEE's 75-meter operation on February 4 and 5 was
contrary to the Amateur Service Rules. Hollingsworth said Miller
violated Section 97.1, basis and purpose of Amateur Radio, Section
97.101(a), good engineering and good amateur practice, and Section
97.119, identification requirements. The alleged operation took
place on 3901 and 3950 kHz, the FCC said.
Miller has 30 days to formally protest the modification.
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