[CW] FCC Actions - OOOOPS?

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/12/06 2:29:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
k4kyv at hotmail.com writes:


> One thing that needs to be clarified is whether or not 3600-3700 will be 
> Extra class-only for all modes, or if only Extras will be allowed to use 
> phone in the segment.  How this expansion will affect non-voice use of the 
> 
> new phone frequencies by the various classes of licence is not made entirely 
> 
> clear by the FCC document.
> 

Let's take a look:

97.301 says where we can operate. It does not say which modes (emission 
types) - that is specified in 97.305. 

97.301(b) is for Extras, 97.301(c) is for Advanceds, 97.301(d) is for 
Generals and 97.301(e) is for code-tested Techs and Novices.

In these actions, FCC modifies all the above paragraphs. 

The division point between "80m" and "75m" moves to 3.6 MHz from 3.750. This 
effectively allows 'phone and image from 3.60 to 4.0, because all of "75m" is 
allowed those modes. 

I don't know what FCC treats "80m" and "75m" as if they were two isolated 
bands, but they do. No other amateur band gets that treatment.

Extras have 3.5 to 4.0, same as before. 

Advanceds have 3.525 to 3.60 and 3.70 to 4.0 There is *no* mention of 
Advanceds being able to operate on 3.60 to 3.70!  Advanceds gain 3.70 to 3.775, but 
lose 3.60 to 3.70

I think there is a typo in the FCC document in the General privileges 
97.301(d). It states that Generals would have 3.525 to 3.725 on "80m", which doesn't 
look right. In all other paragraphs, "80m" is specified as stopping at 3.60. 
Also, Advanceds do not have 3.60 to 3.725 under the new rules.

If this really is a typo on FCC's part, it means that Generals will not have 
3.60 to 3.750, which they have today.

Confused? Get a copy of "old" Part 97 and splice in the new parts to 97.301. 

73 de Jim, N2EY