FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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AF!
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April 1, 2004
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Wasshington, DC, April 1, 2004:
In a bold move the Federal Communications Commission has decided to deregulate the Amateur Radio Service. This comes at a time when budget cuts within the Commission are forcing its Enforcement Bureau to shut down by 1 January 2005.
A spokesperson for the Commission stated that since Amateur Radio operators are supposed to be self-policing that this new move "should not pose a problem". And that it would also "solve the whole issue of restructuring".
This news has come as quite a shock to many in the Amateur Radio community, striking up many heated debates. "Basically we're being told that we're on our own as of 1 January, 2008", said a high-level League staff member.
In the interim between 2004 and 2008 Amateur Radio operators are expected to act just as they do now. "Nothing's changed yet, and all the rules and regulations are still in effect," said a spokesperson for the Commission.
All of this is set to change however, starting in 2008. On 1 January 2008 Amateur Radio in the United States will cease to exist as an official radio service. At that time it will be up to the operators to make up their own rules and regulations and to enforce them.
To clarify one other issue, "call signs that have not already been issued will all be available on the 'honor system'," said another Commission spokesperson. The band-plans and power limitations are expected to stay the same.
Look for more information on this late-breaking news story as it becomes available.
On another note... If you're still reading this, April Fools!!! :^)
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by N4QA on April 1, 2004
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Cute.
But I shouldn't laugh *too* hard...
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KE7FD on April 1, 2004
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I'm still laughing...
Ouch! That was a good one guys.
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by N4JOY on April 1, 2004
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Wow, after reading the article early this morning let me just say that I'm now wide awake!
Nice April Fools joke!
Chris, N4JOY
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W0MHK on April 1, 2004
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The way the WORLD is "going", you had me convinced!!!
Excellent piece of writing!!!!!!!!!!
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KV4BL on April 1, 2004
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You guys, ROCK!!!!!!! This is the best AF article I think I've ever seen, anywhere!!! I had gotten to about the second paragraph of this very believable article and was in a total state of denial and shock when it hit me what today is. I remember thinking that all the predictions of doom and colapse had finally come to pass. Thought it might happen, but not this soon! Good work and thanks for the relieved laughs! 73, Ray KV4BL
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by K5DVW on April 1, 2004
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"Federall", is that the radio version of the Mexican Federale?
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by VE2CU on April 1, 2004
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Ouch!!! It hurts...got a tooth ache but can't stop laughing...
Michel VE2CU
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W5LSD on April 1, 2004
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Sounds like a perfectly realistic last step in the
dumbdown trend.
You dont think this upcoming dumbdown will be the last one do you ?
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KD5HUS on April 1, 2004
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My question is, will they still collect the license fee for our call signs. Nothing like the government collecting money for nothing.... ha ha.
Loved the article. Its like be carefull for what you wish for, It might come true.
thanks for making my day!!!
regards
Mark
KD5HUS in Puerto Rico...
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by NE0P on April 1, 2004
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Unfortunately, this doesn't seem like too much of an April Fools joke. After all, we are in the era of "Give a ham license to anyone who wants one, or the hobby dies" thinking. Removing most licensing requirements (like has been proposed by the NCVEC) is a step in that direction. Remember the NCVEC also wants to eliminate mode subbands and make us "self-Policing" in that area.
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KC4ZGP on April 1, 2004
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...In a bold move the Federall Communications...
I knew it was a joke all the time. He misplled Federal.
One must tune up pretty early to fool me. N'yuk, n'yuk.
Kraus
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KZ1A on April 1, 2004
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Given what is going on with the Federal government these days, you really had me going there.
Can you imagine the debaccle if that were to happen.
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by K3QN on April 1, 2004
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Well you got me. But did get a chuckle at end. Just glad hadn't had lunch yet. But really not surprised to anything our FCC will come up with. PBL among other thing,s.
Fool me once shame on you / Fool me twice shame you
73 Gerald
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by WA4ET on April 1, 2004
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Now this explains the FCC position on BPL,,,I knew they had an hidden agenda :)
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KR4OW on April 1, 2004
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That was good Had my heart just a going
David
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KD7ZRO on April 1, 2004
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Now that was a good one. If it were not for the mis-spelling in Federall (which I think was intentional) I would not have been laughing while reading this! It was a great story! WORTHY FOR THE ONION! But this is what happened to the CB, better not laugh to hard.
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by AI4BZ on April 1, 2004
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NICE!!!--OK, my jaw dropped when I saw this one. LOL.
73,
Tom--AI4BZ
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by N2NZJ on April 1, 2004
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very realistic and well written. you got me for a bit. 73 TOM N2NZJ
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by K4HI on April 1, 2004
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Hey guys,
I was just about to trade in this Yaesu rig and all for one of them thar' Cobra 40 channels with extra channels and an echo mic, of course with the roger beeeeeep!
Then you drop the bomb on me as an April Fools joke...I guess I will have to continue proper radio procedures and enjoy the fresh air on the HF bands. Besides, didn't Ham Radio go out with C.W. ??? Just a thought! Have a nice day guys and of course ..girls...73 and happy DXing.!
Clark K4HI South Carolina
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by WA2TPU on April 1, 2004
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OH MY GOD!! NOW EVEN CB'ERS WILL BECOME EXTRA CLASS!!
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by N3GH on April 1, 2004
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good one indeed,, had me all torqued up!!!!
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by AB7R on April 1, 2004
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You Butt wipe!!! That was excellent! Bone Head!
Respectfully,
Greg
AB7R
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by K3QS on April 1, 2004
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Actually, when I saw it was from AF! on April 1, 2004, I didn't believe it for a second.
(wouldn't surprise me though)
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W1NK on April 1, 2004
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Ok... who has a defibrillator I can borrow?
Good one!
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W3BUG on April 1, 2004
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WoooooHoooooo !! Can we get this published on some of the CB forums ??? That should get their eagle-call mics clicking. BTW, my ticket renews in 2010, does that mean I get a pro-rated refund ??
Scott- W3BUG
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by K4CMD on April 1, 2004
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Couldn't you come up with a DIFFERENT April Fool's joke this year???
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by K3AN on April 1, 2004
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K4CMD is right. This is a repeat of last year's April Fool article on eham. I guess I should be flattered ;-)
K3AN
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W5GNB on April 1, 2004
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Well, I really think the joke is on the author, It seems to be more TRUE than one could imagine with the totally incompetent FCC in charge of our air waves!!
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W3DCG on April 1, 2004
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I am a Fool! You bagged me big time. Yes, Bravo.
Being off-line, and still QRT after having moved this weekend, I come back, read this, heart pounding heavily, respiration up, the whole nine yards...
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by OLDFART13 on April 1, 2004
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It appears that NCI, W5YI, and NCVEC have finally gotten their way.
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KL7IPV on April 1, 2004
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Very cute! But tell me when the FCC ever did anything BOLD. Unfortunately, after BPL, NOTHING coming from the FCC would surprise me anymore. Good AF joke though. Be still my heart.
73
Frank
KL7IPV
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W6VPS on April 1, 2004
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Now that my blood pressure has dropped back into the normal range I can laugh. But before I reached the end I must say I was getting mighty agitated. Good one gang..you got me big time on this one.
73 / Paul
W6VPS.
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by WI4CW on April 1, 2004
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LOL - Dam good one there! My wife had to pry my fingers out of the ceiling overhead....
Take care all,
God Bless and 73 de Ken
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by W7DUD on April 1, 2004
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Good Grief:
I read this article quickly, and had to take an Ibuprophen. I am glad there is no Alcohol in this house! So much for "Speed Reading"
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W0DLR on April 1, 2004
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I passed my General Class exam in front of the FCC in St. Louis, Mo. in 1967 I believe it was. At that time "Incentive Licensing" was in the talking/doing stages. The only study guide was a 1965 Handbook, you studied the thing until you thought you could pass the test. There were no sample study questions, and a 13 WPM code test. As I recall I hadnt been licensed long until the Incentive Licensing was passed, and I lost privileges. You can guess how I feel now being lopped in with "no coders". I'd like to see a lot of these Extra Class licensees pass an exam by just studying the Handbook and have no idea what the questions might be. Dont be surprised at what lies in wait for us on down the road. Probably a total of four questions. No. 1, Do you have 220 available for a "leenyar"
No. 2, Do you have the Toll Free number to Kenwood
No. 3, Do you have the Toll Free number to Yaesu
No. 4, Do you have the Toll Free number to Icom.
Got those, you passed! Now turn 'er on and "broadcast".
I have no doubt I could pass the Extra Class exam if I wanted too, but at this point, who gives a damn, I dont.
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W1NDH on April 1, 2004
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Thank you "Hugo". Till I got past the second or so sentence you could have had me fooled.
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KK6PJ on April 1, 2004
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I have been trying to come up with a good april fools day prank to play on some one all day and low and behold if I wasn't the one to be played.
That was a good article. You sure had me scared.
The reason why it is so good though,and this is the scarry part, is because it is so believable.
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W1NRA on April 1, 2004
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Jokes aside.
It wouldn't surprise me, if this doesn't happen in the next ten years or so anyway. Just like the CB garbage of years past and now. Seems most of the hams over the last few years are PROFESSIONAL CB'ers anyway. BONEHEAD technicians at best. I also think the ARRL is becoming a sham and could care less about the Amateurs of years gone by. Like everything else in this country, it just boils down to "how many bucks can we put in our pockets". Government, education, health plans, etc. Take your insurance card to a hospital and see their eyes light up. Then listen to the bells ring as many of them overcharge your insurance for every dime they can get away with. I am a member of the ARRL but when it runs out I'll have to think about whether I want to renew or not. It looks doubtful as of now.
I just hope that when they do open the license classes to these boneheads, that they do reserve at least some of the Extra segments to real HAMS.
You can't take anything away from the old hams who really used to have a strong knowledge of electronics theory and when they were tested they had to know about circiuts and what the components did and what happened if they went bad. Really a sad day that the new hams (tech class) need to know NOTHING about electronics AT ALL. Just remember the test questions long enough to take the test. AND take the test over and over as long as they have the money to take it again.
Oh well, nothing that hasn't already been said.
W1NRA, ex NAVY ELECTRONICS TECH, RADAR. USS AMERICA 65-68.
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by KC2GNQ on April 2, 2004
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Got me too! Have to admit, this sounded really plausible!!!
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FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by N9CYS on April 2, 2004
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You guys scared the &*(% outta me! The thought of Newington, CT handing out licenses in return for memberships almost stopped my heart! Almost started posting my gear on ebay! Being "grandfathered" into CB gave me a shiver. Shame on you! ;o)
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by KF4HQZ on April 2, 2004
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I almost cried. Its sad too because its not even April 1 anymore!
Phew!
KF4HQZ
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by AA6KC on April 3, 2004
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Outrage!
Who’s going to clean up the mouthful of coffee I blew all over my keyboard, my brand new monitor, and my Final Edition D-104 Silver Eagle lollipop? Huh? Huh?
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by W4AIN on April 12, 2004
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"OH MY GOD!! NOW EVEN CB'ERS WILL BECOME EXTRA CLASS!! "
In my experience, that should be an improvement over many extra class operators that I have heard on the low bands.
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RE: FCC to Deregulate Amateur Radio by 2008:
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by N4CUZ on May 29, 2004
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Sunny beaches!!! You punched my clock! LOL! Ooowee!
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