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.
