 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
 Previous: In Brief | ![Next (later) Story](/images/sty-up.gif ""Logbook of the World" Enters Open Beta-Testing Phase"){kind=small} Next: "Logbook of the World" Enters Open Beta-Testing Phase |
NEWINGTON, CT, May 14, 2003--The FCC pitched a curve ball at the Amateur Radio community by declining to grant amateurs a sliver-band allocation at 136 kHz "at this time." In a compromise with government users, the Commission decided to give amateurs five discrete 2.8-kHz-wide channels in the vicinity of 5 MHz instead of the 150-kHz band ARRL had requested. In its Notice of Proposed Rule Making a year ago, the FCC appeared inclined to go along with both ARRL requests. The FCC did agree in its Report and Order in ET Docket 02-98 to elevate the Amateur Service, but not the Amateur-Satellite Service, to primary status at 2400 to 2402 MHz. The changes to Part 97 go into effect 30 days after publication in The Federal Register, which has not yet happened.
"We are disappointed that the FCC could not see its way clear to providing even a narrow LF allocation to the amateur service, given earlier encouraging signs and the general trend in other countries," said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, of the FCC's decision. Several European countries already have LF allocations in the vicinity of 136 kHz.
The FCC, however, found itself more persuaded by arguments from electrical utilities and other commenters that amateur operation at 136 kHz might interfere with power line communications (PLC) used by electrical utilities to control the power grid. "We believe that the utility companies have raised a valid concern that an allocation to the amateur service could result in the need for PLCs to modify or cease their operations to avoid causing interference to amateurs," the FCC said in the R&O. The FCC also cited amateur concerns that PLCs may cause interference to ham operations at LF.
The FCC said a new amateur LF allocation is not justified "when balanced against the greater public interest of an interference-free power grid." Conceding that its alternatives are "less attractive to amateur operators," the FCC said amateurs wishing to experiment with LF could apply for experimental licenses or operate under existing Part 15 rules on that part of the spectrum.
"We will not jeopardize the reliability of electrical service to the public," the FCC concluded. The FCC conceded that while PLC operations do not enjoy protected status, "they provide a vital public service."
FCC Grants Five 60-Meter Channels
The granting of just five spot frequencies--5332, 5348, 5368, 5373, and 5405 kHz--at 60 meters was less of a surprise given opposition expressed last fall by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA had cited a possible need for the requested band by federal government users and proposed the five specific frequencies for amateur use on a secondary basis. The FCC has granted operation on USB (2K8J3E emission) only, with a maximum effective radiated power limit of 50 W relative to a 0 dB gain antenna--a half-wave dipole. The channels--each with a maximum permissible bandwidth of 2.8 kHz--will be available to General and higher class licensees.
"While the new amateur privileges at 5 MHz are not as flexible as we had hoped, we recognize that much has changed since the ARRL petition for rulemaking was submitted to the FCC in the summer of 2001," Sumner said. "Federal agencies with homeland security responsibilities have renewed interest in HF radiocommunication."
Sumner predicted that, over time, amateurs "will develop a record of disciplined, responsible use of the five channels in the public interest that will justify another look at these rather severe initial restrictions."
The FCC said it gave "considerable weight" to the NTIA's concerns in making its decision on the ARRL's 60-meter request. The Commission denied requests by the United PowerLine Council (UPLC), a consortium of PLC manufacturers, and the PowerLine Communications Association (PLCA) to delay action in the proceeding. Both organizations had said that amateur operation in the vicinity of 5 MHz could affect plans for broadband over future power line (BPL) deployment.
"We are pleased that the FCC has underscored the fact that broadband PLC systems must be designed so as to not cause harmful interference to licensed, allocated services," Sumner said.
The ARRL had conducted lengthy experimental operations on the band that involved users across the US. The band is primary for several governmental agencies including the military.
Amateur Service Upgraded to Primary at 2400-2402 MHz
Sumner said the ARRL was pleased to see 2400-2402 MHz upgraded to primary. "The upgrade of the 2400-2402 MHz amateur allocation to primary provides a seamless primary allocation from 2390 to 2417 MHz, in addition to the secondary allocations of 2300-2310 and 2417-2450 MHz," he said.
Opposition to the upgrade came from the IEEE Local and Metropolitan Area Networks Standards Committee (IEEE 802). The committee had stated its concerns that if the 2.4 GHz upgrade were granted, the ARRL would attempt to use the new Amateur Radio status to challenge Part 15 unlicensed operation in the 2400-2402 MHz band. Amateurs already have been experimenting with high-speed multimedia operation in the band using IEEE 802.11b protocols.
The ARRL's proposal was supported by AMSAT and individual amateurs.
"We observe that amateur operators have successfully shared this band with Part 15 and Part 18 operations and we have no reason to believe that this sharing will not continue to be successful," the FCC concluded. The FCC said a primary allocation for the Amateur -Satellite Service "would be impractical and difficult to implement," given the protection afforded to Part 18 industrial-scientific-medical (ISM) devices "and the large number of Part 15 devices that operate in the band." The Amateur-Satellite Service remains on a non-interference basis.
The Report and Order is available on the FCC's Web site.
| Previous: In Brief | Next: "Logbook of the World" Enters Open Beta-Testing Phase |
