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The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) should help you understand the "nuts and bolts" of FCC WT-Docket Co. 04-140 - the so-called "Omnibus" rule changes affecting the Amateur Radio Service.
Q. The R&O was released by the FCC on October 10, 2006. When does it become effective?
A. The new rules became effective December 15, 2006 at 12:01 AM EST.
Q. I don't see anything about the Morse code testing requirement in the R&O.
A. The elimination of the Morse Code requirement was never part of Docket 04-140. It is part of Docket 05-235, which becomes effective on Feb. 23rd, 2007.
Q. What changes to operating privileges are granted in 04-140?
A. On 80 meters the top end of the CW/RTTY/Digital band now will be at 3600 kHz. Phone will now begin at 3600 kHz for Amateur Extras; at 3700 kHz for Advanced; and at 3800 kHz for Generals.
On 40 meters the top end of the CW/RTTY/Digital band now will be at 7125 kHz. Phone will begin at 7125 kHz for Extras and Advanced, and at 7175 for Generals.
There are no changes on 20 Meters.
On 15 meters the only change was to move the bottom of the General Class phone band to 21275 KHz. The bottom of the phone band for Extra will remain at 21200 KHz and 21225 kHz for Advanced.
On 10 meters Novices and Technicians with CW credit will now be able to use CW/RTTY/Digital from 28000 kHz to 28300 kHz in addition to the unchanged voice privileges from 28300 kHz to 28500 kHz.
In addition, for Novices and Technicians with CW credit, there are now privileges for CW use only on the same frequencies as General and Advanced licensees on 80, 40, and 15 meters: 3525 kHz to 3600 kHz; 7025 kHz to 7125 kHz; and 21025 kHz to 21200 kHz. Amateur Extra licensees have full CW privileges on all bands.
Q. Will I be able to utilize an auxiliary station on 2-meters for such things as Kenwood's "Sky Command" system?
A. Auxiliary stations will be allowed above 144.5 MHz on the 2-meter band, except 145.8-146.0 MHz.
Q. I am interested in the spread spectrum technology. Did anything change for me?
A. Yes. Spread spectrum transmissions are now allowed on the 222 MHz to 225 MHz frequencies on the 1.25-meter band.
Q. What about spread spectrum on 6-meters and 2-meters?
A. The FCC did not authorize the use of spread spectrum technology on these two bands.
Q. I see changes regarding retransmission of signals from the ISS. Couldn't we already do that?
A. The previous rule referred specifically to communications with the space shuttle. The rule is now re-worded to include other manned spacecraft, including the ISS, the shuttle and future manned spacecraft.
Q. What do the changes in applying for a vanity call sign mean?
A. In the past, amateurs tried to increase their "odds" of getting a specific vanity call sign in the lottery by submitting multiple applications for the same call sign on the same day. The rule change allows only one vanity call sign application per amateur per day, thereby making the lottery for call signs a more fair process.
Q. What is the change about "willing" my call sign to my club after I pass on?
A. The rules change now allows an amateur to designate their call sign to be "willed" to a club after his/her passing. In the past the club had to have the permission of the immediate family of the deceased. The change now allows the licensee to have the chance to designate a call sign during their lifetime as an in memoriam option for a club. The club of course is not required to accept the call, but may claim the call sign if desired with a vanity call sign application. If it is unclaimed by the club during the two year waiting period, then the call becomes available as a regular vanity issue other applicants.
Q. What are the changes that affect emergency communications?
A. The only changes apply to those amateurs operating in Alaska or in surrounding waters. The changes allow them to use any frequency during an emergency for which they can be a control operator. Previously these operators did have some restrictions.
Q. What were the changes eliminating certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers?
A. Simply put, the guidelines on external RF amplifiers were clarified. They must still be granted a certification under Part 2 equipment authorization standards and may not be easily modifiable to non-amateur service use. They can not exhibit the ability to amplify in the 26 - 28 MHz frequency range. The FCC also decided not to include a definition of kits as they apply to RF amplifiers.
Q. What changes affect the VE-testing program?
A. There are several. First the FCC no longer requires VECs to make public announcements in advance of test sessions. However, the individual VECs may continue to do so as a condition of coordinating an exam session if they so choose.
Second, proof of an expired General, Advanced or Extra class license may be used for Element 1 examination credit (5 WPM) when presented at a VE test session.
Finally, the FCC has removed the requirement that a VEC forward applications to the Commission within a ten-day time period. However VECs may still require VE teams to submit exam session materials back to the VEC within a specified period of time as a condition for coordinating the session.
Q. Where can I find the full text of the Report and Order?
A. It is available on the FCC website in Word Doc, PDF and TXT formats. The links are:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-149A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-149A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-149A1.txt
Q. When will the ARRL update the band charts and its publications?
A. The new band chart is linked at the top of this page. On December 15 updated copies of Part 97 will replace the version currently available on the ARRL Web.
Q. How will the 04-140 changes affect things like band plans and established CW NTS nets on 80 meters?
A. The ARRL is already looking at how these changes will impact the band plans and existing operations on the redistributed frequencies. Look to the ARRL Web for announcements on any proposals and changes.
Q. The R&O listed several items on its cover sheet that do not appear to be included in the report. This included things like limitations bulletins, temporary licensing, color-coded licenses and two classes of information bulletins. Why aren't these items not included in the R&O?
A. Any petition that was dismissed in the NPRM for 04-140 are not part of
the R&O, as their dismissal in the NPRM ended FCC consideration of
that item. You can find the complete NPRM for WT Docket No. 04-140 at:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-79A1.pdf
Q. I am employed as an emergency responder. (I am a nurse in a local hospital.) (I am a police officer.) Can I use my amateur radio privileges during an emergency even thought I am "on the clock" with my job?
A. Though not included as a new rule as part of 07.113, the R&O does offer the following guidance on this topic: "We conclude that a rule change is not necessary, however, because Section 97.113 does not prohibit amateur radio operators who are emergency personnel engaged in disaster relief from using the amateur service bands while in a paid duty status. These individuals are not receiving compensation for transmitting amateur service communications; rather, they are receiving compensation for services related to their disaster relief duties and in their capacities as emergency personnel."
Q. What are the changes to RACES?
A. Specific RACES frequency bands and segments are deleted from the rules. In a RACES activation the ability to designate specific frequencies is already provided to the Director, OSTP.
Q. I notice that there were some apparent problems in the R&O, such as its effect on the location of automated digital operation on 75 Meters and some the maximum allowable signal width of digital signals. What's happening on these?
A. The FCC corrected these problems with the release of Docket 05-235. The new frequency allocation for automated operations on 75 meters goes into effect on February 23, 2007 from 3585 - 3600 KHz. The changes correcting the signal width problem went into effect December 15, 2006.
