NEWSReport No. WT 95-26   WIRELESS TELECOM ACTION         October 4, 1995

              FCC AMENDS AMATEUR SERVICE RULES TO IMPLEMENT 
                         A VANITY CALL SIGN SYSTEM

     The FCC amended Part 97 of its Rules governing the Amateur Service to implement a
vanity call sign system.

     On December 23, 1994, the Commission adopted a Report and Order establishing a
system for the assignment of vanity call signs to amateur stations.  Today, the Commission
amends the rules to make minor revisions requested in the Petitions for Reconsideration.

     The FCC made three revisions that will improve the vanity call sign system.  They
are:
          
          1) establishing a special application filing gate, Gate 1A,  to provide licensed
              clubs the opportunity to obtain the call signs of deceased members;

          2) limiting requests for call signs designated for Alaska, Hawaii and the
              Caribbean and Pacific Insular areas to licensees mailing addresses in those
              areas; and

          3) limiting requests for vanity call signs to licensees of the corresponding, or
              higher, operator class.

     Action by the Commission September 21, 1995 by MO&O (FCC 95-402).  Chairman
Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Barrett, Ness and Chong.

                                  - FCC -

News Media contact: Stacey Reuben Mesa at (202) 418-0654.
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau contact: Maurice J. DePont at (202) 418-0690.