[ETS/PARC List] FW: ARLB011 ARRL Seeks Member Input on Draft HF Band Plan Proposals

[Don WILSON]

> SB QST @ ARL $ARLB011
> ARLB011 ARRL Seeks Member Input on Draft HF Band Plan Proposals
> 
> ZCZC AG11
> QST de W1AW  
> ARRL Bulletin 11  ARLB011
> From ARRL Headquarters  
> Newington CT  February 26, 2015
> To all radio amateurs 
> 
> SB QST ARL ARLB011
> ARLB011 ARRL Seeks Member Input on Draft HF Band Plan Proposals
> 
> The ARRL is asking members to comment by April 19 on possible
> changes to the League's HF Band Plans suggested by the HF Band
> Planning Committee. The survey is part of the committee's efforts to
> tweak the band plans for the RTTY/data/CW portions of 80 through 10
> meters - excepting 60 meters. The committee developed its suggested
> revisions to the voluntary band plans after reviewing some 400
> member comments in response to a March 2014 solicitation that sought
> suggestions for using the spectrum more efficiently so that data
> modes may coexist compatibly.
> 
> "The committee concluded that most of the concerns voiced by members
> could be addressed by modest adjustments to the existing band plans,
> and mainly by confining data modes with bandwidths greater than 500
> Hz to the FCC-designated segments for automatically controlled
> digital stations (ACDS) and to parts of the RTTY/data subbands above
> those segments," ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ said.  His article
> detailing the committee's suggestions will appear in the April
> edition of QST.
> 
> The proposed changes differentiate among ACDS, narrow RTTY/data
> modes having a bandwidth no greater than 500 Hz, and wider data
> modes having a bandwidth up to 2700 Hz.
> 
> Band by Band Draft Recommendations
> 
> The committee suggests several modifications to the 80 meter band
> plan. FCC action in 2006 reduced the 80 meter RTTY/data subband to
> 100 kHz and limited access to the 3600-3700 kHz segment to Amateur
> Extra class licensees. "Unless and until the FCC Rules are modified,
> changes in the band plan for 3500-3600 kHz will not improve the
> situation," Sumner said.
> 
> The HF Band Planning Committee recommends that the League petition
> the FCC to move the boundary between the 80 meter RTTY/data band and
> the 75 meter phone/image band from 3600 to 3650 kHz and restoring
> that segment to General and Advanced class licensees. Members are
> asked to comment on this proposal, as well as on whether or not the
> ARRL should petition the FCC for these other changes:
> 
> *  Shift the ACDS band segment from 3585-3600 to 3600-3615 kHz,
> consistent with the IARU Region 1 and 2 band plans.
> 
> *  Extend the current Novice/Technician CW segment of 3525-3600 kHz
> to 3650 kHz.
> 
> *  Add 80 meter RTTY/data privileges for Novices and Technicians.
> 
> On 40 meters, the committee concluded that it would be unrealistic
> to try to bring the ARRL band plan into alignment with the rest of
> the world, particularly with Regions 1 and 3 where operating
> patterns developed when the entire band, including phone, was just
> 100 kHz wide and is still only 200 kHz. While 7040 kHz is a
> recognized RTTY/data DX frequency in the band plan, the best place
> for other RTTY/data activity in the US is above 7070 kHz.
> 
> The committee proposes aligning the band plan with the "Considerate
> Operator's Frequency Guide," with wide data modes - outside of ACDS
> - at 7115-7125 kHz. The "Guide" shows 7070-7125 kHz for RTTY/data,
> while the ARRL band plan shows 7080-7125 kHz. The FCC mandates that
> ACDS be confined to the 7100-7105 kHz segment.
> 
> On 30 meters, the committee recommends confining wide data modes to
> 10.140-10.150 MHz, separated from other RTTY/data at 10.130-10.140
> MHz.
> 
> On 20 meters, the committee recommends using the 1 kHz IARU/NCDXF
> beacon network frequency (14.0995-14.1005 MHz) as a line in the sand
> between wide ACDS in the 14.1005-14.112 MHz segment, and narrow ACDS
> in the 14.095-14.0995 MHz segment.
> 
> The committee recommends 14.070-14.095 MHz for RTTY and narrowband
> data, noting that so-called "weak-signal" data modes often are used
> between 14.070 and 14.078 MHz.
> 
> On 17 meters, the committee recommends confining wide data modes to
> the FCC-mandated ACDS segment of 18.105-18.110 MHz, separated from
> narrow RTTY/data at 18.100-18.105 MHz. FCC rules do not permit
> RTTY/data above 18.110 MHz, limiting options for this band.
> 
> On 15 meters, the committee recommends that 21.070-21.090 MHz for
> narrow RTTY/data modes, the FCC-mandated ACDS segment of
> 21.090-21.100 MHz for both narrow and wide automatically controlled
> data station activity, and above 21.100 MHz for any additional wide
> data activity. The ARRL Board also wants members to comment on the
> desirability of adding RTTY/data privileges for Novices and
> Technicians in their existing 15 meter segment, where they're now
> limited to CW.
> 
> On 12 meters, the committee recommends confining wide data to the
> FCC-mandated ACDS segment, 24.925-24.930 MHz, separated from narrow
> RTTY/data operation at 24.920-24.925 MHz. FCC rules do not permit
> RTTY/data operation above 24.930 MHz, limiting options for this
> band.
> 
> On 10 meters, the committee recommends that wide data be confined to
> the FCC-mandated ACDS segment, 28.120-28.189 MHz, separated from
> narrow RTTY/data modes at 28.070-28.120 MHz.
> 
> How to Comment
> 
> The League has set up a web page to record members' preferences and
> comments at, http://www.arrl.org/bandplan . Those wishing to offer
> more detailed comments may e-mail ARRL at, bandplan at arrl.org . The
> comment deadline is April 19. The HF Band Planning Committee will
> deliver its final report at the ARRL Board of Directors' July
> meeting.
> NNNN
> /EX
> 
> 
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