February 16, 2011

Appeal for Opinions on Ministerial Ordinance Plan for Partial Revision of Radio Engineer Regulations

Review of amateur radio technician state examination subjects (Means of Telecommunications (Morse Telegraphy))

In order to review amateur radio technician state examination subjects (Means of Telecommunications (Morse Telegraphy)), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has drawn up a ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of radio engineer regulations, bulletin plan for partial revision of related bulletins, and a reform proposal for Radio Law-related inspection standards.
Accordingly, an appeal for opinions on the ministerial ordinance plan will be conducted from February 17 (Thu) to March 18 (Fri), 2011.

1. Background

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) removed practical tests concerning Means of Telecommunications (Morse Telegraphy) from tertiary amateur radio technician state examinations in 2005, and the examinations were later revised to adopt a process of checking examinees' knowledge of Morse telegraphy through written law-related examinations.
  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) subsequently continued to discuss test procedure ideals for Means of Telecommunications (Morse Telegraphy) in amateur radio technician state examinations; however, in view of the fact that many Western countries have abolished Morse telegraphy proficiency tests for amateur radio technicians, the MIC compiled a review of primary and secondary amateur radio technician state examination subjects with the aim of alleviating the burden placed on examinees. An appeal was held for opinions on this review, in response to which 164 opinions were submitted.
  A ministerial ordinance plan for partial revision of radio engineer regulations has been drawn up based on the opinions received in response to this review plan, and opinions on this ministerial ordinance plan will be sought from February 17 (Thu) to March 18 (Fri), 2011.
  Also, presented here are reference examples of the primary and secondary amateur radio technician state examinations' “laws and regulations” examination question numbers, passing marks, examination times, and examination questions to confirm Morse code comprehension.

2. Outline of reform proposal

See enclosed documents.

3. Outline of appeal for opinions, etc.

Subjects of appeal
- A. Ministerial ordinance
  Ministerial Ordinance Plan for Partial Revision of Radio Engineer Regulations (1990 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Order No. 18) (see attachment)
- B. Bulletins
  - (A) Bulletin Plan for Partial Revision of 1990 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 273 (item establishing exemption from examinations for graduates from recognized schools who have passed radio engineer state examinations) (see attachment)
  - (B) Bulletin Plan for Partial Revision of 1990 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Bulletin No. 721 (item establishing test procedure for means of telecommunications) (see attachment)
  - (C) Examination standards
- Directive Plan for Partial Revision of Radio Law-related Examination Standards (2001 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Directive No. 67)
- Please note that these plans can be inspected at the address provided at the end of this document, and will also be published in the “Reports and documents” area of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) website as well as in the “Public comment” field of e-Gov, the electronic coordinated government contact website.
Deadline for submission of opinions
Must arrive by 17:00 on March 18 (Fri), 2011 (mailed submissions must bear a postmark of no later than this date)
Outline of appeal for opinions
See enclosed documents.

4. Schedule

Revision of the related laws and ordinances will be conducted based on the opinions received and the reply from the Radio Regulatory Council.