PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 TTY 202 / 418-2555 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov DA 09-672 Released: March 26, 2009 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SOLICITS ASSISTANCE IN UPDATING COMMERCIAL OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION (COLE) QUESTION POOLS FOR ELEMENTS 1, 3, AND 8 WT Docket No. 09-43 Comment Date: April 27, 2009 Reply Date: May 12, 2009 In furtherance of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to improve upon the content of the Commercial Operator License Examination (COLE), we hereby solicit private sector assistance in updating the COLE question pools for Elements 1 (Basic radio law and operating practice), 3 (General radiotelephone), and 8 (Ship radar techniques). The Commission’s goal is to ensure that the questions reflect the current duties and responsibilities of commercial radio operator licensees and state-of-the-art technologies. National Radio Examiners (NRE), a Commission-certified COLE Manager, and associated individuals, have examined the current question pools and submitted for our review revised model test pools for Elements 1, 3, and 8. NRE proposes that we adopt these question pools in their entirety. Accordingly, we seek comment on whether these question pools should be adopted either partially or in their entirety, and whether any changes should be made thereto. In addition, we seek suggestions regarding whether any current questions should be eliminated and any new questions should be added. Each proposed new question must be stated as a complete sentence and include a narrative statement regarding the question’s importance. For each question, the following information must be included: 1. Element number associated with the question. 2. Correct answer and at least three multiple-choice distracters. 3. Name of source document upon which the question is based. 4. A citation for the correct answer. Procedural Matters Comments on the request are due no later than April 27, 2009. Reply comments are due no later than May 12, 2009. All filings should reference the docket number of this proceeding, WT 09-43. This proceeding has been designated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules.1 Parties making oral ex parte presentations in this proceeding are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain the presentation’s substance and 1 See 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200(a), 1.1206. not merely list the subjects discussed.2 More than a one- or two-sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required.3 The current COLE questions and answers are available on the Commission’s web site at http://wireless.fcc.gov/commoperators/index.htm?job=question_pools. The revised model test pools submitted by NRE are available for public inspection and copying in the Commission's Reference Center, Room CY-A257, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies of the revised model test pools also may be obtained via the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) by entering the docket number, WT 09-43. Copies are also available from Best Copy and Printing, Inc., telephone (800) 378-3160, facsimile (301) 816-0169, e-mail FCC@BCPIWEB.com. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg. 24121 (1998). Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/. Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. If multiple docket or rulemaking numbers appear in the caption of this proceeding, however, commenters must transmit one electronic copy of the comments to each docket or rulemaking number referenced in the caption. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov, and should include the following words in the body of the message, “get form.” A sample form and directions will be sent in reply. Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. If more than one docket or rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, commenters must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20002. -The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. -All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. -Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. -Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. -U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. -All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. Parties should send one copy of their comments and reply comments to Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C. 20554, (800) 378-3160, e-mail FCC@BCPIWEB.com. Comments filed in response to this Public Notice will be available for public inspection and copying during business hours in the FCC Reference Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554, and via the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System 2 See Commission Emphasizes the Public’s Responsibilities in Permit-But-Disclose Proceedings, Public Notice, 15 FCC Rcd 19945 (2000). 3 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2). Other rules pertaining to oral and written presentations are also set forth in Section 1.1206(b). See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b). (ECFS) by entering the docket number, WT 09-43. The comments may also be purchased from Best Copy and Printing, Inc., telephone (800) 378-3160, facsimile (301) 816-0169, e-mail FCC@BCPIWEB.com. Alternate formats of this Public Notice (computer diskette, large print, audio recording, and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by contacting Brian Millin at (202) 418-7426 (voice), (202) 418-7365 (TTY), or send an e-mail to access@fcc.gov. For further information, contact Mr. Ghassan Khalek of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division, at (202) 418-2771, ghassan.khalek@fcc.gov. Action by the Deputy Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. - FCC -