As previously reported, the FCC has proposed to amend its rules to
implement the allocation decisions of the 2007 World Radiocommunication
Conference (WRC-07) and to make certain other changes. Notice appeared
in the December 27, 2012 issue of the Federal Register, which started
the clock on a 60-day window for the submission of comments. Thus,
comments are due no later than February 25, 2013, with reply comments
due no later than March 27, 2013.
While most of the 130-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
and Order does not directly affect the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite
Services, two sections of the document are of particular interest to
amateurs.
Specifically, the FCC proposes to upgrade the Amateur
Service allocation in the upper half of the 160 meter band (1900-2000
kHz) from secondary to primary, while deleting the existing allocation
to the Radiolocation Service. This is possible, because the
reaccommodation of radiolocation stations displaced by the expansion of
the AM broadcasting band to 1705 kHz has been completed and there are no
non-federal radiolocation stations licensed to operate in the 1900-2000
kHz band.
The FCC also seeks comments on whether, and how, an
amateur low frequency (LF) allocation might be able to co-exist with
Power Line Carrier (PLC) systems that are used by electric utilities to
monitor and control the power grid. The Commission notes that while PLC
systems do not have the status of an allocation, they carry
"communications important to the reliability and security of electric
service to the public." WRC-07 created a new secondary allocation to the
amateur service at 135.7-137.8 kHz that already has been implemented in
a number of other countries.
The ARRL will be preparing comments supporting both of
these allocations. Individuals wishing to comment directly to the FCC
should carefully read paragraphs 13-24 of the NPRM and follow the
instructions contained in paragraph 175. The NPRM can be found in PDF
format at,
(Source: The American Radio Relay League via Southgate Amateur Radio News)
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