[MRCA] 60 meter primary frequency change?

[Mike Morrow]

Jon asked:

> But the questions that remain are, is one channel going to be assigned 
> as a data channel and if so which one?  And then, who gets to determine 
> this?  Will current band users have any input?

Here are the applicable excerpts from the new rules, which may be read at
 
 http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db1118/FCC-11-171A1.pdf

--- START QUOTE ---
Section 97.303 (h)
60 m band: (1) In the 5330.5-5406.4 kHz band (60 m band), amateur stations
may transmit only on the five center frequencies specified in the table below.
In order to meet this requirement, control operators of stations transmitting
phone, data, and RTTY emissions (emission designators 2K80J3E, 2K80J2D, and
60H0J2B, respectively) may set the carrier frequency 1.5 kHz below the center
frequency as specified in the table below. For CW emissions (emission designator
150HA1A), the carrier frequency is set to the center frequency. Amateur operators
shall ensure that their emissions do not occupy more than 2.8 kHz centered on
each of these center frequencies.

60M BAND FREQUENCIES (KHZ)
Carrier   Center
5330.5    5332.0
5346.5    5348.0
5357.0    5358.5
5371.5    5373.0
5403.5    5405.0

Section 97.307 (f)
(14) In the 60 m band:
(i) A station may transmit only phone, RTTY, data, and CW emissions using
the emission designators and any additional restrictions that are specified
in the table below (except that the use of a narrower necessary bandwidth
is permitted):

60M  BAND EMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Emission type   Emission designator   Restricted to:
Phone           2K80J3E               Upper sideband transmissions (USB)
Data            2K80J2D               USB (for example, PACTOR-III)
RTTY            60H0J2B               USB (for example, PSK31)
CW              150HA1A               Morse telegraphy by means of on-off keying
--- END QUOTE ---

So...any of the five 60m frequencies may be used for USB phone, USB Data, or
USB RTTY, all sent on a carrier frequency 1.5 kHz below the center frequency,
or for CW, sent on the center frequency.

No channel is reserved for any particular one of the authorized modes, nor is 
there any implication anywhere that would ever happen.

The effective date is 30 days AFTER PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER (which
has not yet happened), **NOT** 30 days after November 18!  Don't hop on these
changes BEFORE they take effect.

Mike / KK5F