Untitled - Quarter Century Wireless Association

Robert H. McNamara, Chief of FCC Special Services
Division, advised Vaughan that "...when normal
communications systems are overloaded, damaged or disrupted
because a disaster has occurred, or is likely to occur...an
amateur station may make transmissions necessary to meet
essential communications needs and facilitate relief actions. The
rules also state that when a disaster disrupts normal
communication qystems in a particular area, the FCC Engineerin-Charge
in the area concerned may declare a temporary state
of communication emergency and set forth any special
conditions and special rules to be observed by stations during
the communication emergency." (See Sec. 97.401-407.)
Further, amateur stations are authorized to exchange
emergency messages: (1) with a station in other FCC regulated
Services (Sec. 97.lll(aX2); (2) U.S. Government stations
necessary to providing communications in RACES, the Radio
Amateur Civil Emergenry Service (Sec. 97.111(aX3); and (3) a
station in a service not regulated by the FCC but approved by
the FCC to communicate with amateur stations (Sec.
e7.1 I l(a)(4).
McNamara said the issue of re-transmission of
government broadcasts was also considered in 1989, when the
FCC declined to authorize such re-transmissions because these
transmissions (presumably the emergency or warning
transmissions originated by government or broadcast service
stations) can be widely received using very affordable receivers.
This is still true today, and therefore, the FCC can see no reason
to allow the use ofamateur service frequencies for additional retransmissions.
Rules Amended Concerning 222-225 and 1240-1300 MHz
Bands: On November 30, 1992, the FCC adopted a Notice of
Proposed Rule Making proposing (1) to create a subband in the
222-225 MHz band where repeaters would be prohibited; (2) to
authorize frequency privileges for Novice Class operators in the
entire 222-225 lvfrlz band, and (3) to allow Novice Class
operators to be licensecs and control operators of repeaters in
the 222-225 MHz band as well as in the 12'.10-1295 wlz
segment of the 1240-1300 MHz band. On November 19, 1993,
the Commission adopted the proposed rules on establishment of
a subband and authorization of privileges for Novices in the
entire 222-225 MHz band, but declined to adopt the proposal
relating to Novices as control operators and licensees of
repeaters in either band.
The Commission considered carefully the comments
for and against establishing a protected subband. They agreed
with the ARRL that it is desirable that there be a uniform,
nationwide subband where experimental operations can take
place unaffected by repeater use. The concluded that the public
interest would be served by establishing a protected subband at
222.000-222.150 MHz.
The proposal to expand the privileges of Novice Class
operators by authorizing them the entire 222'225 MHz band
met with a very favorable response from the commentors.
There was general agreement that authorizing Novice
Class operators additional frequenry privileges would provide
an opportunity for them to become proficient in a wider variety
of amateur service operations. In addition, Novice Class
operators will have more flexibility in selecting the mode of
transmission that they want to use.
There was significant opposition to the Commission's
proposal to permit Novice Class operators to serve as licensees
and control operators of repeaters in the 222-225 and 1240-
1300 MHz bands. In view of the lack of substantial suppo( by
the amateur community for granting Norice Class operators
these additional privileges, the Commission deided not to
amend the Rules in this respect. It was note4 in this
connection, that the distinction betrren the Novice and
Technician Classes would be diminished by granting Novices
the proposed repeater privileges.
Vanity Call Sign System Proposed by the FCC: On December
29, 1993, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making
(NPRM: PR Docket 93-305) on amendment of the amateur
service Rules to implement a vanity call sign system. This
NPRM marks the beginning of action on the long-awaited
general solution to the matter of requests for "special" call
signs.
The Notice says in part: "Information age technologr is
providing the capability to administer a vanity call sign system
and provide better and more friendly service to our customers.
The Private Radio Bureau's Licensing Division will smn be
installing a new automated licensing process that will provide
greater flexibility in licensing. With the added capability, we
can now propose to amend the rules to implement a system
whereby amateur station licensees could select call signs of their
choice, provided they are not already assigned. This vanity call
sign system would be in addition to the current sequential call
sign system that we would continue to use for those applicants
who do not want a vanity call sign."
Applicants for a vanity call sign would list a maximum
often call signs in order ofpreference. The automated process
would compare the applicant's list with the assigned call signs
in the groups designated in the sequential call sign system /or
the applicant's class o/ operator license. @mphasis ours.) The
first available call sign from the applicant's list would then be
assigned. If none of the call signs listed are available, the
automated process would reassign the call sign that the
applicant had vacated. The vanity call sign(s) listed by the
applicant must be within the /ramework of the sequential call
sign assignment system, wherein certain groups of call signs
are designated for each class of operator license. Applicants,
therefore, could choose call signs from the groups
conesponding to their license classes or lower license classes.
@mphasis ours.)
The Appendix to the NPRM includes proposed new
text for Section 97.L9, to be titled "Application for a vanity call
sign." @xisting Sections 97.L9 et seq would be renumbered.)
The deadline for comments was March 7, 1994, and
for reply comments is April7,1994.
The proposed action overtakes and supersedes an
earlier Order (May 11, 1993) amending the amateur service
rules to establish call sign administrators for club and military
recreation stations. Consequently, the earlier Order was
rescinded by Memorandum Opinion and Order also dated
December 29,1993.
13 Spring 199a