Israel Restructures But Retains Morse Requirement

RESTRUCTURING:  Israel restructures but retains high speed Morse

One of America's strongest allies in the Mid-East has restructured its Amateur Radio Service.  But unlike the rest of the world, Israeli telecommunications regulators have opted to continue testing for high speed Morse.  It's a complex situation, and as Q-News Graham Kemp, VK4BB reports, there are some in Israel who are wondering if ham radio in that nation will survive:

Mr. Daniel Rosenne, director of the Ministry of Communications says there has been a major revamp of privileges for the different license classes in Israeli amateur radio. 

Most Israeli amateurs had expected to see an easing of the Morse requirements in line with the U.S.A. and the U.K., among others, this has not happened. Thus Grade A's are still 16 w.p.m., B's at 12, C's and new D's need to pass 6 w.p.m.

-Grade C (Novice):
Operation on the entire CW sub bands of 14 and 28 MHz have been added to the already existing 7 and 21 MHz bands, with a new maximum power output of 100 watts (up from 15 watts).  Digital communications have been authorized on 28 MHz.  All-mode 2 meter and 70 centimeter privileges remain at 25 watts output.

-Grade B (General):
HF maximum power output has been upped to 250W, and 6 meters (50 & 50.2 MHZ) is permitted at 25 watts out.  Output has been increased to 25 W  on some of the microwave bands.  There are no more Grade B sub bands on HF, putting them on an equal footing in this respect with the Grade A's.

-Grade D (Code-Free Technical):
Extension of frequency privileges to include 6 meters, 1.2 and 5.6 GHz.

-Grade D+ (NEW CLASS):
Intended for Grade D's who pass the 6 w.p.m. code test. These amateurs will have, in addition to the Technical VHF-UHF privileges, all the HF privileges afforded to the Novice, Grade C, license.

-Grade A (Advanced-Extra):
Already enjoying maximum power and frequency privileges, there was nothing else to give to these 4X1 and 4Z1 people except the use of ISM on 2.4-2.45 and 5.275-5.875 GHz with the maximum EIRP of 100 milliwatts.

It now remains to be seen if these changes will do anything to change the downward trend in general interest in ham radio in Israel.  Since, at least at this time, one still needs 12 w.p.m. of Morse proficiency to get on HF voice, Hagal International News says ' these changes may be too little and too late'.

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