[MarinTeams] 60 Meter Amateur Radio Band

[Bill]

This message was received from the ARRL (American Radio Relay League)
concerning the FCC proposed rulemaking which would reduce Amateur transmit
power from 100 watts to less than 10 watts on the 60 meter (5 MHz) Amateur
band.  While QRP (low power) is a fun mode, it shouldn't be our only
recourse under emergency conditions.  Please read and respond!  ...and
consider joining the ARRL.
73 de Bill, AB6MT


Dear ARRL Pacific Division Member:
 
We need your assistance, and we need it NOW.  We strongly encourage you to
assist the ARRL and the entire U.S. Amateur Radio community by submitting
comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before October 30th
to save the privileges we have fought to gain on 60 meters.  Even if you are
not currently active on 60 meters, the proposed reduction in power from 100
watts to an equivalent of less than 10 watts is the most sweeping reduction
of HF privileges in decades.  If Amateur Radio opposition to this proposed
change is weak and the FCC goes through with the change, will a lackluster
response from the Amateur Radio community embolden the FCC to remove or
modify more HF privileges?

Please read this message in full to understand why your help is needed prior
to submitting your comments.
 
The FCC has issued Notice of Proposed Rulemaking's (NPRM) Docket Number
23-120 which would reduce power on 60 meters from 100 watts ERP (Effective
Radiated Power) to the equivalent of 9.5 watts ERP.  The NPRM would replace
the current five channels (currently each with a 100-watt power limit) with
a 15 KHz continuous spectrum from 5351.5 to 5366.5 KHz, but limiting power
to the equivalent of 9.5 watts ERP.  ARRL is proposing to keep the current
five channels AND add the docket's proposed 15 KHz of continuous spectrum,
all at a power level of 100 watts ERP. 
 
It's important to note that in 2022 our neighbor, Canada, enacted ARRL's
position by keeping the five current channels AND adding the expanded 15 KHz
of continuous spectrum, all at 100 watts.  ARRL is advocating for the FCC to
adopt the identical allocations and power limits which Canada put in place
over a year ago. 
 
When the FCC authorized 60-meter access for Amateur Radio operators in July
2003, the Commission cited the positive propagation attributes for emergency
communications.  Over the past twenty years during hurricanes, Caribbean
Amateur Radio stations used 60 meters to relay critical weather and
situational reports to U.S. operators.  Clearly, 9.5 watts ERP would be
woefully inadequate to maintain communications for these purposes.
 
In the May 2023 ARRL survey, members overwhelmingly pointed to Spectrum
Defense as the #1 priority of the League.  The Pacific Division takes this
priority seriously.  For the maximum impact, the FCC needs to hear from ARRL
members in California, Nevada, and Hawaii to underscore the importance of 60
meters in our geographically diverse region.  Having a consistent bandplan
with Canada will also ensure harmonious communications throughout most of
North America.
 
PLEASE support the ARRL's filing in this matter.
 
To learn more about the NPRM and its impact on our 60-meter privileges,
please visit https://www.arrl.org/60-meter-band . On this webpage you will
find the links to file comments with the FCC.  Please don't delay.  A
substantial response from the Ham community before the October 30 deadline
is the only way to forestall the loss of our valued operating privileges.
Please urge your fellow Hams to file comments as well.  Protection of our
Amateur Radio spectrum is our number one priority.
  
Kristen McIntyre, K6WX
Pacific Division Director

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ARRL Pacific Division
Director: Kristen A McIntyre, K6WX
k6wx at arrl.org
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