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1948 The. Military Amateur Radio System established, later renamed the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS). Forerunners of this system existed such as the Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) organized in November, 1925. MARS is a Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a separately managed and operated program by the Army , Navy, and Air Force. The program consists of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in military communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications.
1948 - VP7NG Bahamas - One of the first DX Expeditions. By W4NNN & Others in the 14th ARRL DX Competition. CQ sponsors its first contest -- The CQ WW Contest.
June 1949, Citizens Radio Service was established with frequencies in the 460-470 Mc band.
1949, the US amateur allocations in Mc8
3.5-4 CW 3.85-4 Phone, Class A only 220-225 CW/Phone
7-7.3 CW 420-450 CW/Phone (50 watt power limit)
14-14.35 CW 14.2-14.35 Phone, Class A only 1215-1295 CW/Phone
26.96-27.23 CW/Phone (shared service) 2300-2450 CW/Phone
28-29.7 CW 28.5-29.7 Phone 5250-5650 CW/Phone
50-54 CW/Phone 10000-10500 CW/Phone
144-148 CW/Phone 21000-22200 CW/Phone
1950 -- US Amateur population is near 90,000
1950's -1960's Amateurs are active with Radio Teletype (RTTY) and take advantage of the surplus market for equipment. Also see RTTY is not dead but I still remember.
1951 CONELRAD10[CONtrol of ELectronic RADiation] system established by President Truman. See Amateur Requirement Also See Conelrad.com
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July 1, 1951, the FCC eliminated the old Class A, Class B, and Class C licenses, and added three new classes of licenses Novice, Technician, and Amateur Extra. Now the license classes were Novice, Technician, Conditional, General, and Amateur Extra Class licenses. Advanced licenses apparently came later. Novices could get a one year, non-renewable license, which had a special 2x3 call sign with the letter N following the W, e.g., WN2ODC, WN6ISB. With an upgrade, the N was dropped. The Technician Class is created for experimentation, not communication, and has privileges only above 220 Mc. Conditional licenses were the same as general but given by mail, provided the applicant lived far enough away from the nearest FCC office.
Novice - 5 wpm code test, sending and receiving. Simplified written test on theory and regulations. No experience required or allowed - anyone who had previously held any class of amateur license was ineligible for a Novice. Extremely limited CW privileges in parts of the 80 and 11 meter bands, plus CW and phone privileges on part of 2 meters. 75 (or was it 50) watts maximum power input, crystal control only. One year license term, nonrenewable. Exams given at FCC examination points or by mail if conditions for mail exams were met. The Novice was intended to be a sort of "learner's permit" to help new hams get started.8
For a complete history of the Novice License - See Novice Historical Society Home Page
Technician - 5 wpm code test, sending and receiving. Basic written test on theory and regulations - same written test as General class. All amateur privileges above 220 MHz. Exams given at FCC examination points or by mail if conditions for mail exams were met. The Technician was meant for those who were more interested in VHF/UHF experimentation than HF operating. The proposed Class D license was implemented as the Technician.8
General (old Class B) - 13 wpm code test, sending and receiving. Basic written test on theory and regulations. Exam given at FCC examination points only. All amateur privileges EXCEPT 75 and 20 meter phone.8
Conditional (old Class C) - Same as General, except tests given by mail.8
Advanced (old Class A) - 13 wpm code test, sending and receiving. Basic and advanced written tests on theory and regulations. At least one year of experience as a General or Conditional licensee. Exam given at FCC examination points only. All amateur privileges. The Advanced was to be phased out and replaced by the Extra, and no new Advanced class tests were given after 1952. Holders of Advanced class licenses could renew and modify them indefinitely.8
Extra - 20 wpm code test, sending and receiving. Basic and higher level written tests on theory and regulations. At least two years of experience as a General, Conditional or Advanced licensee. Exam given at FCC examination points only. All amateur privileges.8
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1951 W6SAI, W8AH and others are among the first of the post war major DXpeditions, Andorra and Monaco. W6SAI, Bill Orr inspired new and veteran hams alike with his consistent encouragement and technical expertise. Amateur radio has benefited from numerous Bill Orr publications, many on Antennas - written in a very practical style. For many years W6SAI wrote the monthly "Radio Fundamentals" column in CQ magazine.
1952--The FCC permits phone operation on 40 meters, previously CW only. The 15 meter band is opened. The Advanced Class is withdrawn, although present holders can continue to renew. The retest requirement for Conditionals was dropped in 1952.
1952 RACES founded, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a public service provided by a reserve (volunteer) communications group within government agencies in times of extraordinary need.
1952 - 1956 SSB was making inroads on the ham bands.8 Central Electronics offered SSB gear in 1952. The Hallicrafters HT-30 was produced in 1954, The Collins KWS-1 transmitter was offered in 1955. So although perhaps not popular in the early 50's, the gear was available. Also See Ham Speak and Origins and Short History Of SSB
Early 1953 -- the FCC made a surprise about-face and announced that all amateur privileges would be granted to all holders of General, Conditional, Advanced and Extra class licenses. Novices got a place on 40 M.
Around 1953, the FCC was running out of W 1x3 call signs. So1x3 K calls began to be issued in the 48 states, with US possessions receiving 2x2 and 2x3 K calls. Novice calls in the 48 states continued to have the N (such as KN4LOD) which was dropped after upgrading. Had some reports of reissued calls about this time.
1953 Japanese VHF History A must read for VHFers.21
March 25, 1954 -- the first USA color TV sets made for consumers started rolling off the assembly line. Because they were initially too expensive and there was little color programming available, it took more than a decade for color television to become a household fixture. The RCA CT-100, introduced in March 1954, was the first mass-produced all-electronic color TV receiver. It's $1,000 price tag would be equivalent to about $6,000 in today's dollars.
1954 - VQ4ERR receives the first phone WAZ award.
1954 The Novice and Technician licenses became so popular that the FCC made them available by mail only. 50 kHz of 20 meters was lost to other services. and the distance requirement for a Conditional license was reduced to 75 miles.
In 1955, Technicians are given 6 meter privileges. By 1956 there were over 140,000 US hams, and growth was exceeding 10,000 per year
160 meters was returned to hams in a very limited fashion. There was a complex chart describing amateur privileges, depending on geographic location. There were power limits based on location and time of day, ranging from 1000 watts to 25 watts. It was confusing, but better than losing the band altogether.
1955 - 1963 Danny Weil Dxpeditions - Starts from England and in 8 years gives contacts from 30 different countries including -- Canal Zone, Tahiti, Canton Island, Nauru, Solomon Is./Guadalcanal, Buck Isl/Tortola, Br.Virg.Is., Madeira, Aves, Buck Island, St. Kitts, Antigua, Montserrat, Anguilla, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Kingstown, Grenada, Trinidad, Jamaica, Baja Nuevo, Galapagos, Marquesa, Nukuhiva, Tahiti, S. Cook, Raratonga
The US amateur allocations in 19568
1.8-1.825 1.875-1.925 1.975-2 CW/Phone (Subject to geographic and power limitations) (Technicians had all privileges above 30 MHz except 144-148) 3300-3500 CW/Phone
3.5-4 CW 3.8-4 Phone Novices 3.7-3.75 CW 50-54 CW/Phone 5650-5925 CW/Phone
7-7.3 CW 7.2-7.3 Phone Novices 7.15-7.2 CW 144-148 CW/Phone Novices 145-147 CW/Phone 10000-10500 CW/Phone
14-14.35 CW 14.2-14.3 Phone 220-225 CW/Phone 21000-22000 CW/Phone
21-21.45 CW 21.25-21.45 Phone Novices 21.1-21.25 CW 420-450 CW/Phone (50 watt power limit) All above 30000 CW/Phone
26.96-27.23 CW/Phone 1215-1300 CW/Phone
28-29.7 CW 28.5-29.7 Phone 2300-2450 CW/Phone
About 1956-1958, the FCC started to run out of 1x3 K and W calls in some districts and began re-issuing expired W and K calls before going to the WA's. For example, when K2ZZZ was issued, they went back and re-issued some expired W2 and K2 calls. Up until this point, a normal sequential call sign was always a 'first issue'. At some point, 1958 or so, perhaps when all available expired calls had been re-issued, the FCC began issuing 2x3 WA calls, then WB as necessary. Novices were given WV instead of WN. The V would change to an A or B upon upgrading. A few years later, the FCC reverted back to the Novice N scheme. With the uneven amateur population in the ten call districts, it took time for the K calls to run out in the some areas. In some districts, K calls were issued as late as 1964.
1957 W6NLZ contacts KH6UK via tropospheric ducting. Two years later, they achieve contact on 220Mhz.
From 1957 to 1962 there existed a set of regulations commonly referred to by hams as Conelrad10 Hams were required to monitor a local broadcast station at intervals of 10 minutes or less whenever they were operating, and if the broadcast station went off the air due to an emergency, hams had to leave the air as well.
In September, 1958, the Class D Citizens Band is opened and Amateurs lost the shared use of 11 meters. USA Amateur population is about 160,000.
Late 1950'S -- Log Periodic Antennas -- the ARRL Antenna Book Chapter 10, written by L.B. Cebik, W4RNL, attributes the LPDA to D.E. Isbell at the University of Illinois in the late 1950s.
In 1959, Technicians get the middle part of 2 meters (145-147 Mc).
1960 - first two-way EME contact on 1296 MHz is achieved. See Earth-Moon-Earth Communications.
1960 - 1970 Gus Browning12 (W4BPD) The first DXer elected to the Dx Hall of Fame. Operated from over 100 countries. Dxpeditions included --- Seychelles, Somalia, Monaco, Aldabra, Cosmoldo, Assumption, Chagos, Burundi, Ruanda, Gough, Tristan da Cunha, Bouvet, Basutoland, Swaziland, Mauritius, Reunion, Juan de Nova, Comores, Madagascar, Tromelin, Glorieuses, Europa, Somaliland, Kamaran, Yemen, Aden, Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim, Nepal, Afghanistan, Kuria-Muria, Pakistan, Laos, Thailand, China, Lebanon, Jordan, Faroer, Luxembourg, Togo, Dahomey/Benin, Mauretania, Volta, Mali, Venezuela, Senegal, Gambia, Rodriquez, Bertaut Reef, Etoile Cay, Boudeuse Cay, Kenia, Comores, Geyser Reef, Farquhar, Agalega, Blenheim Reef, Chagos, Aldabra, Geyser Reef. Gus learned to write left handed so he could send CW with the right.
1961 - December 12. First amateur satellite, Oscar1, is shot into orbit.
1961 - Present OH2BH Martti Laine one of the most accomplished DXers of our time. Only person to be elected to both the DX Hall of Fame and Contest Hall of Fame. Among his many DX operations were: 3CAN, OJMR, SRASD, 4J1FS, BV9P, BS7H, P5/OH2AM, 6T1YP, ST2FF/ST, JY8BH, ZA1A, XZ1A, 3D2AM, ZS9Z/ZS1, and XF4L. He has visited more than 115 countries.
1962 June 2, OSCAR II was launched. For a complete history of Amateur Radio Satellites and details of operation, see the AMSAT pages.
1962 - 1982 Geoff Watts12 only non-ham elected to the to the CQ DX Hall of Fame. Eminent British short-wave listener Geoff Watts was the founder and long-term editor (1962-1982) of The DX News Sheet, and in 1964 Geoff Watts created the IOTA (Islands-On-The-Air) Award.
1962 - 1967 Don Miller W9WNV12 Dxpeditions, So. Korea, Rota, Douglas Reef, Cambodia, South Vietnam, Western Samoa, New Hebrides, China, Indonesia, Burma, Thailand, Spratly Island, Ebon Atoll, Tokelaus, Cormoran Reef, Fiji Islands, Niue, Wallis Island, Minerva Reef, MariaTheresa, North Cook, Suvarrow Atoll, Heard, Australia, Laos, St.Peter & St.Paul Rocks, Navassa , Serrana Bank, Bajo Nuevo, Desroches Island, Farquhar, Comoro Island, Aldabra, Glorioso, Geyser Reef, Chagos Island, Blenheim Reef, Laccadives, India, Norfolk Island, Mauritius, Quatre Bornes, St.Brandon (Cargados Carajos Shoals), Raphael Isl., Rodriguez, Cocos-Keeling, Malagasy Republic, Nelsons Island.
Over the years, many of the well known DXers include: K2GL, KH6IJ, G3FXB, OH2BH, W8IMZ, W3GRF, W3GM, W4BPD, W1WY, W2PV, W3AU, K3ZO, W9WNV, W4KFC, W7RM, W1BIH, PY5EG, W6QD, N6TJ, S50A, N6AA, K1EA, OH2MM, K4VX, K3EST, W6RR, ON4UN, LU8DQ, K1AR, N4MM, VP2ML, W6AM, KV4AA, W1FH, W6RGG, W6RJ, W1CW, W6ISQ, W6OAT, W6KG, W6QL. Many of these were inducted into the CQ DX Hall Of Fame. Editor Note , Use search engine http://www.google.com/ to find more information on these famous DXers.N6AW suggests W8CRA & W6GRL could be added to this group. In the 30's, 40's, 50's & 60's they were very well known. Side note N6AA & N6TJ are talented & well-known contesters, however, you will never hear them in a DX pileup.
Other notables in the field of Amateur Radio besides those mentioned throughout are: K7UGA, US Senator Barry Goldwater, staunch Amateur radio advocate;W1ICP, Lew McCoy, writer, antenna expert; W1FB, Doug Demaw, writer; W2NSD, Wayne Greene, editor; W4RNL, L B Cebik, program developer; K6STI, Brian Beezly, program developer; W7EL, Roy Lewallen, program developer; KH7M, Jim Reid, propagation expert; W3WRE, Louise Moureau , historian; W1BB, Stu Perry, low band pioneer; W3HNK, Joe Arcure, preeminent QSL manager and many Celebrity Hams.
1963 The E.B.S. - Emergency Broadcasting System is established .23
In 1963, the CBers outnumber the Ham Population. The number of US hams exceeded 250,000.
From the 1963 Novice Study Guide: "Requirements for the Novice license are the passing of a code test in sending and receiving at the rate of 5 words per minute, and a written examination in the most elementary aspects of amateur regulations and theory. The privileges which are currently available to the Novice licensee are: 3700 3750 kc. - telegraphy, 7150-7200 kc. - telegraphy, 21,100-21,250 kc. - telegraphy 145-147 MC. --telegraphy or voice. In addition, the transmitter used by a Novice licensee must be crystal-controlled, and may not have an input exceeding 75 watts. Of course, the Novice may operate portable or mobile on any of these frequencies. Thus a Novice not only is unable to renew his license at
the end of his term, but he may not again apply for Novice privileges."
1964 Alaskan Earthquake Magnitude 9.2., one of the worst in US History, Hams are key elements in communications as they have always been.
1964 - Geoff Watts12 created the IOTA (Islands-On-The-Air) Award.
1960's - 1970's Equipment design is changing rapidly, solid state equipment is offered and many transceivers are SSB. For an excellent paper on equipment evolution as well as Ham Radio History -- see 50 Years of US Amateur Radio Licensing by James P. Miccolis, N2EY. Items with the superscript 8 are from N2EY and have been incorporated into this history with permission. Examples of Radio Equipment of the past can be seen in the Antique Radio Section. Also see 1945.
Mid-to-late 1960's -- A bit of vintage ham radio history and the start of amateur repeater operation CLICK HERE
In 1967, the FCC announced Incentive Licensing and over the next 2 years, General and Conditional operators lost portions of the 75-15 meter phone bands, the Advanced Class is reopened to new applicants, Extra and Advanced Class operators get subbands on 80-15 and 6 meters, the Novice license term is extended to two years, however Novices lose their 2 meter phone privileges.
By 1968, amateur access to 160 meters was increased significantly. US hams got access to 1800 to 2000 kHz - but still subject to complex geographical and power limitations.
1968, May -- Hugh Cassidy WA6AUD publishes the West Coast DX Bulletin. His stories and use of "DX IS!" becomes legend. Stories of "The QRPer, Palos Verdes Sun Dancers, and Red Eyed Louie" can be found at K2CD's fine pages. 18-Jul-79 is Cass's last issue, however VE1DX continues the WA6AUD style -- at the K2CD site.
Late 1960's Amateurs start to build 6M FM repeaters and by the mid 1970's, many repeaters are in operation.
Effective Nov. 22, 1968 Incentive Licensing plan8
Phase 1 Nov 22, 1968 Phase II, Nov 22, 1969
Extra Class Only: (MHz):
3.5 - 3.525 CW
3.8-3.825 Phone
7 - 7.025 CW
14 - 14.025 CW
21 - 21.025 CW
21.250 - 21.275 Phone Extra Class Only: (MHz):
3.5 - 3.525 CW
3.8 - 3.825 Phone
7 - 7.025 CW
14 - 14.025 CW
21 - 21.025 CW
21.25 - 21.275 Phone
Extra and Advanced Classes Only:
3.825 - 3.85 Phone
7.2 - 7.225 Phone
14.2 - 14.235 Phone
21.275 - 21.3 Phone
50 - 50.1 CW Extra and Advanced Classes Only:
3.825 - 3.9 Phone
7.2 - 7.25 Phone
14.2 - 14.275 Phone
21.275 - 21.35 Phone
50 - 50.1 CW
As older hams became Silent Keys and the number of available 1x2 calls increased, the FCC instituted a program effective in 1968 whereby those licensed for 25 years and currently holding an Extra license would be eligible for a non-specific (sequential) 1x2 callsign. The length of time one needed to be an Extra was gradually reduced, until July 1977, when any Extra Class could apply for a 1x2.
1968 - The FCC authorizes SSTV in the Advanced/Extra Class subbands. Generals and
Conditionals are authorized later.
1969 First two-way amateur television contact between the U.S. and Europe is achieved. AMSAT (The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) is founded. AMSAT is a worldwide group of Amateur Radio Operators who share an active interest in building, launching and then communicating with each other through non-commercial Amateur Radio satellites.
By 1970 there were about 270,000 US hams. Japanese Transceivers begin to make inroads in the Amateur Radio market
1970, November -- JA1MRS contacted W6ABN and WB6UYG on 6 Meters from History of VHF in Japan
By 1970 - The USA is starting to use the metric system more and more and Mc and kc is gradually replaced with Hertz -- MHz and kHz. Often asked is why kilo is not capitalized -- and its because K is for degrees in Kelvin.
1970 While many vie for DX the furthest with the mostest, QRP (low power enthusiasts) are challenged by the furthest with the leastest. The long-distance low power record is held by KL7YU and W7BVV using one MicroWatt over a 1,650 mile Ten Meter path between Alaska and Oregon in 1970. This is the equivalent of 1.6 BILLION Miles per Watt!! More QRP pages.
1972 The Northern California DX Foundation is established to assist in worthwhile amateur radio, DX and scientific projects with funding and equipment. Although the words "Northern California" still appear in its title, the activities of the Foundation are international in scope rather than regional. Also see NCDXF/IARU International Beacon Network. AND Early History Of The NCDXF Beacon Network.
Other DX Foundations and sponsors includes Chiltern DX-Club, Clipperton DX-Club, Danish DX-Group, DX Family Foundation, DX-Lovers Foundation, EUDXF, French DX-Foundation, INDEXA, LADX-Group, LYNX DX-Group, Lake Wettern DX-Group, NCDXF, RSGB DX-Fund, and the Satellite DX Foundation. In addition, many DX Clubs sponsor member IOTA and DXpeditions. Radio manufacturers over the years have also generously donated equipment and support of DX operations.
1972 -- FCC expands the Technician 2 meter allocation to 145-148 MHz. Novices operators are authorized to use a transmitter with a VFO, Date was around Nov 22, 1972. A national bandplan is announced for 2 meter FM , the national simplex frequency is established at 146.520 and the FCC released the first repeater rules. Logging requirements are relaxed.
In 1972, the FCC widened the HF phone bands which reduced much of the impact of incentive licensing.
1972 US ham bands8
1.8-2 CW/Phone (Subject to geographic and power limitations) 21-21.45 CW 21.25-21.45 Phone
Novices 21.1-21.25 CW
Extra only: 21-21.025 21.25-21.27
Extra & Advanced only: 21.27-21.35 2300-2450 CW/Phone
3300-3500 CW/Phone
3.5-4 CW 3.775-4 Phone
Novices 3.7-3.75 CW
Extra only: 3.5-3.525 3.775-3.8
Extra and Advanced only: 3.8-3.9 28-29.7 CW 28.5-29.7 Phone
Novices 28.1-28.2 CW 5650-5925 CW/Phone
7-7.3 CW 7.15-7.3 Phone
Novices 7.1-7.15 CW
Extra only: 7-7.025
Extra and Advanced only: 7.15-7.225 50-54 CW 50.1-54 CW/Phone
(Technicians had all privileges above 30 MHz except 144-145) 10000-10500 CW/Phone
14-14350 CW 14.2-14.35 Phone
Extra only: 14-14.025
Extra and Advanced only: 14.2-14.275 144-148 CW 144.1-148 Phone
220-225 CW/Phone
420-450 CW/Phone
1215-1300 CW/Phone 21000-22000 CW/Phone
All above 40000 CW/Phone
1972 Sept 9th, - The Palomar Amateur Radio Club in San Diego, CA received the coordination for their 146.730 all vacuum tube repeater on Palomar Mountain from the newly established Southern California repeater coordination body in Los Angeles at their first conference although the club had been successfully operating a test repeater in a garage in Vista during 1971. The duplexer was made from discarded shell casings obtained from a Navy Battleship.
1973 - The waiting period for an Extra class license was reduced to a year.
1974 - WR prefixes began to appear on repeater callsigns.
In 1976 for the USA Bicentennial year there was a special callsign system that all hams could use as a option. W's became AC's, WA's became AA's, etc. Some of the Pacific islands and territories had some pretty weird calls (weird for that time, anyway.) Larry, K3LZ writes: "The K prefix was permitted to use the prefix "AD". (If I remember correctly, WBs could use "AB".) For the entire Bicentennial year, I used the call "AD3KPV" instead of my regular call (at the time) K3KPV". N6AW reports the published criteria for these calls were: WA = AA, WB = AB, W = AC, K = AD. I was AB6PNB; received N6AW the following spring.
In 1976, the WN calls were eliminated. Around this time the FCC was issuing N 1x2 calls to extras. N6AW reports I believe that these were first issued in mid-January, 1977. (N6AA, AR, AV, CW, ZZ, etc). My call was issued mid-March, 1977.
Effective July 1, 1976, any Extra class licensee who had been a licensed Amateur for 25 years or more could select one specific 1x2 call sign. This added the ability to pick a specific call, but did not change eligibility.
Effective October 1, 1976, anyone who had held an Amateur Extra class license prior to November 22, 1967, could select one specific 1x2 call sign.
Effective January 1, 1977, anyone who had held an Amateur Extra class license prior to July 2, 1974, could select one specific 1x2 call sign.
Effective April 1, 1977, anyone who held an Amateur Extra class license prior to July 1, 1976, could select one specific 1x2 call sign.
Effective July 1, 1977, any Amateur Extra class licensee could select one specific 1x2 call sign. Effective March 30, 1978 this was all replaced by the strict "sequential" system until the advent of "vanity" call sign selection in March 24, 1995. However Lee - K0WA reports that the vanity call signs were cut off on December 31, 1977 (if I remember correctly). I earned my Extra that summer and debated on whether or not to change the call. I decided to do so on December 24, 1977. I had called up the Midwest Director, who at the time, kept a list of calls that were open. He had a friend at the FCC who faxed him a list each week of what calls were still open. At the time, you could ask for a call on a first come first serve basis. I sent in the application with 12 calls typed on a plain piece of paper attached to the application. I sent it air-mail! I called in the middle of the week to the FCC if my application had gotten there and they told me it had, but would not tell me anything else. Just under the wire. I got my present call which I was surprise to see that it was open. Great CW call. 73 Lee K0WA.
Extras continued to be permitted to select a call, in sequence, from any call sign group. That ability was not extended to other licensees until later. N9AKE reports -- when the FCC announced that Extras could ask for a new call in any group (around August, I think), I asked for a Group C call and received N9AKE, which I held until 1996, now K4QG.
By 1977 there were 327,000 US hams. Portable and mobile identification requirements were eliminated, "instant upgrades" became available, and license fees were abolished. The code sending test was waived and repeater rules were simplified further.
1977-- A new repeater subband is established at 144.5-145.5 MHz. Technicians are given privileges on144.5-148 MHz, and have Novice privileges. All hams were limited to 250 watts in the Novice subbands. Novices can operate with power up to 250 watts. The mail order Technician license is eliminated and new applicants must appear before the FCC. The Conditional class is abolished. The waiting period for an Extra class license was eliminated.
1978 saw the Novice license term extended to 5 years and made renewable, the Conditional class license abolished (existing Conditionals became Generals), and secondary station licenses were abolished. ASCII and other standard data codes were authorized for amateur use. Technicians got all privileges above 50 MHz. WR repeater callsigns are phased out. Prior to this time, when a ham upgraded, the privileges of the new license class could not be used until the actual license arrived in the mail - usually six to eight weeks after the test was passed. "Instant upgrading" ended the wait by allowing hams to immediately use their new privileges by adding a "temporary identifier" at the end of their call, which would signify that they had recently upgraded. No more waiting weeks for the actual license to arrive in the mail.
By the mid 70's some call areas ran out of WB callsigns. The FCC recycled older WA and WB calls (but not consistently). Then at the FCC's whim or maybe when the recyclables ran out, they issued WD#xxx calls. WC was reserved for RACES/ Civil Defense stations.
In 1978-1979, Technicians receive all privileges above 50 MHz. Novice licenses are renewable. The World Administrative Radio Conference, (WARC-79) grants Amateurs three new bands at 10, 18, and 24 MHz, to be phased in over the next 10 years. 30 meter power to be limited to 200 Watts. In 1978 the FCC banned the manufacture and sale of amplifiers that could be used in the 24-35 MHz region, but a licensed amateur could still homebrew an amplifier, or modify a manufactured one to cover 10 meters. Hams were limited to one amplifier per year, however.
Somewhere in this period (late 1970s), the requirement to change callsigns when moving to a different district was removed. No longer could a US ham's location be determined solely by the callsign. W3HF Note This actually happened in the late 70s, coincident with the new callsign system you discuss under 1978-9. (This was significant to me at the time. I had received WA2FKS while in college in 1976. When I got my license, the old rules were still in effect. But by the time I graduated in 1979, they had changed, and I could take WA2FKS with me to California.) My 1976 License Manual, for example, states that when moving from one district to another, you would get a new callsign. N6AW reports I believe that this was instituted in 1977.
Somewhere in the late 70's, (1977) 2x2 A calls were issued to extras, e.g., (The method of issuance is uncertain -- some requested specific callsigns were issued -- others sequential). They were added as an option to 1x2's for any Extra class licensee when the 2nd, 4th and 6th call area ran out of 1x2's. When the "any call you want" rule went away, so did 2x2's beginning with "A". This didn't last long see 2x1's below. (Note from W3HF -- 2x2s actually first showed up in 1977. I have AA4AA and AA4US in the Winter 77-8 book, under "Stop Press." I think these were some of the last callsigns issued under the old pseudo-vanity program for Extras, before that was terminated in 1978, as they came out before the 2x1s. N6AW reports I believe that these were first issued in early 1977. AA6AA, Steve Oreland, had one of the earliest ones issued. His buddy, Alan, K6YRA would know the exact date.
-----------------------------------------
Before March 28, 1978, extra applicants received the 1x2 calls still available. After March 28, 1978, Section 97.51 required amateur station call signs to be issued systematically. Extra applicants received an A prefixed 2x1 callsign e.g., AA6E which was issued 5-26-1978, AA6H about June 7, 1978, AA6G in May 1978, AA6I on June 13, 1978. Depending where in California the test was taken. AA2E issued 5/26/78. AC6V was licensed 7-20-1978 at 2:30 in the afternoon!
Later this is extended to 2x1 K, N, W calls, (In that Order) e.g., KA6A issued 11/24/78, NU8I, August 1986, NX7U early 87, WA6H issued 4-9-79. Here you can see variations in dates due to some districts running out of a block well before others.
2x2 K calls were given to Advanced class and 1x3 N calls were allotted to
Generals and Techs. When the 2x1 extra calls ran out, (in 6 land around
1994).
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