FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 June 22, 2009 DA 09-1378 Mr. Jack Najork 2517 Hiway 31 Hubbard, TX 76648 Re: May 6, 2009 petition Dear Mr. Najork: This is in response to your May 6, 2009 petition concerning signal reports transmitted by amateur stations that are participating in contests.1 Specifically, you request that the Commission sanction the American Radio Relay League, Inc., (ARRL) for not taking any action to prohibit or discourage “false 5- 9 blanket reporting.”2 In your petition, you state that contest signal reports have become “wholesale liar’s exchanges,” and express the concern that the ARRL has “targeted newly licensed radio amateurs with articles in QST to insure they learned and followed this sham reporting system.”3 For the reasons set forth below, we decline to take the requested action. Section 97.111(a)(1) of the Commission’s Rules authorizes amateur stations to transmit two-way communications necessary to exchange messages with other stations in the amateur service.4 As you note, the message exchanged between stations in contests is specified by the contest sponsor, and generally consists of a call sign and a signal report.5 With regard to your concern that the operator of an amateur station may transmit as part of the message a signal report that is not accurate, we note that there is no rule in Part 97 that requires a station to transmit a report of the signal received or that specifies the standard for reporting signal quality. The Commission does not regulate amateur contests; rather, they are self-administered by the amateur community.6 Consequently, we believe that your concerns should be directed to the contest sponsors. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 4(i) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 154(i), and Section 1.41 of the Commission’s Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.41, the petition submitted by Jack Najork on May 6, 2009, IS DENIED. 1 Petition by Jack Najork (filed May 6, 2009) (Petition). 2 Id. at 3. For voice transmissions, a "signal report" consists of two numbers indicating the readability and strength of the transmitting station's signal at the receiving station. Readability is reported using a scale of 1-5, and signal strength is reported using a scale of 1-9, with higher numbers indicating a more readable or stronger received signal. 3 Id. at 2. 4 47 C.F.R. § 97.111(a)(1). 5 See Petition at 1. 6 See Amendment of Part 97 of the Commission’s Rules to Implement WRC-03 Regulations Applicable to Requirements for Operator Licenses in the Amateur Radio Service, Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order, WT Docket No. 05-235, 20 FCC Rcd 13247, 13266 n.169 (2005); Amendment of the Commission’s Rules Governing the Amateur Radio Services, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order, WT Docket No. 04-140, 19 FCC Rcd 7293, 7310 ¶ 33 (2004). Mr. Jack Najork 2. This action is taken under delegated authority pursuant to Sections 0.131 and 0.331 of the Commission’s Rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.131, 0.331. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Scot Stone Deputy Chief, Mobility Division Wireless Telecommunications Bureau