[Milsurplus] FCC 'Omnibus' Amateur Radio Report and Order

[David Ross]

Includes a big increase in the size of HF voice subbands (Amateur Extra
licensees now have voice privileges from 3600-4000 KHz).



See the original at:
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/10/11/100/>
or read the gist of it here:



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
+ 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