[CW] FCC Actions

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

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 3800-4000 kHz, an
increase of 50 kHz. Advanced class licensees will be able to use voice from
3700-4000, 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 7175-7300 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.
NNNN
/EX

73 de N1EA