SB QST @ ARL $ARLB096
ARLB096 League "heartily supports" FCC proposal to ease
international operating

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ARRL Bulletin 96  ARLB096
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  December 16, 1996
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB096
ARLB096 League ''heartily supports'' FCC proposal to ease
international operating

In comments filed in response to an FCC proposal that would make it
easier for visiting foreign hams to temporarily operate in the US,
the ARRL ''heartily supports'' the plan, but suggests some changes.
Earlier this year, the FCC proposed amending the Amateur Radio rules
to make it easier for hams holding a European Conference of Postal
and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) radio-amateur license
or an International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP) from certain
countries in the Americas to operate during short visits to the US.

If finally approved, hams would be able to operate for short periods
in participating countries without first obtaining another license or
permit from the host country. The arrangement would make it easier
for US hams to operate stations temporarily in several countries in
Europe, Central and South America. Likewise, hams from those
countries would be allowed to operate in stations in places where the
FCC regulates ham radio.

The principal change recommended by the ARRL involved the length of
time CEPT or IARP holders would be allowed to operate in the US. The
FCC had proposed extending operating authority for ''up to 180 days
within the preceding five years.'' In its comments, the League called
the limitation ''unnecessarily restrictive,'' and suggested a CEPT
license or an IARP ''be valid for use by the holder for a period up to
one year'' from the date of arrival in the US but not beyond the
expiration date of the ham license issued by the visitor's home
country.

The two classes of CEPT licenses would correspond either to Amateur
Extra or Technician class. Resident aliens or US citizens could not
operate in the US under a CEPT license or IARP.

In 1995, the ARRL petitioned the FCC to implement the CITEL/Amateur
Convention. The League also asked the Commission to acknowledge
arrangements to be made between the ARRL and the Department of State
to issue IARP documents to US citizens for use in other CITEL
countries. The FCC also has asked the State Department to apply for
participation in the CEPT Agreement as a non-CEPT country.
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