‰ Now 18 WPM transition file follows ‰

The FCC is inviting public comments on a proposal from a
Massachusetts ham to amend the Part 97 Amateur Service rules to
permit the encryption of certain amateur communications during
emergency operations or related training exercises. On June 7 the
FCC accepted for filing a Petition for Rulemaking, RM 11699, from
Don Rolph, AB1PH, and put it on public notice. It will remain open
for comment until July 8.  Rolph, of E Walpole, petitioned the
Commission in March to suggest an additional exception to Part
97.113, which currently prohibits messages encoded for the purpose
of obscuring their meaning.  As such, encryption cannot be
effectively supported by the Amateur Service, Rolph told the FCC in
his PRM, and this restriction has impacted the relationship of
Amateur Radio volunteers and served agencies and significantly
limited the effectiveness of amateurs in supporting emergency
communications. He pointed out that Part 97 already relaxes its
encryption prohibitions with respect to satellite control link
communications and model craft radio control.  Rolph cited rules
already in place in Australia as a possible model for amending the
rules in the US. The Australian Amateur Radio rules provide an
exception for intercommunications when participating in emergency
services operations or related training exercises. He suggested
modifying Part 97 to capture the intent of the Australian
regulations to relieve what he called this impediment of Amateur
Radio support of emergency communications.  In his petition Rolph
suggested excepting intercommunications when participating in
emergency services operations or related training exercises which
may involve information covered by HIPAA or other sensitive data,
such as logistical information concerning medical supplies,
personnel movement, other relief supplies or any other data
designated by Federal authorities managing relief or training
efforts.  Commenters may use the FCCs Electronic Comment Filing
System to comment on RM 11699 online.  The multiple websites
mentioned in this bulletin can be found in teleprinter, packet and
Internet versions of 2013 ARRL Bulletin.  ARRL Life Member and
Public Relations Committee Member Don Carlson, KQ6FM, of Sparks,
Nevada, died June 21, of complications related to pancreatic cancer.
He was 60.  Don was an active radio amateur and commercial radio
broadcaster, known as Don Murray during his days at Nevada and
California radio stations, where he usually hosted oldies and jazz
shows. He ran a broadcast production business, The Voice Shop, and
did commercial voice over work for radio and television, including
for ARRL national radio and TV public service announcements.

‰ End of 18 WPM transition file ‰