[SFDXA] 160M under assault, have you commented?

[Bill]

Thanks to Norm W4QN


I am sure those who are 160 enthusiasts are well aware of this FCC 
issue. However many of us operate on that band for contests and pursuit 
of awards and may not be aware of this important issue, and I for one 
was not aware of the request for comment.  Comments on use of the upper 
part of the band by navigation aides (Loran again)is the issue.
Regards,
Norm
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160 Meters FCC Comments

Hi All: I grabbed this off of W3UR's daily bulletin. I was not aware of 
any of this, especially in that it appears that the top half of 160 is 
in play, unless I am reading it wrong. The fact that Frank Donovan seems 
concerned about a lack of comments caught my attention. I will study the 
proposal and file comments accordingly.  However, if you already filed 
comments on this, I'd appreciate a look at your submission so I have an 
idea on what I should focus my comments on. 73--Wally W9BEA
Topband
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __

W3LPL notes time is running out to file comments with the US FCC 
opposing changes to 1900-2000, the upper half of the current 160M band. 
  If radiolocation is allowed to move back into the 1900-2000 spectrum, 
it could force activity up there to squeeze back down into 1800-1900 kHz 
which, Frank says, could mean we “kiss topband DXing goodbye.”  He 
notes, “If you never experienced LORAN, it was a DISASTER, with S9+60 dB 
noise all over the band, 24/7!”  February 25 is the deadline.  Comments 
go to:
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=6017162926 .

Additionally, Frank notes that so far the response from the amateur 
community has been disappointing.  “Let’s not give the FCC the 
impression that few hams care about maintaining and preserving our top 
band.”  Here is another variant of the filing web address:
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view?name=12-338
and online instructions on how to file:
http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/userManual/ecfsmanual.jsp.

As far as I know, there should be nothing preventing our international 
readers from also filing their views.  Perhaps we can get further 
clarification on this in the next day or two, from Frank, Bernie and others.

My own argument is that these bits of spectrum used by hams are 
tantamount to the “national parks” (even “international parks”), the 
bits preserved for the enjoyment of ordinary individuals.  The 
militaries, governments and commercial interests have their large 
“tracts.”  We have these little bits.  They should be preserved and kept 
“unpolluted,” as a global resource.

Relayed from the Topband reflector.


-----Original Message-----
From: Topband [mailto:topband-bounces@ <mailto:topband-bounces@> 
contesting. com] On Behalf Of Anthony Scandurra
Sent: February 09, 2013 14:38
To: k4eg at yahoogroups. com; PVRC; Frankford Radio Club; 
topband at contesting. com
Subject: Topband: Have you filed comments to FCC's proposed changes to 
1900-2000 kHz yet?

This is a rewrite of Don Chester' s excellent posting he made to the Top 
Bandreflector.  It contains simplified instructions for filing you own 
comments.
Thank you, Don, for reminding us all about this!!!

The deadline is the 25th of this month.  Just 16 more days left!

Even if you have zero interest on what goes on in the top half of our 
160 Meter band, its still crucial to get this passed.  In the unlikely 
event that radio location beacons will ever return, it would impact all 
users of
the band, with everyone trying to squeeze into the bottom 100 KHz. This 
may be our only window of opportunity to regain primary status across 
the entire band.

Here's how to file online.  It's really easy!

Click on this link:

http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view?name=12-338

You can view the comments others have filed by clicking on the blue 
circle with an "i" in it in the column on the left labelled "Recent 
Public Filings" .  If you need ideas about what to write, you can get 
them from filings made by other hams.

To submit your own filing, write a letter of your own in a word 
processor like WordPad (comes with every version of Windows since the 
early 90s), Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or AbiWord.  If your word 
processor supports it, save it in PDF format (Word, AbiWord and 
OpenOffice all do).

Then, go to this link:

http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/begin?procName=12-338&filedFrom=E

Fill out all of the required fields (the ones with red asterisks next to 
them - there are only five).  You can leave all the other fields blank. 
Attach your document using the "Choose File" button at the bottom.

Let's not give the FCC the impression that few hams care about 
maintaining and preserving Top Band.

73, Tony K4QE
____________ _____
Topband Reflector