[SFDXA] ARLB035 Bandwidth Limits Replace Symbol Rates on the HF Bands, Other Bands Open for Comment

[Bill]

> SB QST @ ARL $ARLB035
> ARLB035 Bandwidth Limits Replace Symbol Rates on the HF Bands, Other
> Bands Open for Comment
> 
> ZCZC AG35
> QST de W1AW  
> ARRL Bulletin 35  ARLB035
> From ARRL Headquarters  
> Newington CT  December 11, 2023
> To all radio amateurs 
> 
> SB QST ARL ARLB035
> ARLB035 Bandwidth Limits Replace Symbol Rates on the HF Bands, Other
> Bands Open for Comment
> 
> The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published new rules
> adopted last month that replace the symbol rate restrictions on the
> HF bands with a bandwidth limit of 2.8 kHz. The new rules go into
> effect January 8, 2024.
> 
> Please see
> https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/07/2023-26770/amateur-radio-service-rules-to-permit-greater-flexibility-in-data-communications
> for further details.
> 
> The bands and band segments affected by the rules change are those
> authorized for data transmission between 160 and 10 meters,
> exclusive of 60 meters (where no change was made).
> 
> In adopting a bandwidth limit in place of the baud rate limit the
> FCC agreed with ARRL that some limitation is necessary because
> "without a baud rate or bandwidth limit, data stations using a large
> amount of spectrum for a single emission could do so to the
> detriment of simultaneous use by other stations using narrowband
> emission modes."
> 
> ARRL has advocated for this change for a long time. The move opens
> amateur data communications to faster and more modern modes and
> restores the incentive for amateurs to experiment with and develop
> faster and more efficient data methods. Previously, ARRL obtained
> waivers to the symbol rate rules on a case-by-case basis to
> facilitate communications during situations like hurricane
> responses. These delays will now be removed, permitting drills to be
> conducted with the faster modes and more timely responses when
> needed.
> 
> The FCC also requested comment on removing similar symbol rate
> restrictions in the rules governing 135.7 - 137.8 kHz (2200-meter
> band), 472 - 479 kHz (630-meter band), and the very high-frequency
> (VHF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) bands.
> 
> The VHF bands with baud rates are the 6-meter band, 2-meter band,
> and the 1.25-meter band. The single UHF band with a baud rate is the
> 70-centimeter band (420 - 450 MHz). The Further Notice of Proposed
> Rule Making (FNPRM) proposes to maintain the existing bandwidth
> limits in the Commission's rules for these VHF and UHF bands but
> seeks comment on whether they should be kept, and if so, whether the
> bandwidths should be changed. The Commission also sought comment on
> whether bandwidth limits should be adopted for application to the
> 2200 and 630-meter bands, and if so, what an appropriate bandwidth
> limit would be.
> 
> Public comments on these additional issues are sought in the FNPRM.
> The comment period is open until January 8, 2024. Replies to
> comments are due no later than January 22, 2024. If changes are
> later adopted, the rules will go into effect in the same manner as
> they did for the other bands -- after notice and publication in the
> Federal Register.
> NNNN
> /EX