FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
 
PRESS RELEASE
Washington, D. C. (42924)
ORDER NO. 73-A, AFFECTING AMATEURS, CLARIFIED
August 27, 1940
There has been unnecessary confusion in some minds regarding
Federal Communications Commission Order No . 73 as amended by Order No. 73-A,
restricting the use of portable and portable-mobile radio equipment by
amateurs.
Order No . 73-A does not in any sense rescind the original order
No . 73, but merely makes it possible for amateurs to continue the development
and testing of equipment designed and built for the sole purpose of
emergency use . This relaxation of Order 73 does not, and was not intended
to, authorize the use of emergency equipment for routine amateurcommunications.Itwas:madeintherealizationthateffectiveemergencycommunication
can only be based on prior experience, including personnel and equipment,
all thoroughly coordinated into a ccnmunication network . Any extension of
Order 73-A to cover the use of regular portable or portable-mobile equipment
under the guise of "testing for emergency purposes" is an unwarranted and
unauthorized stretching of the letter of the order.
The Commission's press release of June 11, authorizing the moving
of amateur stations from one fixed location to another, is not intended to
permit short-period operation from a location other than that noted in the
station license . It is difficult to draw an absolute dividing line between
what is considered a "summer residence" and what is not, but week-ends or
short vacation periods do not constitute "summer residence ." On the other
hand, a move to a summer cottage for a four-month period could be considered
a "summer residence."
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The announcement of June 11 was a convenience to permit amateurs to
continue operation even though they might move from one fixed location to
another in routine civil life. It was not contemplated as a means whereby
amateurs could operate their stations from week-end vacation locations, or
similar situations definitely restricted under Order No. 73.
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