John Smith I wrote:
Dee Flint wrote:
...
Yup, I believe that was also a significant factor. It wouldn't surprise me
if the only reasons they got to it now was because the office was slow and
they wanted to clean up some loose ends before the end of the year.
...
Dee, N8UZE

Like any bureaucracy, the last thing they will do is move to save their
lives. This is what they did here, in a last move and hoping that it is
not too late, they removed the CW test hoping to save the amateur bands
... they know how to save their jobs!

JS

John, I think your thinking is becoming too focussed about the FCC.

Amateur radio is one of the LESSER radio services the FCC must,
by law of Congress, regulate. That same law does NOT empower
them to "boost" (support, encourage) amateur radio in any way,
despite what so many ardent, life-style radio amateurs think.

Think back on FCC 99-412, the R&O establishing "restructuring."
It was issued on 30 December 1999, just about the last document
released in 1999 by the FCC. Since their official end of commentary
on the NPRM for restructuring was 15 January 1999, that left them
nearly a year to decide on the final R&O.

FCC 06-178 only has to be fitted into the publication schedule of
the Federal Register to become effective...it's all set to go except
for the effective date. It's taken roughly a year for the FCC to
decide on that (give or take a few months).

Given much MORE important subjects before the FCC, such as
the recent decision to allow AT&T to buy BellSouth, amateur radio
pales in significance. All one needs to do is check the home page
of the FCC to see their workload on US civil radio regulations...it
isn't small and those regulations on non-amateur communications
subjects affect millions of Americans more than a hobby radio
activity. Amateur radio is lucky to get as quick decisions as with
other radio services at the FCC.

One thing for sure, it didn't seem that NCI was badgering the FCC
to decide...it took NCI about a week to post the news of the pending
FCC 06-178 R&O! No sweat with the ARRL...the League has two
groups in DC to pester the FCC, a Lobbying service and a legal
firm...they can get "advance" notice of things quicker than a non-
dues civilian group...makes them look as if they are "in the know."

One must be patient. eyebrows akimbo

LA