Translation:
We (ie the FCC) recognize that the amateurs have a legitimate need for
frequencies on 60 Meters, but because the NTIA (hiding behind the smoke and
mirrors of "homeland security") is afraid that amateurs might actually use
the band and theoretically cause interference, we're only giving amateurs
five discreet frequencies, even though this reduces the flexibility of
amateurs to change frequency or modes to avoid interference.
And since the NTIA can't handle non-voice modes, we're going to limit those
channels to SSB. Too bad if amateurs want to use anything else.
Futher, we're going to limit output power to 50 Watts ERP, figuring 50 Watts
(PEP) into a dipole, so if amateurs want to play around with antennas, they
have to cut their power accordingly, and had better be able to prove that
they calculated the appropriate amount of power to cut back by.
Oh yes, Novices and Techs need not bother to apply for 60 meters.
...
I didn't expect (after the NTIA through in their last minute objections...
and wasn't it after the close of comments? So much for following the rules)
all 150 kHz that was requested. I thought we might get 50 kHz to start, at
least. But 5 channels at roughly 3 kHz per voice... 15 kHz? Sheesh. Why
bother?
Don't get me wrong, this will be a nice band for some experimentation in
antennas and propagation, but I just don't see what practical use we'll be
able to make of it. If it had been even 25 kHz contigous that we could have
used for CW and/or data, maybe, but this?
I hope this is an aberration, or at least the first toe of a foot in the
door. Otherwise, methinks that this does not bode well for future dealings
with the FCC.
73, ron wn3vaw
"And if I claim to be a wise man,
It surely means that I don't know"
---- "Carry On (My Wayward Son)," Kansas
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim FitzSimons" <cherry@getnet.net>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2003 6:20 PM
Subject: [TenTec] 60M
31. We believe that frequencies in the 5250-5400 kHz range may be useful for
completing disaster communications links at times when the 3 and 7 MHz bands
are not available due to ionospheric conditions, and appreciate the desire
of the amateur radio community to assist with disaster communications. At
the same time, since the majority of the affected users are Federal
Government licensees with homeland security responsibilities, we give
considerable weight to the concerns NTIA has expressed about the potential
for interference to these users. Thus, we conclude that it is not
reasonable to grant ARRL's original request for the whole of the 5250-5400
kHz band. However, as indicated above, NTIA has reviewed its assignments
and has found that 5 channels are lightly used and could be used on a
secondary basis by amateur stations. While we recognize that these five
channels will not give the amateur service the 150 kilohertz of spectrum in
the 5000 kHz range it originally asked for or the flexibility to use
multiple transmission modes, this appears to be the best compromise
available to give the amateur service access to new spectrum while assuring
the Federal Government agencies that their use is protected. We also concur
with NTIA's basic proposals that amateur service operations on these
channels be limited to SSB-SC modulation, upper sideband voice transmissions
only, with power not to exceed equivalent of 50 W PEP transmitter output
power into an antenna with a gain of 0 dBd, or 50 W e.r.p. These operating
rules will decrease the interference potential between amateur stations and
Federal Government users. Accordingly, we are amending sections 2.106, and
97.303 of our rules to provide a secondary allocation to the amateur service
on the channels 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5368 kHz, 5373 kHz and 5405 kHz as
specified by NTIA, and to require that amateur operations be limited to an
effective radiated power (e.r.p.) of 50 W, and emission type 2K8J3E, upper
sideband voice transmissions only centered on each frequency. For the
purpose of computing e.r.p. the transmitter peak envelope power will be
multiplied with the antenna gain relative to a dipole or the equivalent
calculation in decibels. A half wave dipole antenna will be presumed to
have a gain of 0 dBd. Licensees using other antennas must maintain in their
station records either manufacturer data on the antenna gain or calculations
of the antenna gain. In addition, because we are permitting amateur
stations to transmit on 5 discrete frequencies and limiting the transmission
mode to single sideband only, dividing the band into smaller sub-bands to be
used for other emission types is not practical or necessary. Lastly, we
will permit these frequencies to be used by amateur service licensees with a
General Class, Advanced Class, or Amateur Extra Class operator license. We
believe that the limited number of frequencies and the emission restriction
will protect against interference to primary service operations.
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