[RVRC] Fwd: ARRL Call to Action: FCC & 60 Meters

[N2GJ]

>From my Rocky Mountain Division Director...Please read and respond!
Thanks.

Stay safe & effective. Be well! 73,

GJ
Gerry Jurrens N2GJ
mailto:n2gj at amsat.org
Albuquerque, NM USA
http://www.bosquearc.com



---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: ARRL Members Only Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
Date: Thu, Oct 26, 2023 at 10:23 AM
Subject: ARRL Call to Action: FCC & 60 Meters
To: <gjurrens at gmail.com>


The FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (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 Rocky Mountain Division
takes this priority seriously.  For the maximum impact, the FCC needs to
hear from ARRL members to underscore the importance of 60 meters.
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.

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ARRL Rocky Mountain Division
Director: Jeff Ryan, K0RM
k0rm at arrl.org
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