‰  NOW 18 WPM transition file follows‰

Amateur Radio is poised to gain access to two new bands. The FCC has
allocated a new LF band, 135.7 to 137.8 kHz, to the Amateur Service
on a secondary basis. Allocation of the 2.1 kHz segment, known as
2200 meters, was in accordance with the Final Acts of the 2007 World
Radiocommunication Conference, WRC 07. The Commission also has
proposed a new secondary 630 meter MF allocation at 472 to 479 kHz
to Amateur Radio, implementing decisions made at WRC 12. No Amateur
Radio operation will be permitted in either band until the FCC
determines, on the basis of comments, the specific Part 97 rules it
must frame to permit operation in the new bands.  Amateur Radio
would share both allocations with unlicensed Part 15 power line
carrier, PLC, systems operated by utilities to control the power
grid, as well as with other users.  In addition, the FCC has raised
the secondary Amateur Service allocation at 1900 to 2000 kHz to
primary, while providing for continued use by currently unlicensed
commercial fishing vessels of radio buoys on the open sea.  The
allocation changes, associated proposed rules, and suggested topics
for comment are contained in a 257 page FCC Report and Order, Order,
and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing three dockets, ET 12
338, ET 15 99, and IB 06 123, which affect various radio services in
addition to the Amateur Service. The FCC released the document on
April 27.  With respect to the new LF sliver band at 135.7 to 137.8
kHz, the FCC concluded that Amateur Radio and PLC systems can
coexist there.  Since the Commission last considered this issue,
amateurs have successfully operated in the band under experimental
licenses without reported PLC interference, the FCC said. We are
also encouraged by the fact that numerous fixed radionavigation
beacons, which operate at much higher powers, share spectrum with
PLC systems without reported interference.  In 2003 the FCC turned
down an ARRL proposal to create a 135.7 to 137.8 kHz Amateur Radio
allocation, after utilities raised fears of a clash between Amateur
Radio and PLC systems operating below the AM broadcast band. This
time, the FCC said, It is clear that we will have to establish
appropriate requirements for amateur use of the band, if we are to
ensure compatibility with PLC systems. WRC 07 set a maximum
effective isotropic radiated power, EIRP, limit of 1 W, which is
what the FCC is proposing.  The FCC said it explicitly rejects the
suggestion that it choose one use of the spectrum over the other.
Our objective is to allocate spectrum on a secondary basis to
amateur stations in a manner, compatible with existing PLC systems,
the FCC said.  However, we also expect to permit amateur operators
to make use of the allocation in a manner that is less burdensome
and more productive than they are currently afforded under the
experimental authorization process.

‰  END OF 18 WPM transition file ƒ