FCC Seeks Comments on Impediments to Amateur Radio Communications

[W3WN]

DA 12-523, Released April 2, 2012

COMMISSION SEEKS COMMENT ON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS BY AMATEUR

RADIO AND IMPEDIMENTS TO AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

GN Docket No. 12-91

Comment Date: May 17, 2012

By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau seek comment on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief. As set forth below, comment is sought on issues relating to the importance of emergency Amateur Radio Service communications and on impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications. Stakeholder entities and organizations, include the Amateur Radio, emergency response, and disaster communications communities, are particularly encouraged to submit comments.

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0402/DA-12-523A1.pdf

[KC2UGV]

Hm... Have to digest this one. There are some "catches" I see, like "offering" to link hospitals to amateur bands...

[KC2UGV]

I have no idea how to submit comments, but I do believe that one rule change that could increase amateur radio's usage in emergency situations is to remove the data speed limit for our bands.

Right now, there is an artificial limit placed us, by baud rate. It should be ruled merely by bandwidth.

An example, why should data rates on HF be limited to 300 baud? Why not just limit the signal to the bandwidth that of an SSB (Or AM) signal? Why is there ANY limit on 6M and below?

Another impediment is the lack of PRB-1 applying to amateur stations. PRB-1 should be expanded to include all antenna for use in a licensed (By rule, or by issuance) operator.

[w0aew]

The biggest impediment to effective use of ham radio in emergencies is ham radio operators.

[W3WN]

I have no idea how to submit comments, < snip >

No problem. It's all in the document, on Page 4:

Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the

ECFS: http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/.

They also ask that the reply comments should be organized by the headings used in the document.

That said, I think by "impediments" they're thinking of regulatory ones... such as zoning restrictions, CC&R's, and other such legal posturing.

[KJ3N]

The biggest impediment to effective use of ham radio in emergencies is ham radio operators.

^^^^This^^^^

[ki4itv]

That's funny, smells like someone mentioned regulation by bandwidth in here.
Probably just a lingering stench though.
whew! Strong too.
;)

[KC2UGV]

That's funny, smells like someone mentioned regulation by bandwidth in here.
Probably just a lingering stench though.
whew! Strong too.
;)

Sort of. I figure if an AM signal is allowed, then why not a 24.4K baud digital signal, if they occupy the same bandwidth?

[ad4mg]

Sort of. I figure if an AM signal is allowed, then why not a 24.4K baud digital signal, if they occupy the same bandwidth?

Will the 24.4K baud digital signal originate from a device capable of signal detection so as to avoid QRM to existing QSO's?
Will the operator of said device actually use that signal detection?
Will a control operator be present, or will the fictitious "semi-automatic" scheme be utilized?
Will these digital signals be allowed in the same sement of spectrum as say, SSB? Incompatible modes will create problems.

It smells like another attempt at a spectrum grab by the ARRL and its dirty winlink associates. I reckon Waterman and his goons have been crying to the ARRL and the FCC for a little longer than 10 years now. It seems a logical time for the FCC to finally do something. Of course, the FCC knows little or nothing about amateur radio, so expect a total clusterboink when they do.

Other than that, I really have no opinion on this.

[VE7DCW]

The biggest impediment to effective use of ham radio in emergencies is ham radio operators.

It proves Whackers have an enormously narrow comfort zone that will give new meaning to "entertainment" for us of the masses that will enjoy the potentiel cryfest on QRZ ........ **cue Chuckles and WINLINK sympathy** ....this will be fun!