200 Spoken WPM, huh? That lets me out, and Bob, and a bunch of other folks from the Lone Star State. Some nerve... Maybe we can use the linked 2m system IF we can cut in between the signal reports (mine's always at "four bars") and grocery lists! ;-)
Best Regards, Steve White, W5SAW SW Commercial Electronics -----Original Message----- From: W1EOF [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 10:47 PM To: Discussion of AM Radio Subject: [AMRadio] The new FCC rules are here! A bit of humor... please no flaming or arguing over this. Life is short. Enjoy radio. 73, Mark W1EOF ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ > Dateline, Washington, DC > > The FCC today took what they described as an important new step to > reduce QRM on amateur frequencies by setting standards for voice > speeds. The docket #200-4U will become official in the Part 97 amateur > regulations effective April First. > > Citing frequent complaints about "long, boring conversations" on the > ham bands, especially 75 meters, the Commission moved to impose a new > standard on voice operations requiring all conversations to be at a > speed of "at least 200 spoken words-per-minute". > > The Commission in its ruling was especially critical of what they > called "long winded, often endless conversations by old men talking > about their prostate problems and other needs to get up and go to the > bathroom several times during the night". > > FCC staffers say they have personally heard conversations about > nothing that went for hours and tied up frequencies that could be used > by faster talkers. Official Observer stations have received > instructions to listen to suspect conversations and count the number > of words-per-minute spoken. Those QSOs which fail to meet the minimum > speed requirements will be noted and the operators involved will > receive Official Observer Advisory Notices encouraging them to follow > the rules or risk receiving notice of apparent violation citations > from the FCC. > > Some hams in southern states complained the new regulation will impose > a burden on them because they naturally talk more slowly than those up > north. They are suggesting that frequencies be set aside for slow > speed discussions concerning favorite countrymusic artists > (particularly Don Williams), NASCAR, huntin' and feeshin' > (particularly bass and brim). FCC says it may consider that in future > rulemaking. > > In a separate press release, the American Radio Relay League said they > are also concerned about two-meter operation where little is discussed > except "full quieting and items to be picked up on the way home". The > League said that sort of thing is boring and is usually spoken very > slowly as well, far below the 200 words-per-minute minimum. The League > suggested conversations on how to help raise more money for League > activities would be especially welcomed and will be encouraged. Future > issues of QST will contain special pull-out sections containing > recommended topics for on-air discussion to brighten up QSOs.
