[SFDXA] NTIA: No Objection to Additional Data Modes on 60 Meters

[Bill]

03/28/2012
In response to requests for clarification from the ARRL, the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has confirmed 
that it has no objection to the use of a broader range of data emissions 
by amateurs on the five 5 MHz frequencies on 60 meters. ARRL’s original 
understanding was that the NTIA preferred that the use of 2K80J2D 
emission be limited to Pactor III. The NTIA now says that that is not 
the case.

In an e-mail response to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, 
K1ZZ, Karl Nebbia, Associate Administrator of the NTIA Office of 
Spectrum Management, stated, “NTIA has no interest in limiting the types 
of emission used by the amateurs as long as the data emission does not 
exceed the 2.8 kHz bandwidth generated by the upper sideband 
transmitter.” Nebbia referred all further inquiries to the FCC, which 
“…sets the conditions for use of the five 5 MHz frequencies by the 
amateurs.”

The requirement of only one signal per channel remains, as well as the 
prohibition against automatic operation. The FCC continues to require 
that all digital transmissions be centered on the channel-center 
frequencies, which the Report and Order defines as being 1.5 kHz above 
the suppressed carrier frequency of a transceiver operated in the Upper 
Sideband (USB) mode. This is typically the frequency shown on the 
frequency display.

Channel USB Suppressed Carrier (kHz) Center (kHz)

1 5330.5 5332.0

2 5346.5 5348.0

3 5357.0 5358.5

4 5371.5 5373.0

5 5403.5 5405.0

The ARRL advises amateurs to operate with care when using digital modes 
in consideration of the fact that hams are secondary users on these 
frequencies. See the revised 60-Meter FAQ page on the ARRL Web, as well 
as the revised ARRL 60-Meter Recommended Practices document.


http://www.arrl.org/news/ntia-no-objection-to-additional-data-modes-on-60-meters