ARLB023 FCC says reciprocal permits now "paperless"

[Paul L. Rinaldo]

>ZCZC AG23
>QST de W1AW  
>ARRL Bulletin 23  ARLB023
>From ARRL Headquarters  
>Newington CT  April 1, 1999
>To all radio amateurs 
>
>SB QST ARL ARLB023
>ARLB023 FCC says reciprocal permits now ''paperless''
>
>The FCC is advising applicants for reciprocal operating permits that
>an application is no longer required. Under new ULS rules that took
>effect February 12, the FCC Form 610A has passed into history. The
>new rules also will pave the way for US hams to more easily operate
>in most of Europe. The FCC is expected to issue a Public Notice in
>the near future that will spell out the details.
>
>Alien visitors to the US holding an amateur license issued by their
>home country may operate in the US without submitting any FCC
>paperwork--provided that a reciprocal operating agreement is in
>effect between the two countries. The only documentation required is
>proof of citizenship and an Amateur Radio license issued by the
>country of citizenship. These arrangements are similar to
>longstanding arrangements between the US and Canada.
>
>The new rules move the US a step closer to participation in the
>licensing arrangements of CEPT, the European Conference of Postal
>and Telecommunications Administrations. The US State Department
>applied for US participation in 1997, and the request was approved
>in early 1998. Completion of the final steps to make this a reality
>is understood to be imminent. These include formal US notification
>to the European Radiocommunications Office that it is prepared to
>carry out its responsibilities under CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01,
>and the issuance of a Public Notice in English, French and German.
>
>Under the CEPT arrangements, a US Technician licensee will be
>recognized as holding the equivalent of a CEPT Class 2 (VHF-only)
>license. Holders of Tech Plus through Extra tickets will have the
>full HF and VHF privileges of a CEPT Class 1 license. Novice
>licensees will not be eligible.
>
>Additionally, the ARRL has informed the US State Department that it
>plans to go forward in April with arrangements to issue
>International Amateur Radio Permits to US hams in accordance with
>the CITEL Amateur Convention, signed by several countries in the
>Americas. The League has offered its services to issue IARPs to US
>hams. An IARP is not a license, but it certifies the existence of a
>license.
>
>The new rules will not change the procedures for US hams wishing to
>operate overseas in countries that are not CEPT members or CITEL
>Amateur Convention signatories.
>NNNN
>/EX
>
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