[RTTY] ARRL & NTIA request digital on 60 meters be restricted to PSK31 and PACTOR III only

[Sjolin]

ARRL just put out PDF on recommendations for 60 Meters today. Cut & paste digital section below.  ARRL and NTIA request no RTTY, just PSK31 and Pactor III.

73 de Dave, N0IT

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Digital Operation

Our expanded privileges on 60 meters were the result of collaboration between the FCC and the NTIA – the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the agency that manages and coordinates telecommunications activities among US government departments, the primary users of the band. The NTIA expressed concern about possible interference and requested that amateurs limit digital operating to PSK31 and PACTOR III only.

It is certainly possible to interpret the FCC Report and Order somewhat broadly as it concerns digital operating on the band, but be careful not to read too much into the text. For example, while the Report and Order mentions RTTY, it also specifies that the signal must be less than 60 Hz wide. This is too narrow for amateur teletype signals. Only a much narrower mode such as PSK31 (about 50 Hz wide) meets this requirement.

With an eye to the potential for expanded 60 meter privileges in the future, the ARRL believes it is critical to cooperate fully with the NTIA. Therefore, the ARRL asks all amateurs to restrict 60-meter digital operations to PSK31 or PACTOR III.