[SFDXA] Urge the FCC-Reject ARRL's Symbol Rate Petition

Sun Dec 8 23:45:53 EST 2013

Be careful what you wish for. Under the current FCC rules there is NO bandwidth 
restriction on digital communications. As radio capabilities (read that software 
defined radios capable of wide bandwidth) people will define wide band digital 
systems exceeding the currently used  2200 Hz digital modulations. Those 
modulations were designed to fit inside the linear portion of the  BW of most of 
today's radios.

The big danger in defeating the ARRL proposal is that as future rig capabilities 
increase, and linear bandwidths get bigger, like in some  SDR radios, people 
will begin filling that bandwidth capabillity with modulations much wider than 
today's 2200 Hz modulations, and UNDER TODAY'S RULES.
I think that we need a defined bandwidth limit (which is completely distinct 
from a baud rate limit).

AA5AU's analysis is dangerously flawed.  Many of the issues he raises are valid 
ham radio concerns but they have little or nothing to do with RM-11708.
73
Kai, KE4PT

On 12/8/2013 9:15 AM, Bill wrote:
> From Don AA5AU:(edited for space)
>
> I threw together a webpage showing how to file comments on the recent ARRL 
> Petition designated RM-11708. It is located at:
> http://aa5au.com/fcc/how-to-comment.html
>
> It is IMPORTANT that each of you, whether you live in the United States or 
> not, file a comment showing your opposition (or support)
> of the ARRL Petition. As mentioned on this reflector previously, this petition 
> has world-wide ramifications.
>
> The only way we are going to defeat this thing is with an abundance of 
> well-thought out
> comments directed against the petition.
>
> If you would like to see what comments have been submitted, you can go to:
>
> http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view?name=RM-11708
>
> Feel free to forward these links to any other organizations that may benefit 
> from them. I will post a link to the how-to-comment
> page on the home pages of rttycontesting.com and aa5au.com later today.
>
> 73, Don AA5AU
>
>
>
> On 12/8/2013 9:01 AM, Norm Alexander wrote:
>> The following is an argument for writing the FCC opposing the ARRL Symbol 
>> Rate Petition written by Dave AA6YQ author of DXLab logging program, and 
>> active DXer.
>>
>>
>> What I thought sounding like a reasonable request by the ARRL, after reading 
>> Dave's argument, I have changed my mind -  something to think about.  Note 
>> comments are due by Dec. 17th
>>
>> Norm W4QN
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> Sent: December 07, 2013 14:33
>> To: dxlab at yahoogroups. com
>> Cc: Dave AA6YQ
>> Subject: [dxlab] Why (and How) You Should Urge the FCC to Reject the ARRL's
>> Symbol Rate Petition
>>
>> Note: the message below is not directly relevant to DXLab, but as I consider
>> this issue critical to all amateur radio operators, I am taking the liberty
>> of posting it here.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Dave, AA6YQ
>>
>> The ARRL has filed a petition with the FCC to replace the current symbol
>> rate limits with a bandwidth limit. If accepted, digital modes as wide as
>> 2800 hertz would become legal for use by US hams on HF bands. Pactor 3,
>> which is legal under the current symbol rate limit, is 2200 hertz wide.
>>
>> If the ARRL's petition were accepted, automatic (unattended) digital mode
>> stations currently using Pactor 3 could be upgraded to wider modes. Many
>> automatic stations lack the ability to forego transmitting on a busy
>> frequency, and thus interfere with ongoing QSOs. If automatic stations are
>> permitted to use modes with bandwidths up to 2800 hertz, the incidence of
>> this interference will increase significantly.
>>
>> While US-based automatic stations using digital modes wider than 500 hertz
>> are restricted to specified sub-bands (e.g. 10,140 - 10,150, 14,095 -
>> 14,099, 14,101-14,112, 21,090 - 21,100, 24,925 - 24930), these frequencies
>> are shared with QSOs between live operators. Furthermore, the WinLink
>> network now claims that its automatic stations are actually under the
>> control of the remote stations that invoke them, and are therefore no longer
>> restricted to these sub-bands. This network now advertises US-based
>> automatic stations running Pactor 3 outside the automatic sub-bands -
>> automatic stations that could be upgraded to 2800 hertz modes if the ARRL
>> Petition is accepted.
>>
>> Allowing automatic stations to use wider digital modes without first taking
>> steps to reduce the interference they cause to ongoing QSOs is a recipe for
>> increased conflict and ill will - the opposite of what's needed. In the
>> interest of continued innovation, we should allow the use of wider digital
>> modes on HF bands - but in a manner that reduces interference and conflict,
>> rather than making it worse as the ARRL's petition would do.
>>
>> I therefore urge you to oppose the ARRL's petition by filing comments with
>> the FCC before December 17. Don AA5AU has provided instructions for doing
>> so:
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> South Florida DX Assoc.
>> SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
>> SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
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>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> South Florida DX Assoc.
> SFDXA WebSite: http://www.SFDXA.com
> SFDXA Repeater 147.33+ 103.5 Tone
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