FCC Emergency Communications Declaration Policy Prefers
VHF-UHF
NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 13, 2004--The FCC has formalized its
policy for issuing an emergency communications declaration (ECD) on Amateur
Radio Service frequencies. The policy, which became effective August 2, states
that ECDs will be issued for VHF or UHF repeaters--if the licensee consents--or
on simplex channels in the 60-meter band. The FCC will not entertain requests
to specifically sequester frequencies in other HF bands for emergency traffic only.
Past emergency communications declarations--typically issued during
weather-related emergencies--have put frequencies on 75 and 40 meters off
limits to general use in an affected region. The practice has drawn complaints
from members of the amateur community--especially from those well outside the
affected region--and from emergency nets, which still experienced QRM.
"ECDs may only be issued after a disaster disrupts normal
communication systems in a geographic area subject to FCC regulation," the FCC said,
citing §97.401(b). Under its
provisions, when a disaster disrupts normal telecommunications systems in a
given area, the FCC may declare a temporary communication emergency that sets
forth any special conditions and special rules stations must observe while it's
in effect. The policy clarifies that the FCC has authority to issue ECDs only
for communication emergencies and not on the basis of anticipated emergencies.
The policy calls for VHF and UHF Amateur Service channels
to receive preference for ECDs. Requests may indicate a specific repeater
system, subject to permission from the repeater's licensee or trustee. On HF,
the FCC says, an ECD may authorize the use of one or two 60-meter channels,
which center on 5332, 5348, 5368, 5373 and 5405 kHz. "Use of these channels is
subject to the requirements of §97.303(s),"
the FCC said. One potential downside of the policy is the 50 W effective
radiated power restriction on that band (see ARRL's Frequently
Asked Questions regarding operation on 60 meters).
The FCC said frequencies in other Amateur Service bands--where
emergency nets already have been established--may be used during emergencies under
the provisions of §97.101(c).
That rule section stipulates that Amateur Service control operators give
priority to stations providing emergency communications "at all times and on
all frequencies."
In announcing its policy, the FCC noted that amateurs have
occasionally requested an ECD before an event, such as a hurricane or tropical
storm, has occurred. "However," the Commission's policy points out, "transmissions
prior to a disaster are already authorized by §97.401(a) and not subject to an ECD." Under §97.401(a), amateur stations may make
transmissions "necessary to meet essential communication needs and facilitate
relief actions" when normal telecommunication systems are overloaded, damaged
or disrupted because a disaster has occurred or is likely to occur in an area where the Amateur Service is
regulated by the FCC.
The FCC also has tightened up the requirements to request
an ECD. Requests may come from an
emergency management official responsible for emergency operations in the
affected area and acting in an official capacity or from an Amateur Radio
operator at the request of an
emergency management official responsible for emergency operations in the
affected area and acting an official capacity. Among other information,
requests must include the nature of the disaster, a description of the
compromised telecommunication systems, the geographic area affected and the
estimated length of time that normal telecommunication systems will remain out
of service.
The FCC policy, Emergency Communications Declarations in the Amateur Radio Service,
is available on the ARRL Web site.
Page last modified: 03:07 PM, 13 Aug 2004 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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