When the 5 WPM Morse code requirement officially disappeared from the Amateur Radio Service Part 97 rules on Friday, February 23, 2007, applicants for General or Amateur Extra class Amateur Radio licenses no longer had to demonstrate proficiency in Morse code. They just have to pass the applicable written examination.
The FCC has also ordered that all Technician licensees present and future, whether or not they've passed a Morse code test, now get CW privileges on 80, 40, and 15 meters and CW, RTTY, data, and SSB privileges on 10 meters. These privileges are identical to those of Novice licensees. Technicians may begin using their new privileges without any further action now that the new rules have gone into effect.
The first no-code license in the US was the Technician ticket, instituted in 1991.
Technicians can upgrade to General by passing the Element 3 written exam and to Amateur Extra by also passing the Element 4 written exam. No Morse code test will be required.
| Band | Frequency (MHz) | Mode | Max. Power (PEP) |
| 80 meters | 3.525 - 3.600 | CW | 200 watts |
| 40 meters | 7.025 - 7.125 | CW | 200 watts |
| 15 meters | 21.025 - 21.200 | CW | 200 watts |
| 10 meters | 28.000 - 28.300 | CW, RTTY, data | 200 watts |
| 28.300 - 28.500 | CW, SSB phone | 200 watts |
Any Amateur Radio licensee who wishes may use Morse code on any amateur frequencies they are authorized to use -- except the five USB-only channels at 5 MHz.
NOTE THAT FM TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED BY TECHNICIANS ON ANY HF BAND.
All radio amateurs are advised to know and fully understand their operating privileges before taking to the airwaves.
The ARRL has posted all relevant information on these important Part 97 rule revisions on its "FCC's Morse Code Report and Order WT Docket 05-235" Web page: www.arrl.org/fcc/morse/.
References:
ARRL Bulletin 30 ARLB030, December 16, 2006
The ARRL Letter, Vol. 26, No. 4, January 26, 2007
ARRL Bulletin 5 ARLB005, January 24, 2007
VE Express Newsletter, Dec. 22, 2006.