[ARRL-OK] Fw: ARLB019 FCC releases long-awaited "Omnibus" Amateur Radio Report a nd Order

[D C (Mac) Macdonald]

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB019
ARLB019 FCC releases long-awaited ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio
Report and Order

ZCZC AG19
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 19  ARLB019
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  October 12, 2006
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB019
ARLB019 FCC releases long-awaited ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio
Report and Order

Ending a protracted waiting period, the FCC's Report and
Order in the so-called ''Omnibus'' Amateur Radio proceeding,
WT Docket 04-140, was adopted October 4 and released October
10, 2006.  In it, the FCC adopted nearly all of the proposed
changes in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released back
in 2004.  The FCC has:

+ expanded the phone subbands in the 75 and 40 meter bands;

+ permitted auxiliary stations to transmit on portions of the
2 meter band;

+ permitted the use of spread spectrum on 222-225 MHz;

+ permitted amateurs to retransmit communications from the
International Space Station;

+ permitted amateur licensees to designate a specific Amateur
Radio club to receive their call sign in memoriam;

+ prohibited an applicant from filing more than one
application for a specific vanity call sign;

+ eliminated certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers;

+ permitted Amateur Radio stations in Alaska and surrounding
waters more flexibility in providing emergency communications;

+ clarified that "amateur stations may, at all times and on
all frequencies authorized to the control operator, make
transmissions necessary to meet essential communication needs
and to facilitate relief actions";

+ deleted the frequency bands and segments specified for RACES
stations;

and

+ deleted the requirement for public announcement of test
locations and times.

In addition, the FCC took several other miscellaneous actions.

In "refarming" the frequencies currently authorized to Novice
and Technician Plus licensees, the Commission increased the
voice segments for General, Advanced and Amateur Extra
licensees.

On 75 meters, Generals will be able to use voice from 3800 to
4000 kHz, an increase of 50 kHz.  Advanced class licensees
will be able to use voice from 3700 to 4000, an increase of
75 kHz, and Amateur Extras will be able to use voice from
3600 to 4000 kHz, a generous increase of 150 kHz.

On 40 meters, Advanced and Extra Class licensees will be
able to use voice from 7125-7300 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz.
General class licensees will be able to use voice on 7175 to
7300 kHz, an increase of 50 kHz.

On 15 meters, General class operators will have phone
privileges on 21275-21450 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz.

ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, expressed the ARRL's
gratitude to the FCC Commissioners in a letter dated October
11:  "On behalf of the ARRL and the Commission's licensees in
the Amateur Radio Service I want to express appreciation for
your release yesterday of the Report and Order in WT Docket
04-140 (FCC 06-149) amending Part 97 of the Commission's
Rules.  The Commission's action in clearing this pending
proceeding will assist the Amateur Radio Service in meeting
its objectives, particularly with regard to providing
emergency and public service communications."

The changes will go into effect 30 days after the R&O is
published in the Federal Register.
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