[CW] FCC Actions - OOOOPS?

[Donald Chester]

>From: N2EY at aol.com

> > The wording of the latest R&O does not make it clear whether, for 
>example,
> > generals and advanced will still be able to use cw and digital from 3600 
>to
> > 3700, or if that segment will be restricted to extra class, regardless 
>of
> > mode.
> >
>
>Where is it unclear  (besides the obvious typo)? The available frequencies
>are listed by license class. The concept of subbands-by-license class 
>remains
>completely unchanged - only the limits of the subbands change.

"...12. Regarding the division among license classes of the spectrum on 
which we today
authorize phone emissions, we adopt the Commission’s proposal to authorize 
stations of General
Class licensees to transmit voice emissions in the 3800-4000 kHz frequency 
segment, thereby
increasing by 50 kHz the spectrum for voice communications by these 
stations. Because we
have decided to authorize more 75 m spectrum for voice communications than 
was proposed in
the NPRM, we also authorize stations of Advanced Class licensees to transmit 
voice emissions in
the 3700-4000 kHz frequency segment, thereby increasing by 75 kHz the amount 
of spectrum for
voice communications by these stations. We also authorize stations of 
Amateur Extra Class
licensees to transmit voice emissions in the 3600-4000 kHz frequency 
segment, thereby
increasing by 150 kHz the spectrum authorized to these stations for voice 
communications. In
the 40 m and 15 m bands, we adopt the Commission’s proposal to authorize 
stations of Amateur
Extra and Advanced Class licensees 7125-7300 kHz, stations of General Class 
licensees 7175-
7300 kHz, and stations of General Class licensees 21275-21450 kHz for phone
communications."

Note again "We also authorize stations of Amateur Extra Class licensees to 
transmit voice emissions in the 3600-4000 kHz frequency segment, thereby 
increasing by 150 kHz the spectrum authorized to these stations for voice 
communications."

To me this clearly means nothing more than the fact that Extra class can 
transmit voice on 3600-4000, but does not address the issue of lower class 
licensees losing non-voice privileges on those same frequencies.  Regardless 
if how the FCC interprets it, they must clarify it, or else many hams will 
misinterpret regardlesss of what they intended to say.

The did not include a revised subband chart at the end of the document, but 
only edited fragments.  I have not taken the time to try to incorporate 
those fragments into the existing chart to recreate a revised one, but 
others I have talked to have expressed confusion over this issue as well. 
Hopefully they will publish a complete, revised subband chart before the 
changes go into effect.

If 3600-3700 is Extra class only for all modes, that segment will be even 
more under-utilised than it is  now.  In recent years, the 3750-3775 segment 
has rarely been filled to capacity even under quiet weekend nighttime band 
conditions (except perhaps during SSB contests).  If this segment is spread 
out to 100 kHz there should be LOTS of empty space.

Of course, the Extra class exam today is less challenging than the General 
class exam was in 1968.  Maybe the FCC is trying to make the Extra the "new" 
General, and the General the "new" Novice.  The code requirement as already 
the same as the 1968 Novice.

Don k4kyv