Amateur Radio Use of the Allocation at 5 MHz, 5406-5413 [2012-2477]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
HSM 49 Concrete pillar erected by
the First Polish Antarctic Expedition at
Dobrowski Station on Bunger Hill in
January 1959, to measure acceleration
due to gravity.
HSM 50 Brass Plaque bearing the
Polish Eagle at Fildes Peninsula, King
George Island, South Shetland Islands.
HSM 51 Grave of Wlodzimierz
Puchalski, surmounted by an iron cross
south of Arctowski station on King
George Island, South Shetland Islands.
HSM 52 Monolith commemorating
the establishment on 20 February 1985
of the ‘‘Great Wall Station’’ on Fildes
Peninsula, King George Island, South
Shetland Islands.
HSM 53 Bust of Captain Luis
Alberto Pardo, monolith and plaques on
Point Wild, Elephant Island, South
Shetland Islands.
HSM 54 Richard E. Byrd Historic
Monument, a bronze bust at McMurdo
Station.
HSM 55 East Base, Antarctica,
Stonington Island (Buildings and
artifacts) erected by the Antarctic
Service Expedition (1939–1941) and the
Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition
(1947–1948).
HSM 56 Waterboat Point, Danco
Coast, (remains of hut and environs).
HSM 57 Plaque at ‘‘Yankee Bay’’
(Yankee Harbour), MacFarlane Strait,
Greenwich Island, South Shetland
Islands.
HSM 59 Cairn on Half Moon Beach,
Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island, South
Shetland Islands and a Plaque on ‘Cerro
Gaviota’ opposite San Telmo Islets.
HSM 60 Wooden plaque and cairn
placed in November 1903 at ‘‘Penguins
Bay,’’ Seymour Island (Marambio),
James Ross Archipelago.
HSM 61 ‘‘Base A’’ at Port Lockroy,
Goudier Island, off Wiencke Island.
HSM 62 ‘‘Base F’’ (Wordie House),
on Winter Island, Argentine Islands.
HSM 63 ‘‘Base Y’’ on Horseshoe
Island, Marguerite Bay, western Graham
Land.
HSM 64 ‘‘Base E’’ on Stonington
Island, Marguerite Bay, western Graham
Land.
HSM 65 Message post erected in
January 1895 on Svend Foyn Island,
Possession Islands.
HSM 66 Prestrud’s cairn, Scott
Nunataks, Alexandra Mountains,
Edward VII Peninsula erected in
December 1911.
HSM 67 Rock shelter known as
‘‘Granite House,’’ erected in 1911 at
Cape Geology, Granite Harbour.
HSM 68 Site of depot at Hells Gate
Moraine, Inexpressible Island, Terra
Nova Bay.
HSM 69 Message post at Cape
Crozier, Ross Island, erected January
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1902 by Capt. Robert F. Scott’s
Discovery Expedition.
HSM 70 Message post at Cape
Wadworth, Coulman Island, erected
January 1902 by Capt. Robert F. Scott.
HSM 71 Whalers Bay, Deception
Island, South Shetland Islands (includes
whaling artifacts).
HSM 72 Mikkelsen Cairn, Tryne
Islands, Vestfold Hills.
HSM 73 Memorial Cross for the
1979 Mount Erebus crash victims,
erected in January 1987 at Lewis Bay,
Ross Island.
HSM 74 Unnamed cove on the
south-west coast of Elephant Island,
South Shetland Islands, including the
foreshore and intertidal area, in which
the wreckage of a large wooden sailing
vessel is located.
HSM 75 ‘‘A Hut’’ of Scott base, Pram
Point, Ross Island.
HSM 76 Ruins of base Pedro Aguirre
Cerda, Pendulum Cove, Deception
Island, South Shetland Islands.
HSM 77 Cape Denison,
Commonwealth Bay, George V Land,
including Boat Harbour and the historic
artifacts contained within its waters.
HSM 78 Memorial Plaque at India
Point, Humboldt Mountains, Wohlthat
Massif, central Dronning Maud Land.
HSM 79 Lillie Marleen Hut, Mt.
Dockery, Everett Range, Northern
Victoria Land.
HSM 80 Amundsen’s Tent erected
in December 1911 at the South Pole.
HSM 81 Rocher du Debarquement
(Landing Rock).
HSM 82 Monument to the Antarctic
Treaty and Plaques, Fildes Peninsula,
King George Island, South Shetland
Islands.
HSM 83 Base ‘‘W’’ established in
1956 at Detaille Island, Lallemande
Fjord, Loubert Coast.
HSM 84 Hut erected in 1973 at
Damoy Point, Dorian Bay, Wiencke
Island, Palmer Archipelago.
HSM 85 Plaque Commemorating the
PM–3A Nuclear Power Plant at
McMurdo Station.
HSM 86 No.1 Building
Commemorating China’s Antarctic
Expedition at Great Wall/Station.
ACTION:
Final rule.
This document amends the
Commission’s rules to facilitate more
efficient and effective use by the
Amateur Radio Service of five channels
in the 5330.5–5406.4 kHz band (the 60
meter band). Specifically, and
consistent with our proposals in the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in this
proceeding, the Commission replaces
one of the channels with a less
encumbered one, increases the
maximum authorized power amateur
stations may transmit in this band, and
authorizes amateur stations to transmit
three additional emission designators.
The Commission also adopts an
additional operational rule that
prohibits the use of automatically
controlled digital stations and makes
editorial revisions to the relevant
portions of the Table of Frequency
Allocations (Allocation Table) and our
service rules.
DATES: Effective March 5, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Mooring, Office of Engineering and
Technology, 202–418–2450,
tom.mooring@fcc.gov.
SUMMARY:
[FR Doc. 2012–1392 Filed 2–2–12; 8:45 am]
This is a
summary of the Commission’s Report
and Order, ET Docket No. 10–98, FCC
11–171, adopted November 16, 2011
and released November 18, 2011. The
full text of this document is available for
inspection and copying during normal
business hours in the FCC Reference
Center (Room CY–A257), 445 12th
Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. The
complete text of this document also may
be purchased from the Commission’s
copy contractor, Best Copy and Printing,
Inc., 445 12th Street SW., Room, CY–
B402, Washington, DC 20554. The full
text may also be downloaded at:
www.fcc.gov. People with Disabilities:
To request materials in accessible
formats for people with disabilities
(braille, large print, electronic files,
audio format), send an email to
fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202–
418–0530 (voice), 202–418–0432 (tty).
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
Summary of Report and Order
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 2 and 97
[ET Docket No. 10–98; FCC 11–171]
Amateur Radio Use of the Allocation at
5 MHz
Federal Communications
Commission.
AGENCY:
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. On May 4, 2010, the Commission
issued an NPRM in this proceeding, in
which it proposed to adopt the three
rule modifications requested by the
American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
The Commission also identified and
sought comment on four operational
issues: (1) Would a transmission time
limit help ensure that amateur operators
transmitting the two data emissions
avoid causing harmful interference to
Federal users in instances where
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Federal agencies exercise their primary
use of the 60 meter band, and if so,
would 3 minutes be sufficient, or is
another limit more appropriate? (2)
Should amateur stations be permitted to
transmit emission types in addition to
those proposed in the NPRM? (3) Would
a Voice-Operated Transmit (VOX) mode
of operation, which ARRL
recommended that we require for
amateur operators transmitting phone
emissions, increase the potential for
interference because of its susceptibility
to keying a radio to transmit under high
surrounding noise environments such as
might be found in an emergency
operations center? (4) Should amateur
operators that provide emergency
communications using the 60 meter
band be encouraged to add a sound
card-generated Automatic Link
Establishment (ALE) capability to their
stations?
2. The Commission first addresses the
three key rule changes identified in the
NPRM that can lead to more efficient
and effective use of the 60 meter band
by the Amateur Radio Service: replacing
one channel, increasing power limits,
and adding emission designators. The
Commission then discusses
modifications to specific operational
rules, including several matters where it
concludes that it is unnecessary to
change the existing rules.
Replacement Channel
3. In its petition, ARRL requested that
the Commission replace one of the five
channels in the 60 meter band (5368
kHz) with a channel (5358.5 kHz) that
the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) has
identified. ARRL based its request on
reports from amateur operators of
frequent interference from a digital
signal on the existing authorized
channel. The Commission concludes
that its proposal to replace the 5368 kHz
channel with one centered on 5358.5
kHz will benefit amateur operations in
the 60 meter band and adopts this rule
change.
4. The Commission notes that three
commenters suggest that the new
channel should be an additional
channel, not a replacement channel.
Because the existing model of secondary
amateur radio use of five channels is
acceptable to the primary Federal users
in the 60 meter band and was the basis
of the discussions between ARRL and
NTIA that formed the outline of our
proposal, the Commission did not
pursue this proposal.
5. Finally, in considering those
comments that discuss the adjustments
that amateur radio operators and
equipment manufacturers will need to
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make to use the replacement channel,
the Commission concludes that
proposed § 97.303(h) requires a de
minimis adjustment. This action ensures
that a large installed base of equipment
is not rendered technically out of
compliance under our modified rules.
Accordingly, the Commission amends
footnote US381 and § 97.303(h) by
removing 5368 kHz, by adding the
center (assigned) frequency 5358.5 kHz,
and by defining the 60 meter band as
the 5330.5–5406.4 kHz band; and also
amends § 97.303(h) by adding carrier
frequencies for each of the five channels
in the 60 meter band that are 1.5 kHz
below the center frequency. In addition,
the Commission renumbers footnote
US381 as US23 to be consistent with its
current numbering system for domestic
footnotes that is based on frequency
order.
Power Increase
6. Section 97.313(i) states that no
station may transmit with an effective
radiated power (ERP) exceeding 50 W
PEP on the 60 meter band and also
provides a simplified means of
calculating ERP. In the NPRM, the
Commission proposed to increase the
maximum ERP that amateur stations
may transmit on channels in the 60
meter band from 50 to 100 W PEP.
Based on the record, the Commission
adopts its proposal.
7. The Commission believes that the
examples cited by the commenters offer
compelling reasons to support its
tentative conclusion that an increase in
maximum power would serve to
facilitate many amateur radio
communications with minimal risk of
harmful interference. It also rejects
requests for higher power limits, such as
500 W PEP. There is no indication that
a greater power limit would produce
substantially greater benefits or that any
increased potential for harmful
interference at this power limit has been
fully considered. Additionally, the
Commission does not believe that it
would be useful to complicate the rules
by establishing different power limits
for different circumstances, as some
commenters suggest. Because the
minimal 50 W PEP increase does not
significantly increase the potential for
interference between stations, such a
distinction is not necessary or
warranted. Just as with the existing 50
W PEP power limit, a 100 W limit that
applies to all channels will be
straightforward, easy to understand, and
easy to apply. Thus, the Commission
concludes that there is a tangible
benefit—greater communication
abilities that will enhance amateur
emergency communication activities—
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that will accrue if it increase the power
limit to 100 W PEP and that the record
shows that the costs (i.e., the increased
potential for harmful interference) are
minimal. The Commission specifically
rejects alternate options such as an even
higher power increase or different
power limits for different
circumstances, because these options
would introduce added costs—a
significantly greater interference
potential and added regulatory
complexity—that would sharply reduce
the overall benefits of the rule change.
8. As part of its amendment of the
transmitter power standard applicable
to the 60 meter band, the Commission
clarifies the second sentence in
§ 97.313(i) by revising ‘‘dipole’’ to read
‘‘half-wave dipole antenna,’’ by
removing unnecessary text, and by
explicitly stating that a numeric gain of
1 is equivalent to 0 dBd. The
Commission likewise corrects an errant
cross-reference in § 97.313(f) of its
transmitter power rules that was
introduced when it recently combined
two footnotes.
Additional Emissions
9. Under the existing rules, only
upper sideband voice transmissions are
permitted in the 60 meter band. In the
NPRM, the Commission proposed to
authorize the use of three additional
emission designators in the band: CW
emission 150HA1A, which is Morse
telegraphy by means of on-off keying,
and data emissions 2K80J2D and
60H0J2B. In § 97.307(f)(14)(i) of the
proposed rules, the Commission
restricts emission designator 2K80J2D to
data using PACTOR–III technique and
emission designator 60H0J2B to data
using PSK31 technique. The
Commission also sought comment on
whether amateur stations could be
permitted to transmit emission types in
addition to those requested by ARRL in
the 60 meter band without increasing
the likelihood of interference to primary
users. As discussed, the Commission
adopts its proposal to allow the use of
the three additional emission
designators.
10. Emission Designators. Our
proposal drew a wide range of
responses. Although the majority of
commenters fully or generally support
the proposals that the Commission
made in the NPRM, many commenters
expressed concerns about some or all of
the proposed new emission designators.
Commenters were most supportive of
the proposed addition of emission
designators 150HA1A and 60H0J2B. By
contrast, the proposal to add emission
type 2K80J2D proved much more
divisive. The record also includes a few
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commenters who are skeptical that
additional emission types are
appropriate for the 60 meter band.
11. Finally, some commenters suggest
limiting some or all of the proposed
emissions to a specified channel or
channels within the 60 meter band.
While the specific channel use
proposals vary by commenter, there is a
general view among these commenters
that such an approach would help offset
possible interference between emission
types or that a specific channel/mode
assignment would promote efficiency.
12. Specific Techniques of the Data
Emissions. Commenters strongly believe
that the use of the emission designators
60H0J2B and 2K80J2D should not be
restricted to the specific techniques of
PSK31 and PACTOR–III, respectively.
This approach differs from what was
proposed in the NPRM.
13. The Commission adopts its
proposal to authorize the use of three
additional emission designators in the
60 meter band. These additional
capabilities can serve to enhance
amateur emergency communications
and allow for greater experimentation in
the band, and it believes that doing so
is in the public interest. We note,
however, that because ‘‘emission J2B’’ is
specifically defined in part 97 of our
rules to be a Radio Teletype (RTTY)
emission, emission designator 60H0J2B
must be codified as a RTTY emission in
order to provide for consistency within
part 97 of our rules. Accordingly, the
Commission authorizes control
operators to transmit the following
additional emission types and
designators in the 60 meter band: CW
emissions, limited to emission
150HA1A (i.e., Morse code telegraphy);
data emissions, limited to emission
2K80J2D (exemplified by PACTOR–III);
and RTTY emissions, limited to
emission 60H0J2B (exemplified by
PSK31).
14. The Commission recognizes that
many commenters are concerned that
the addition of new emission types—
data emission types in general and
PACTOR–III specifically—holds the risk
of reducing the utility of these channels
for many amateurs, especially for those
who may not readily recognize data
transmissions and may avoid use of the
channels out of an abundance of
caution. The Commission concludes
that there are ways to minimize any
potential disruption that the new
emission types could cause. ARRL notes
that amateur ‘‘stations typically utilize
relatively short transmissions in
telegraphy and are able to manually
detect the presence of a non-Amateur
signal within the channel bandwidth
while operating in that mode’’ and that
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the ‘‘same is true of 60H0J2B and
2K80J2D emissions, if careful manual
operating practices are used.’’ Moreover,
ARRL commits to the necessary
dissemination of ‘‘best practices’’
information to the amateur community
on a timely basis and to the adoption
and publication of a comprehensive
band plan for these channels that will
maintain maximum flexibility in
Amateur use without interference.
Lastly, the Commission adopts certain
operational rules, which will serve to
ensure that the new emission types are
used in a manner that promotes
continued shared use of the band by all.
15. The Commission declines to adopt
any emission designators beyond the
three proposed in the NPRM. ARRL
states that its discussions with NTIA
about the additional emission types
were very specific and what was
endorsed by NTIA was very specifically
limited to the three additional emissions
requested in its petition and no others.
The Commission agrees that this is the
best course, as it is consistent with
existing understandings between
Federal and amateur radio interests.
Similarly, it does not find it necessary
to modify the band plan by, for
example, requiring that certain emission
types be used on specified channels or
during specified emergency events. The
Commission believes that ARRL and the
amateur community can work within
the framework we establish to promote
continued cooperative use of the 60
meter band and that the imposition of
such complex and burdensome channel
and emission use restrictions is
unnecessary. In sum, the additional
emission designators will benefit the
amateur radio community by providing
new opportunities to use the 60 meter
band. While the Commission recognizes
that this added flexibility means that
some users could face reduced utility of
the band for certain emission types, we
are confident that any detrimental
impact can be avoided if the amateur
radio community continues its legacy of
following best practices and exercising
sound judgment in sharing the available
spectrum.
16. Finally, the Commission agrees
with commenters that limiting digital
operation to a specific technique
discourages the further development of
additional techniques, which may be
more efficient than those currently in
use. Therefore, the Commission
authorizes an amateur station
transmitting RTTY emission 60H0J2B or
data emission 2K80J2D to use any
unspecified digital code, subject to the
requirements of § 97.309(b). The
Commission amended § 97.305(c) by
inserting the 60 meter band entry,
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which lists ‘‘Phone, RTTY, data’’ under
the heading ‘‘Emission types
authorized.’’ In addition, it amended
§ 97.307 by adding new paragraph
(f)(14) to list the emission types and
designators and other restrictions.
Operational Requirements
17. Transmission time limit. The
Commission also sought comment on
whether to adopt a rule addressing
transmission time limits. The existing
rules address station identification and
require each amateur station operating
on the 60 meter band to transmit its
assigned call sign on its transmitting
channel at the end of each
communication, and at least every ten
minutes during a communication, for
the purpose of making the source of the
transmissions from the station clearly
known. The Commission proposed, at a
minimum, to add a rule stating that
‘‘[t]he control operator of a station
transmitting data emissions must
exercise care to limit the length of
transmission so as to avoid causing
harmful interference to United States
Government stations’’ but also asked
whether codifying a specific time limit
would help ensure that amateur
licensees avoid causing harmful
interference to primary Federal users.
18. The Commission declines to adopt
a specific limit on transmission length
and adopts the more general rule
language that it proposed. Based on the
clear history of successful amateur
service sharing of the 60 meter band and
the lack of a consensus among the
commenters, the Commission finds that
there is no need to adopt a specific time
limit. It believes that the existing station
identification rule and the new rule text,
together with good amateur radio
practice and the instruction and support
of ARRL (including its anticipated ‘‘best
practices’’ guide), will ensure that
amateur radio operators using the data
and RTTY emissions do not cause
harmful interference to primary Federal
users. Accordingly, the Commission
amends footnote US381 (renumbered
herein as US23) and
§ 97.307(f)(14)(ii)(B) by adding the
proposed sentences (except that RTTY
emissions are listed separately from data
emissions).
19. Automatically Controlled Digital
Stations. Section 97.221(c) permits
automatic control of an amateur station
while transmitting a RTTY or data
emission and § 97.109 states that when
a station is being automatically
controlled, the control operator is not
required to be at the control point.
Commenters express concern that data
emissions—in particular, PACTOR–III—
may not effectively detect upper
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sideband (USB) emissions in progress
and inhibit or cease transmissions when
necessary when they are operating as
automatic, unattended data stations.
ARRL states that amateur stations
typically utilize relatively short
transmissions in telegraphy and are able
to manually detect the presence of a
non-amateur signal within the channel
bandwidth while operating in that mode
and that the same would be true of
60H0J2B and 2K80J2D emissions, if
careful ‘‘manual’’ operating practices are
used. The Commission finds merit in
the commenters’ concerns and
concludes that ARRL’s underlying
assumption that stations transmitting
data emissions are not under automatic
control should be incorporated in the
Commission’s rules as part of its
decision to add new data emission
types. The Commission’s prohibition on
automatically controlled stations will
also help ensure that when Federal
agencies need to exercise their primary
use of the 60 meter band frequencies,
amateur licensees will be better
positioned to avoid causing harmful
interference and it included this
restriction in § 97.221(c).
20. Operation on Channel Centers.
Section 97.303(h) currently requires that
amateur operators ensure that their
station’s transmission occupies only 2.8
kHz centered at each of the five center
frequencies. The NPRM proposed that,
for amateur stations transmitting CW
emissions and PSK31 data emissions,
the carrier frequency shall be set to the
center frequency. NTIA has requested
that the Commission continue to restrict
amateur service transmissions in this
manner.
21. The Commission adopts the center
frequency requirement as proposed in
the NPRM. Because the amateur service
operates in the 60 meter band on a
secondary basis, the Commission pays
particular attention to NTIA’s position
and the interests of Federal agencies
that have primary status in the band.
The Commission concludes that
continuing to restrict amateur stations to
transmitting on the center frequencies
will maintain the limited number of
amateur operators using the five
channels at any given time and provide
certainty as to where such operations
can be found. By not upsetting the
expectations of the Federal users of the
band, it is confident that they will be
able to immediately reclaim these
frequencies from secondary amateur
radio operations, if and when necessary.
Accordingly, the Commission amends
§ 97.303(h) to specify that control
operators of stations transmitting phone,
data, and RTTY emissions (emission
designators 2K80J3E, 2K80J2D, and
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60H0J2B, respectively) may set the
carrier frequency 1.5 kHz below the
center frequency, and that, for stations
transmitting CW emissions (emission
designator 150HA1A), the carrier
frequency is set to the center frequency.
22. VOX Requirement. The
Commission requested comment on
whether amateur operators should be
required to use VOX in the phone
emission mode, which ARRL stated
would permit a Federal user to interrupt
an amateur station’s transmission
quickly and easily without waiting for
an unpredictable end of the
transmission. The Commission
specifically sought comment on whether
a VOX mode of operation might increase
the potential for interference because of
its susceptibility to keying a radio to
transmit under high surrounding noise
environments such as might be found in
an emergency operations center.
23. The Commission agrees with the
majority of commenters that improper
operation of VOX would cause
increased interference, and it therefore
declines to require the use of VOX by
amateur stations transmitting a phone
emission in the 60 meter band.
Moreover, amateur communications in
the 60 meter band already successfully
co-exist without a VOX requirement,
and the Commission sees no reason why
this cannot continue. The Commission
will rely on control operators to choose
between PTT and VOX operations,
based on their abilities, equipment, and
operating conditions.
24. ALE Capability. At the request of
NTIA, the Commission solicited
comment on whether amateur operators
that provide emergency
communications using the 60 meter
band should be encouraged to add a
sound card generated ALE capability to
their stations. ALE is a standard for
initiating and sustaining
communications using High Frequency
(HF) radio.
25. The Commission recognizes that
ALE allows emergency control operators
to use multiple channels efficiently and
reduces the time spent trying to connect
with another station. However, it also
shares commenters’ concerns that there
is a potential for channel
monopolization due to periodic
transmissions, which are not subject to
manual control, and that users who do
not have ALE capability may have no
way of determining who is interfering
with their operation. ARRL takes no
position on whether we should
encourage amateur operators to add ALE
capability to their stations but does state
that it would not support modifying the
Commission’s Rules to specifically
require ALE. One commenter states that
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the inclusion of ALE on 60 meters is a
larger issue and ought to be addressed
in a separate proceeding that considers
amateur ALE operation in general. The
Commission further notes that ARRL
and local emergency management
agencies already have the latitude to
encourage—and indeed require—that
participants in specialized emergency
communications programs (such as the
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
(RACES) and Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES)) add a sound cardgenerated ALE capability to their
stations. Because there is no consensus
in the record, nor evidence that adding
ALE will be beneficial in all situations,
the Commission declines to make any
recommendation as to its use as part of
this proceeding.
26. Additional Issues Raised by
Commenters. Finally, the Commission
briefly discusses three issues raised by
commenters that fall outside the scope
of this proceeding, are not necessary to
grant the relief sought by ARRL, or that
are already provided for in our current
rules. Commenters request that the
Commission investigate expanding the
60 meter band allocation beyond the
five channels that are currently
allocated. The Commission notes that
NTIA has recently indicated that it
cannot support ARRL’s request for a
secondary amateur service allocation of
50 kilohertz near 5 MHz, and it did not
propose such an action in the NPRM.
One commenter recommends that, for
routine messages, any one transmission
of the two digital mode emissions be
restricted to three hundred characters
and that any one transmission of CW be
restricted to 40 characters. No other
party raised this issue, it was not within
the scope of the NPRM, and it is not
directly germane to providing the relief
sought by ARRL. Lastly, commenters
requested that the Commission allow
antenna tuning transmissions. This type
of transmitting is already authorized
pursuant to § 97.305(b), which
authorizes amateur stations to transmit
test emissions on HF and MF
frequencies to, among other purposes,
match transmitters to antennas.
Final Regulatory Flexibility
Certification
27. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of
1980, as amended (RFA),1 requires that
an initial regulatory flexibility analysis
be prepared for notice and comment
rulemaking proceedings, unless the
agency certifies that ‘‘the rule will not,
1 The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601–612, has been
amended by the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Public
Law 104–121, Title II, 110 Stat. 857 (1996).
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if promulgated, have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.’’ 2 The RFA
generally defines the term ‘‘small
entity’’ as having the same meaning as
the terms ‘‘small business,’’ ‘‘small
organization,’’ and ‘‘small governmental
jurisdiction.’’ 3 In addition, the term
‘‘small business’’ has the same meaning
as the term ‘‘small business concern’’
under the Small Business Act.4 A
‘‘small business concern’’ is one which:
(1) Is independently owned and
operated; (2) is not dominant in its field
of operation; and (3) satisfies any
additional criteria established by the
Small Business Administration (SBA).5
28. In this Report and Order, the
Commission amends the amateur
service rules in order to replace one of
the channels in the 60 meter band with
a less encumbered channel, to provide
for additional emission designators, and
to increase the maximum authorized
power. Because ‘‘small entities,’’ as
defined in the RFA, are not persons
eligible for licensing in the amateur
service, the proposed changes to Part 97
do not apply to ‘‘small entities.’’ Rather,
they apply exclusively to individuals
who are the control operators of amateur
radio stations.
29. As of April 1, 2011, the
Commission has issued the following
types of licenses in the 5330.5–5406.4
kHz band (60 meter band): (1) 91 call
signs to 41 licensees in the
Conventional Industrial/Business Pool
Radio Service (IG); (2) five call signs to
four licensees in the Coastal Group
Radio Service (MC); and (3) one call
sign in the Aeronautical and Fixed
Radio Service (AF).
30. IG Licensees. We note that, while
the 91 call signs list the 5005–5450 kHz
band, these IG licensees are actually
authorized to operate only on the 13
carrier frequencies (with a maximum
necessary bandwidth of 2.8 kHz) listed
in footnote US22 of the Allocation Table
(i.e., 5046.6, 5052.6, 5055.6, 5061.6,
5067.6, 5074.6, 5099.1, 5102.1, 5135,
5140, 5192, 5195, and 5313.6 kHz) and
that none of these frequencies are
within the 60 meter band. Therefore, we
find that the 41 IG licensees are not
affected by the rule changes that we
adopt today.
31. MC Licensees. With regard to the
four MC licensees (Globe Wireless,
CruiseEmail, XNet Yacht Association,
and Richard C Giddings), we note that
only one licensee is authorized to
transmit within the allocated channel
bandwidth of a 60 meter band
frequency. Specifically, CruiseEmail is
authorized (pursuant to call sign KDS)
to operate a public coast station (station
class FC) in Olympia, Washington. We
note that the necessary bandwidth
(5330–5332.8 kHz) of this primary
station overlaps the 5332 kHz channel
(5330.6–5333.4 kHz), which is allocated
to the amateur service on a secondary
basis.
32. AF Licensees. With regard to the
sole AF licensee, we note that this
licensee (Aviation Spectrum Resources
Inc) is authorized (pursuant to call sign
KNE96) to operate at the Agana NAS
Guam International Airport in Agana,
Guam. We further note that the
necessary bandwidth (5370–5372.8 kHz)
of this primary aeronautical fixed
station (station class AX) overlaps the
5373 kHz channel (5371.6–5374.4 kHz),
which is allocated to the amateur
service on a secondary basis.
33. Accordingly, the Commission
certifies that the rules adopted in this
Report and Order will not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The Commission will send a copy of
this Report and Order including a copy
of this Final Regulatory Flexibility
Certification, to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the SBA.6
1 The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601–612, has been
amended by the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), Public
Law 104–121, Title II, 110 Stat. 857 (1996).
2 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
3 5 U.S.C. 601(6).
4 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the
definition of ‘‘small business concern’’ in the Small
Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
601(3), the statutory definition of a small business
applies ‘‘unless an agency, after consultation with
the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration and after opportunity for public
comment, establishes one or more definitions of
such term which are appropriate to the activities of
the agency and publishes such definition(s) in the
Federal Register.’’
Congressional Review Act
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34. The Commission will send a copy
of this Report and Order to Congress
and the Government Accountability
Office pursuant to the Congressional
Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Ordering Clauses
303(c), 303(f), 303(g), and 303(r), this
Report and Order is adopted and parts
2 and 97 of the Commission’s Rules are
amended as set forth in Final Rules,
effective March 5, 2012.
36. The Commission’s Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference
Information Center, shall send a copy of
this Report and Order, including the
Final Regulatory Flexibility
Certification, to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration.
Report to Congress
37. The Commission will send a copy
of the Report and Order, including this
FRFA, in a report to Congress pursuant
to the Congressional Review Act.7 In
addition, the Commission will send a
copy of the Report and Order, including
this FRFA, to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the SBA.8
Ordering Clauses
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 2 and
97
Communications equipment, Radio.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
Final Rules
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Federal Communications
Commission amends 47 CFR parts 2 and
97 to read as follows:
PART 2—FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS
AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS;
GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 2
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and
336, unless otherwise noted.
2. Section 2.106, the Table of
Frequency Allocations, is amended to
read as follows.
■ a. Page 8 is revised.
■ b. In the list of United States (US)
Footnotes, footnote US23 is added and
footnote US381 is removed.
■
§ 2.106
35. Pursuant to Sections 4(i), 301,
302(a), 303(c), 303(f), 303(g), and 303(r)
of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 301, 302a(a)
*
*
*
*
The additions and revisions read as
follows:
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
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5
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Table of Frequency Allocations.
*
8 See
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5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
5 U.S.C. 604(b).
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2012 / Rules and Regulations
5412
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*
*
*
*
*
US23 In the band 5330.5–5406.4
kHz (60 m band), the assigned
frequencies 5332, 5348, 5358.5, 5373,
and 5405 kHz are allocated to the
amateur service on a secondary basis.
Amateur service use of the 60 m band
frequencies is restricted to a maximum
effective radiated power of 100 W PEP
and to the following emission types and
designators: phone (2K80J3E), data
(2K80J2D), RTTY (60H0J2B), and CW
(150HA1A). Amateur operators using
the data and RTTY emissions must
exercise care to limit the length of
transmissions so as to avoid causing
harmful interference to Federal stations.
*
*
*
*
*
PART 97—AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
3. The authority citation for part 97
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as
amended: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303. Interpret or
apply 48 Stat. 1064–1068, 1081–1105, as
amended; 47 U.S.C. 151–155, 301–609,
unless otherwise noted.
4. Section 97.221 is amended by
revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:
■
§ 97.221
station.
*
Automatically controlled digital
*
*
*
*
their emissions do not occupy more
than 2.8 kHz centered on each of these
center frequencies.
(c) Except for channels specified in
§ 97.303(h), a station may be
automatically controlled while
transmitting a RTTY or data emission on
any other frequency authorized for such
emission types provided that:
(1) The station is responding to
interrogation by a station under local or
remote control; and
(2) No transmission from the
automatically controlled station
occupies a bandwidth of more than 500
Hz.
■ 5. Section 97.303 is amended by
revising paragraph (h) to read as
follows.
§ 97.303
60 M BAND FREQUENCIES (KHZ)
Carrier
5330.5
5346.5
5357.0
5371.5
5403.5
Frequency sharing requirements.
*
*
*
*
(h) 60 m band: (1) In the 5330.5–
5406.4 kHz band (60 m band), amateur
stations may transmit only on the five
center frequencies specified in the table
below. In order to meet this
requirement, control operators of
stations transmitting phone, data, and
RTTY emissions (emission designators
2K80J3E, 2K80J2D, and 60H0J2B,
respectively) may set the carrier
frequency 1.5 kHz below the center
frequency as specified in the table
below. For CW emissions (emission
designator 150HA1A), the carrier
frequency is set to the center frequency.
Amateur operators shall ensure that
*
m
m
m
m
..................................
..................................
..................................
..................................
*
*
6. Section 97.305 is amended by
revising the table in paragraph (c) by
inserting the new entry ‘‘60 m’’ between
the ‘‘75 m’’ and ‘‘40 m’’ entries to read
as follows.
§ 97.305
*
*
Authorized emission types.
*
*
(c) * * *
*
*
Emission types authorized
*
5332.0
5348.0
5358.5
5373.0
5405.0
■
Frequencies
*
...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
...................................
(2) Amateur stations transmitting on
the 60 m band must not cause harmful
interference to, and must accept
interference from, stations authorized
by:
(i) The United States (NTIA and FCC)
and other nations in the fixed service;
and
(ii) Other nations in the mobile except
aeronautical mobile service.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Wavelength band
Center
*
*
Standards
see
§ 97.307(f),
paragraph:
*
HF:
80
75
60
40
Entire band ................................................................................
Entire band ................................................................................
5.332, 5.348, 5.3585, 5.373 and 5.405 MHz ............................
7.000–7.100 MHz ......................................................................
*
7. Section 97.307 is amended by
adding paragraph (f)(14) to read as
follows.
*
*
Emission standards.
*
*
*
(f) * * *
(14) In the 60 m band:
(i) A station may transmit only phone,
RTTY, data, and CW emissions using
the emission designators and any
■
§ 97.307
*
RTTY, data ..............................
Phone, image ..........................
Phone, RTTY, data .................
RTTY, data ..............................
*
*
(3), (9).
(1), (2).
(14).
(3), (9).
*
additional restrictions that are specified
in the table below (except that the use
of a narrower necessary bandwidth is
permitted):
60 M BAND EMISSION REQUIREMENTS
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Emission type
Emission designator
Restricted to:
Phone ..................................................................
Data ....................................................................
RTTY ...................................................................
CW ......................................................................
2K80J3E .............................................................
2K80J2D .............................................................
60H0J2B .............................................................
150HA1A ............................................................
Upper sideband transmissions (USB).
USB (for example, PACTOR–III).
USB (for example, PSK31).
Morse telegraphy by means of on-off keying.
(ii) The following requirements also
apply:
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(A) When transmitting the phone,
RTTY, and data emissions, the
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as specified in § 97.303(h).
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(B) The control operator of a station
transmitting data or RTTY emissions
must exercise care to limit the length of
transmission so as to avoid causing
harmful interference to United States
Government stations.
8. Section 97.313 is amended by
revising paragraphs (f) and (i) to read as
follows.
■
§ 97.313
Transmitter power standards.
*
*
*
*
*
(f) No station may transmit with a
transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP
on the UHF 70 cm band from an area
specified in paragraph (a) of footnote
US270 in § 2.106, unless expressly
authorized by the FCC after mutual
agreement, on a case-by-case basis,
between the District Director of the
applicable field facility and the military
area frequency coordinator at the
applicable military base. An Earth
station or telecommand station,
however, may transmit on the 435–438
MHz segment with a maximum of 611
W effective radiated power (1 kW
equivalent isotropically radiated power)
without the authorization otherwise
required. The transmitting antenna
elevation angle between the lower halfpower (¥3 dB relative to the peak or
antenna bore sight) point and the
horizon must always be greater than 10°.
*
*
*
*
*
(i) No station may transmit with an
effective radiated power (ERP)
exceeding 100 W PEP on the 60 m band.
For the purpose of computing ERP, the
transmitter PEP will be multiplied by
the antenna gain relative to a half-wave
dipole antenna. A half-wave dipole
antenna will be presumed to have a gain
of 1 (0 dBd). Licensees using other
antennas must maintain in their station
records either the antenna
manufacturer’s data on the antenna gain
or calculations of the antenna gain.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2012–2477 Filed 2–2–12; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 001005281–0369–02]
RIN 0648–XA974
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal
Migratory Pelagic Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Trip
Limit Increase
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason trip
limit increase.
AGENCY:
NMFS increases the trip limit
in the commercial sector for king
mackerel in the Florida east coast
subzone to 75 fish per day in or from the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This
trip limit increase is necessary to
maximize the socioeconomic benefits of
the quota.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, February 1, 2012, through
March 31, 2012, unless changed by
further notification in the Federal
Register.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Gerhart, telephone: (727) 824–
5305, fax: (727) 824–5308, email:
Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov.
The
fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish
(king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and
cobia) is managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the Coastal
Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf
of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP).
The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery
Management Councils (Councils) and is
implemented under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622.
Based on the Councils’ recommended
total allowable catch and the allocation
ratios in the FMP, on April 30, 2001 (66
FR 17368, March 30, 2001), NMFS
implemented a commercial quota of
2.25 million lb (1.02 million kg) for the
eastern zone (Florida) of the Gulf
migratory group of king mackerel. That
quota is further divided into separate
quotas for the Florida east coast subzone
and the northern and southern Florida
west coast subzones. The quota
implemented for the Florida east coast
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
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5413
subzone is 1,040,625 lb (472,020 kg) (50
CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(1)).
In accordance with 50 CFR
622.44(a)(2)(i)(B)(2), beginning on
February 1, if less than 75 percent of the
Florida east coast subzone quota has
been harvested by that date, king
mackerel in or from that subzone may
be possessed on board or landed from a
permitted vessel in amounts not
exceeding 75 fish per day. The 75-fish
daily trip limit will continue until a
closure of the subzone’s fishery has
been effected or the fishing year ends on
March 31.
NMFS has determined that 75 percent
of the quota for Gulf group king
mackerel in the Florida east coast
subzone will not be reached before
February 1, 2012. Accordingly, a 75-fish
trip limit applies to vessels in this
fishery for king mackerel in or from the
EEZ in the Florida east coast subzone
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February
1, 2012. The 75-fish trip limit will
remain in effect until the fishery closes
or until the end of the current fishing
season (March 31, 2012) for this
subzone. From November 1 through
March 31, the Florida east coast subzone
of the Gulf group king mackerel is that
part of the eastern zone north of 25°20.4′
N. lat. (a line directly east from the
Miami-Dade County, FL, boundary).
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA,
(AA) finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth in 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such prior notice
and opportunity for public comment is
unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest. Such procedures are
unnecessary because the rule itself
already has been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the trip limit
increase. Allowing prior notice and
opportunity for public comment for this
trip limit increase is contrary to the
public interest because it requires time,
thus delaying fishermen’s ability to
catch more king mackerel than the
present trip limit allows and preventing
fishermen from reaping the
socioeconomic benefits derived from
this increase in daily catch.
As this action allows fishermen to
increase their harvest of king mackerel
from 50 fish to 75 fish per day in or
from the EEZ of the Florida east coast
subzone, the AA finds it relieves a
restriction and may go into effect on its
effective date pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5406-5413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2477]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 2 and 97
[ET Docket No. 10-98; FCC 11-171]
Amateur Radio Use of the Allocation at 5 MHz
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document amends the Commission's rules to facilitate more
efficient and effective use by the Amateur Radio Service of five
channels in the 5330.5-5406.4 kHz band (the 60 meter band).
Specifically, and consistent with our proposals in the Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking in this proceeding, the Commission replaces one of
the channels with a less encumbered one, increases the maximum
authorized power amateur stations may transmit in this band, and
authorizes amateur stations to transmit three additional emission
designators. The Commission also adopts an additional operational rule
that prohibits the use of automatically controlled digital stations and
makes editorial revisions to the relevant portions of the Table of
Frequency Allocations (Allocation Table) and our service rules.
DATES: Effective March 5, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Mooring, Office of Engineering and
Technology, 202-418-2450, tom.mooring@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report
and Order, ET Docket No. 10-98, FCC 11-171, adopted November 16, 2011
and released November 18, 2011. The full text of this document is
available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in
the FCC Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 12th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of this document also may be
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, Best Copy and
Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street SW., Room, CY-B402, Washington, DC
20554. The full text may also be downloaded at: www.fcc.gov. People
with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for
people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio
format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432
(tty).
Summary of Report and Order
1. On May 4, 2010, the Commission issued an NPRM in this
proceeding, in which it proposed to adopt the three rule modifications
requested by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). The Commission
also identified and sought comment on four operational issues: (1)
Would a transmission time limit help ensure that amateur operators
transmitting the two data emissions avoid causing harmful interference
to Federal users in instances where
[[Page 5407]]
Federal agencies exercise their primary use of the 60 meter band, and
if so, would 3 minutes be sufficient, or is another limit more
appropriate? (2) Should amateur stations be permitted to transmit
emission types in addition to those proposed in the NPRM? (3) Would a
Voice-Operated Transmit (VOX) mode of operation, which ARRL recommended
that we require for amateur operators transmitting phone emissions,
increase the potential for interference because of its susceptibility
to keying a radio to transmit under high surrounding noise environments
such as might be found in an emergency operations center? (4) Should
amateur operators that provide emergency communications using the 60
meter band be encouraged to add a sound card-generated Automatic Link
Establishment (ALE) capability to their stations?
2. The Commission first addresses the three key rule changes
identified in the NPRM that can lead to more efficient and effective
use of the 60 meter band by the Amateur Radio Service: replacing one
channel, increasing power limits, and adding emission designators. The
Commission then discusses modifications to specific operational rules,
including several matters where it concludes that it is unnecessary to
change the existing rules.
Replacement Channel
3. In its petition, ARRL requested that the Commission replace one
of the five channels in the 60 meter band (5368 kHz) with a channel
(5358.5 kHz) that the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) has identified. ARRL based its request on reports
from amateur operators of frequent interference from a digital signal
on the existing authorized channel. The Commission concludes that its
proposal to replace the 5368 kHz channel with one centered on 5358.5
kHz will benefit amateur operations in the 60 meter band and adopts
this rule change.
4. The Commission notes that three commenters suggest that the new
channel should be an additional channel, not a replacement channel.
Because the existing model of secondary amateur radio use of five
channels is acceptable to the primary Federal users in the 60 meter
band and was the basis of the discussions between ARRL and NTIA that
formed the outline of our proposal, the Commission did not pursue this
proposal.
5. Finally, in considering those comments that discuss the
adjustments that amateur radio operators and equipment manufacturers
will need to make to use the replacement channel, the Commission
concludes that proposed Sec. 97.303(h) requires a de minimis
adjustment. This action ensures that a large installed base of
equipment is not rendered technically out of compliance under our
modified rules. Accordingly, the Commission amends footnote US381 and
Sec. 97.303(h) by removing 5368 kHz, by adding the center (assigned)
frequency 5358.5 kHz, and by defining the 60 meter band as the 5330.5-
5406.4 kHz band; and also amends Sec. 97.303(h) by adding carrier
frequencies for each of the five channels in the 60 meter band that are
1.5 kHz below the center frequency. In addition, the Commission
renumbers footnote US381 as US23 to be consistent with its current
numbering system for domestic footnotes that is based on frequency
order.
Power Increase
6. Section 97.313(i) states that no station may transmit with an
effective radiated power (ERP) exceeding 50 W PEP on the 60 meter band
and also provides a simplified means of calculating ERP. In the NPRM,
the Commission proposed to increase the maximum ERP that amateur
stations may transmit on channels in the 60 meter band from 50 to 100 W
PEP. Based on the record, the Commission adopts its proposal.
7. The Commission believes that the examples cited by the
commenters offer compelling reasons to support its tentative conclusion
that an increase in maximum power would serve to facilitate many
amateur radio communications with minimal risk of harmful interference.
It also rejects requests for higher power limits, such as 500 W PEP.
There is no indication that a greater power limit would produce
substantially greater benefits or that any increased potential for
harmful interference at this power limit has been fully considered.
Additionally, the Commission does not believe that it would be useful
to complicate the rules by establishing different power limits for
different circumstances, as some commenters suggest. Because the
minimal 50 W PEP increase does not significantly increase the potential
for interference between stations, such a distinction is not necessary
or warranted. Just as with the existing 50 W PEP power limit, a 100 W
limit that applies to all channels will be straightforward, easy to
understand, and easy to apply. Thus, the Commission concludes that
there is a tangible benefit--greater communication abilities that will
enhance amateur emergency communication activities--that will accrue if
it increase the power limit to 100 W PEP and that the record shows that
the costs (i.e., the increased potential for harmful interference) are
minimal. The Commission specifically rejects alternate options such as
an even higher power increase or different power limits for different
circumstances, because these options would introduce added costs--a
significantly greater interference potential and added regulatory
complexity--that would sharply reduce the overall benefits of the rule
change.
8. As part of its amendment of the transmitter power standard
applicable to the 60 meter band, the Commission clarifies the second
sentence in Sec. 97.313(i) by revising ``dipole'' to read ``half-wave
dipole antenna,'' by removing unnecessary text, and by explicitly
stating that a numeric gain of 1 is equivalent to 0 dBd. The Commission
likewise corrects an errant cross-reference in Sec. 97.313(f) of its
transmitter power rules that was introduced when it recently combined
two footnotes.
Additional Emissions
9. Under the existing rules, only upper sideband voice
transmissions are permitted in the 60 meter band. In the NPRM, the
Commission proposed to authorize the use of three additional emission
designators in the band: CW emission 150HA1A, which is Morse telegraphy
by means of on-off keying, and data emissions 2K80J2D and 60H0J2B. In
Sec. 97.307(f)(14)(i) of the proposed rules, the Commission restricts
emission designator 2K80J2D to data using PACTOR-III technique and
emission designator 60H0J2B to data using PSK31 technique. The
Commission also sought comment on whether amateur stations could be
permitted to transmit emission types in addition to those requested by
ARRL in the 60 meter band without increasing the likelihood of
interference to primary users. As discussed, the Commission adopts its
proposal to allow the use of the three additional emission designators.
10. Emission Designators. Our proposal drew a wide range of
responses. Although the majority of commenters fully or generally
support the proposals that the Commission made in the NPRM, many
commenters expressed concerns about some or all of the proposed new
emission designators. Commenters were most supportive of the proposed
addition of emission designators 150HA1A and 60H0J2B. By contrast, the
proposal to add emission type 2K80J2D proved much more divisive. The
record also includes a few
[[Page 5408]]
commenters who are skeptical that additional emission types are
appropriate for the 60 meter band.
11. Finally, some commenters suggest limiting some or all of the
proposed emissions to a specified channel or channels within the 60
meter band. While the specific channel use proposals vary by commenter,
there is a general view among these commenters that such an approach
would help offset possible interference between emission types or that
a specific channel/mode assignment would promote efficiency.
12. Specific Techniques of the Data Emissions. Commenters strongly
believe that the use of the emission designators 60H0J2B and 2K80J2D
should not be restricted to the specific techniques of PSK31 and
PACTOR-III, respectively. This approach differs from what was proposed
in the NPRM.
13. The Commission adopts its proposal to authorize the use of
three additional emission designators in the 60 meter band. These
additional capabilities can serve to enhance amateur emergency
communications and allow for greater experimentation in the band, and
it believes that doing so is in the public interest. We note, however,
that because ``emission J2B'' is specifically defined in part 97 of our
rules to be a Radio Teletype (RTTY) emission, emission designator
60H0J2B must be codified as a RTTY emission in order to provide for
consistency within part 97 of our rules. Accordingly, the Commission
authorizes control operators to transmit the following additional
emission types and designators in the 60 meter band: CW emissions,
limited to emission 150HA1A (i.e., Morse code telegraphy); data
emissions, limited to emission 2K80J2D (exemplified by PACTOR-III); and
RTTY emissions, limited to emission 60H0J2B (exemplified by PSK31).
14. The Commission recognizes that many commenters are concerned
that the addition of new emission types-- data emission types in
general and PACTOR-III specifically--holds the risk of reducing the
utility of these channels for many amateurs, especially for those who
may not readily recognize data transmissions and may avoid use of the
channels out of an abundance of caution. The Commission concludes that
there are ways to minimize any potential disruption that the new
emission types could cause. ARRL notes that amateur ``stations
typically utilize relatively short transmissions in telegraphy and are
able to manually detect the presence of a non-Amateur signal within the
channel bandwidth while operating in that mode'' and that the ``same is
true of 60H0J2B and 2K80J2D emissions, if careful manual operating
practices are used.'' Moreover, ARRL commits to the necessary
dissemination of ``best practices'' information to the amateur
community on a timely basis and to the adoption and publication of a
comprehensive band plan for these channels that will maintain maximum
flexibility in Amateur use without interference. Lastly, the Commission
adopts certain operational rules, which will serve to ensure that the
new emission types are used in a manner that promotes continued shared
use of the band by all.
15. The Commission declines to adopt any emission designators
beyond the three proposed in the NPRM. ARRL states that its discussions
with NTIA about the additional emission types were very specific and
what was endorsed by NTIA was very specifically limited to the three
additional emissions requested in its petition and no others. The
Commission agrees that this is the best course, as it is consistent
with existing understandings between Federal and amateur radio
interests. Similarly, it does not find it necessary to modify the band
plan by, for example, requiring that certain emission types be used on
specified channels or during specified emergency events. The Commission
believes that ARRL and the amateur community can work within the
framework we establish to promote continued cooperative use of the 60
meter band and that the imposition of such complex and burdensome
channel and emission use restrictions is unnecessary. In sum, the
additional emission designators will benefit the amateur radio
community by providing new opportunities to use the 60 meter band.
While the Commission recognizes that this added flexibility means that
some users could face reduced utility of the band for certain emission
types, we are confident that any detrimental impact can be avoided if
the amateur radio community continues its legacy of following best
practices and exercising sound judgment in sharing the available
spectrum.
16. Finally, the Commission agrees with commenters that limiting
digital operation to a specific technique discourages the further
development of additional techniques, which may be more efficient than
those currently in use. Therefore, the Commission authorizes an amateur
station transmitting RTTY emission 60H0J2B or data emission 2K80J2D to
use any unspecified digital code, subject to the requirements of Sec.
97.309(b). The Commission amended Sec. 97.305(c) by inserting the 60
meter band entry, which lists ``Phone, RTTY, data'' under the heading
``Emission types authorized.'' In addition, it amended Sec. 97.307 by
adding new paragraph (f)(14) to list the emission types and designators
and other restrictions.
Operational Requirements
17. Transmission time limit. The Commission also sought comment on
whether to adopt a rule addressing transmission time limits. The
existing rules address station identification and require each amateur
station operating on the 60 meter band to transmit its assigned call
sign on its transmitting channel at the end of each communication, and
at least every ten minutes during a communication, for the purpose of
making the source of the transmissions from the station clearly known.
The Commission proposed, at a minimum, to add a rule stating that
``[t]he control operator of a station transmitting data emissions must
exercise care to limit the length of transmission so as to avoid
causing harmful interference to United States Government stations'' but
also asked whether codifying a specific time limit would help ensure
that amateur licensees avoid causing harmful interference to primary
Federal users.
18. The Commission declines to adopt a specific limit on
transmission length and adopts the more general rule language that it
proposed. Based on the clear history of successful amateur service
sharing of the 60 meter band and the lack of a consensus among the
commenters, the Commission finds that there is no need to adopt a
specific time limit. It believes that the existing station
identification rule and the new rule text, together with good amateur
radio practice and the instruction and support of ARRL (including its
anticipated ``best practices'' guide), will ensure that amateur radio
operators using the data and RTTY emissions do not cause harmful
interference to primary Federal users. Accordingly, the Commission
amends footnote US381 (renumbered herein as US23) and Sec.
97.307(f)(14)(ii)(B) by adding the proposed sentences (except that RTTY
emissions are listed separately from data emissions).
19. Automatically Controlled Digital Stations. Section 97.221(c)
permits automatic control of an amateur station while transmitting a
RTTY or data emission and Sec. 97.109 states that when a station is
being automatically controlled, the control operator is not required to
be at the control point. Commenters express concern that data
emissions--in particular, PACTOR-III--may not effectively detect upper
[[Page 5409]]
sideband (USB) emissions in progress and inhibit or cease transmissions
when necessary when they are operating as automatic, unattended data
stations. ARRL states that amateur stations typically utilize
relatively short transmissions in telegraphy and are able to manually
detect the presence of a non-amateur signal within the channel
bandwidth while operating in that mode and that the same would be true
of 60H0J2B and 2K80J2D emissions, if careful ``manual'' operating
practices are used. The Commission finds merit in the commenters'
concerns and concludes that ARRL's underlying assumption that stations
transmitting data emissions are not under automatic control should be
incorporated in the Commission's rules as part of its decision to add
new data emission types. The Commission's prohibition on automatically
controlled stations will also help ensure that when Federal agencies
need to exercise their primary use of the 60 meter band frequencies,
amateur licensees will be better positioned to avoid causing harmful
interference and it included this restriction in Sec. 97.221(c).
20. Operation on Channel Centers. Section 97.303(h) currently
requires that amateur operators ensure that their station's
transmission occupies only 2.8 kHz centered at each of the five center
frequencies. The NPRM proposed that, for amateur stations transmitting
CW emissions and PSK31 data emissions, the carrier frequency shall be
set to the center frequency. NTIA has requested that the Commission
continue to restrict amateur service transmissions in this manner.
21. The Commission adopts the center frequency requirement as
proposed in the NPRM. Because the amateur service operates in the 60
meter band on a secondary basis, the Commission pays particular
attention to NTIA's position and the interests of Federal agencies that
have primary status in the band. The Commission concludes that
continuing to restrict amateur stations to transmitting on the center
frequencies will maintain the limited number of amateur operators using
the five channels at any given time and provide certainty as to where
such operations can be found. By not upsetting the expectations of the
Federal users of the band, it is confident that they will be able to
immediately reclaim these frequencies from secondary amateur radio
operations, if and when necessary. Accordingly, the Commission amends
Sec. 97.303(h) to specify that control operators of stations
transmitting phone, data, and RTTY emissions (emission designators
2K80J3E, 2K80J2D, and 60H0J2B, respectively) may set the carrier
frequency 1.5 kHz below the center frequency, and that, for stations
transmitting CW emissions (emission designator 150HA1A), the carrier
frequency is set to the center frequency.
22. VOX Requirement. The Commission requested comment on whether
amateur operators should be required to use VOX in the phone emission
mode, which ARRL stated would permit a Federal user to interrupt an
amateur station's transmission quickly and easily without waiting for
an unpredictable end of the transmission. The Commission specifically
sought comment on whether a VOX mode of operation might increase the
potential for interference because of its susceptibility to keying a
radio to transmit under high surrounding noise environments such as
might be found in an emergency operations center.
23. The Commission agrees with the majority of commenters that
improper operation of VOX would cause increased interference, and it
therefore declines to require the use of VOX by amateur stations
transmitting a phone emission in the 60 meter band. Moreover, amateur
communications in the 60 meter band already successfully co-exist
without a VOX requirement, and the Commission sees no reason why this
cannot continue. The Commission will rely on control operators to
choose between PTT and VOX operations, based on their abilities,
equipment, and operating conditions.
24. ALE Capability. At the request of NTIA, the Commission
solicited comment on whether amateur operators that provide emergency
communications using the 60 meter band should be encouraged to add a
sound card generated ALE capability to their stations. ALE is a
standard for initiating and sustaining communications using High
Frequency (HF) radio.
25. The Commission recognizes that ALE allows emergency control
operators to use multiple channels efficiently and reduces the time
spent trying to connect with another station. However, it also shares
commenters' concerns that there is a potential for channel
monopolization due to periodic transmissions, which are not subject to
manual control, and that users who do not have ALE capability may have
no way of determining who is interfering with their operation. ARRL
takes no position on whether we should encourage amateur operators to
add ALE capability to their stations but does state that it would not
support modifying the Commission's Rules to specifically require ALE.
One commenter states that the inclusion of ALE on 60 meters is a larger
issue and ought to be addressed in a separate proceeding that considers
amateur ALE operation in general. The Commission further notes that
ARRL and local emergency management agencies already have the latitude
to encourage--and indeed require--that participants in specialized
emergency communications programs (such as the Radio Amateur Civil
Emergency Service (RACES) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES))
add a sound card-generated ALE capability to their stations. Because
there is no consensus in the record, nor evidence that adding ALE will
be beneficial in all situations, the Commission declines to make any
recommendation as to its use as part of this proceeding.
26. Additional Issues Raised by Commenters. Finally, the Commission
briefly discusses three issues raised by commenters that fall outside
the scope of this proceeding, are not necessary to grant the relief
sought by ARRL, or that are already provided for in our current rules.
Commenters request that the Commission investigate expanding the 60
meter band allocation beyond the five channels that are currently
allocated. The Commission notes that NTIA has recently indicated that
it cannot support ARRL's request for a secondary amateur service
allocation of 50 kilohertz near 5 MHz, and it did not propose such an
action in the NPRM. One commenter recommends that, for routine
messages, any one transmission of the two digital mode emissions be
restricted to three hundred characters and that any one transmission of
CW be restricted to 40 characters. No other party raised this issue, it
was not within the scope of the NPRM, and it is not directly germane to
providing the relief sought by ARRL. Lastly, commenters requested that
the Commission allow antenna tuning transmissions. This type of
transmitting is already authorized pursuant to Sec. 97.305(b), which
authorizes amateur stations to transmit test emissions on HF and MF
frequencies to, among other purposes, match transmitters to antennas.
Final Regulatory Flexibility Certification
27. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended (RFA),\1\
requires that an initial regulatory flexibility analysis be prepared
for notice and comment rulemaking proceedings, unless the agency
certifies that ``the rule will not,
[[Page 5410]]
if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.'' \2\ The RFA generally defines the term
``small entity'' as having the same meaning as the terms ``small
business,'' ``small organization,'' and ``small governmental
jurisdiction.'' \3\ In addition, the term ``small business'' has the
same meaning as the term ``small business concern'' under the Small
Business Act.\4\ A ``small business concern'' is one which: (1) Is
independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its field of
operation; and (3) satisfies any additional criteria established by the
Small Business Administration (SBA).\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601-612, has been amended by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA),
Public Law 104-121, Title II, 110 Stat. 857 (1996).
\2\ 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
\3\ 5 U.S.C. 601(6).
\4\ 5 U.S.C. 601(3) (incorporating by reference the definition
of ``small business concern'' in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C.
632). Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 601(3), the statutory definition of a
small business applies ``unless an agency, after consultation with
the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and
after opportunity for public comment, establishes one or more
definitions of such term which are appropriate to the activities of
the agency and publishes such definition(s) in the Federal
Register.''
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 632.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. In this Report and Order, the Commission amends the amateur
service rules in order to replace one of the channels in the 60 meter
band with a less encumbered channel, to provide for additional emission
designators, and to increase the maximum authorized power. Because
``small entities,'' as defined in the RFA, are not persons eligible for
licensing in the amateur service, the proposed changes to Part 97 do
not apply to ``small entities.'' Rather, they apply exclusively to
individuals who are the control operators of amateur radio stations.
29. As of April 1, 2011, the Commission has issued the following
types of licenses in the 5330.5-5406.4 kHz band (60 meter band): (1) 91
call signs to 41 licensees in the Conventional Industrial/Business Pool
Radio Service (IG); (2) five call signs to four licensees in the
Coastal Group Radio Service (MC); and (3) one call sign in the
Aeronautical and Fixed Radio Service (AF).
30. IG Licensees. We note that, while the 91 call signs list the
5005-5450 kHz band, these IG licensees are actually authorized to
operate only on the 13 carrier frequencies (with a maximum necessary
bandwidth of 2.8 kHz) listed in footnote US22 of the Allocation Table
(i.e., 5046.6, 5052.6, 5055.6, 5061.6, 5067.6, 5074.6, 5099.1, 5102.1,
5135, 5140, 5192, 5195, and 5313.6 kHz) and that none of these
frequencies are within the 60 meter band. Therefore, we find that the
41 IG licensees are not affected by the rule changes that we adopt
today.
31. MC Licensees. With regard to the four MC licensees (Globe
Wireless, CruiseEmail, XNet Yacht Association, and Richard C Giddings),
we note that only one licensee is authorized to transmit within the
allocated channel bandwidth of a 60 meter band frequency. Specifically,
CruiseEmail is authorized (pursuant to call sign KDS) to operate a
public coast station (station class FC) in Olympia, Washington. We note
that the necessary bandwidth (5330-5332.8 kHz) of this primary station
overlaps the 5332 kHz channel (5330.6-5333.4 kHz), which is allocated
to the amateur service on a secondary basis.
32. AF Licensees. With regard to the sole AF licensee, we note that
this licensee (Aviation Spectrum Resources Inc) is authorized (pursuant
to call sign KNE96) to operate at the Agana NAS Guam International
Airport in Agana, Guam. We further note that the necessary bandwidth
(5370-5372.8 kHz) of this primary aeronautical fixed station (station
class AX) overlaps the 5373 kHz channel (5371.6-5374.4 kHz), which is
allocated to the amateur service on a secondary basis.
33. Accordingly, the Commission certifies that the rules adopted in
this Report and Order will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. The Commission will send a copy
of this Report and Order including a copy of this Final Regulatory
Flexibility Certification, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
SBA.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressional Review Act
34. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order to
Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Ordering Clauses
35. Pursuant to Sections 4(i), 301, 302(a), 303(c), 303(f), 303(g),
and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.
154(i), 301, 302a(a) 303(c), 303(f), 303(g), and 303(r), this Report
and Order is adopted and parts 2 and 97 of the Commission's Rules are
amended as set forth in Final Rules, effective March 5, 2012.
36. The Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau,
Reference Information Center, shall send a copy of this Report and
Order, including the Final Regulatory Flexibility Certification, to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
Report to Congress
37. The Commission will send a copy of the Report and Order,
including this FRFA, in a report to Congress pursuant to the
Congressional Review Act.\7\ In addition, the Commission will send a
copy of the Report and Order, including this FRFA, to the Chief Counsel
for Advocacy of the SBA.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
\8\ See 5 U.S.C. 604(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ordering Clauses
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 2 and 97
Communications equipment, Radio.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
Final Rules
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission amends 47 CFR parts 2 and 97 to read as
follows:
PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL
RULES AND REGULATIONS
0
1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, and 336, unless otherwise
noted.
0
2. Section 2.106, the Table of Frequency Allocations, is amended to
read as follows.
0
a. Page 8 is revised.
0
b. In the list of United States (US) Footnotes, footnote US23 is added
and footnote US381 is removed.
Sec. 2.106 Table of Frequency Allocations.
* * * * *
The additions and revisions read as follows:
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
[[Page 5411]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR03FE12.025
BILLING CODE 6712-01-C
United States (US) Footnotes
[[Page 5412]]
* * * * *
US23 In the band 5330.5-5406.4 kHz (60 m band), the assigned
frequencies 5332, 5348, 5358.5, 5373, and 5405 kHz are allocated to the
amateur service on a secondary basis. Amateur service use of the 60 m
band frequencies is restricted to a maximum effective radiated power of
100 W PEP and to the following emission types and designators: phone
(2K80J3E), data (2K80J2D), RTTY (60H0J2B), and CW (150HA1A). Amateur
operators using the data and RTTY emissions must exercise care to limit
the length of transmissions so as to avoid causing harmful interference
to Federal stations.
* * * * *
PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
0
3. The authority citation for part 97 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303.
Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609, unless otherwise noted.
0
4. Section 97.221 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as
follows:
Sec. 97.221 Automatically controlled digital station.
* * * * *
(c) Except for channels specified in Sec. 97.303(h), a station may
be automatically controlled while transmitting a RTTY or data emission
on any other frequency authorized for such emission types provided
that:
(1) The station is responding to interrogation by a station under
local or remote control; and
(2) No transmission from the automatically controlled station
occupies a bandwidth of more than 500 Hz.
0
5. Section 97.303 is amended by revising paragraph (h) to read as
follows.
Sec. 97.303 Frequency sharing requirements.
* * * * *
(h) 60 m band: (1) In the 5330.5-5406.4 kHz band (60 m band),
amateur stations may transmit only on the five center frequencies
specified in the table below. In order to meet this requirement,
control operators of stations transmitting phone, data, and RTTY
emissions (emission designators 2K80J3E, 2K80J2D, and 60H0J2B,
respectively) may set the carrier frequency 1.5 kHz below the center
frequency as specified in the table below. For CW emissions (emission
designator 150HA1A), the carrier frequency is set to the center
frequency. Amateur operators shall ensure that their emissions do not
occupy more than 2.8 kHz centered on each of these center frequencies.
60 M Band Frequencies (kHz)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrier Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5330.5.................................................. 5332.0
5346.5.................................................. 5348.0
5357.0.................................................. 5358.5
5371.5.................................................. 5373.0
5403.5.................................................. 5405.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Amateur stations transmitting on the 60 m band must not cause
harmful interference to, and must accept interference from, stations
authorized by:
(i) The United States (NTIA and FCC) and other nations in the fixed
service; and
(ii) Other nations in the mobile except aeronautical mobile
service.
* * * * *
0
6. Section 97.305 is amended by revising the table in paragraph (c) by
inserting the new entry ``60 m'' between the ``75 m'' and ``40 m''
entries to read as follows.
Sec. 97.305 Authorized emission types.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission types Standards see Sec.
Wavelength band Frequencies authorized 97.307(f), paragraph:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
HF:
80 m........................... Entire band................ RTTY, data............ (3), (9).
75 m........................... Entire band................ Phone, image.......... (1), (2).
60 m........................... 5.332, 5.348, 5.3585, 5.373 Phone, RTTY, data..... (14).
and 5.405 MHz.
40 m........................... 7.000-7.100 MHz............ RTTY, data............ (3), (9).
* * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0
7. Section 97.307 is amended by adding paragraph (f)(14) to read as
follows.
Sec. 97.307 Emission standards.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(14) In the 60 m band:
(i) A station may transmit only phone, RTTY, data, and CW emissions
using the emission designators and any additional restrictions that are
specified in the table below (except that the use of a narrower
necessary bandwidth is permitted):
60 M Band Emission Requirements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emission type Emission designator Restricted to:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phone........................... 2K80J3E............ Upper sideband transmissions (USB).
Data............................ 2K80J2D............ USB (for example, PACTOR-III).
RTTY............................ 60H0J2B............ USB (for example, PSK31).
CW.............................. 150HA1A............ Morse telegraphy by means of on-off keying.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) The following requirements also apply:
(A) When transmitting the phone, RTTY, and data emissions, the
suppressed carrier frequency may be set as specified in Sec.
97.303(h).
[[Page 5413]]
(B) The control operator of a station transmitting data or RTTY
emissions must exercise care to limit the length of transmission so as
to avoid causing harmful interference to United States Government
stations.
0
8. Section 97.313 is amended by revising paragraphs (f) and (i) to read
as follows.
Sec. 97.313 Transmitter power standards.
* * * * *
(f) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W
PEP on the UHF 70 cm band from an area specified in paragraph (a) of
footnote US270 in Sec. 2.106, unless expressly authorized by the FCC
after mutual agreement, on a case-by-case basis, between the District
Director of the applicable field facility and the military area
frequency coordinator at the applicable military base. An Earth station
or telecommand station, however, may transmit on the 435-438 MHz
segment with a maximum of 611 W effective radiated power (1 kW
equivalent isotropically radiated power) without the authorization
otherwise required. The transmitting antenna elevation angle between
the lower half-power (-3 dB relative to the peak or antenna bore sight)
point and the horizon must always be greater than 10[deg].
* * * * *
(i) No station may transmit with an effective radiated power (ERP)
exceeding 100 W PEP on the 60 m band. For the purpose of computing ERP,
the transmitter PEP will be multiplied by the antenna gain relative to
a half-wave dipole antenna. A half-wave dipole antenna will be presumed
to have a gain of 1 (0 dBd). Licensees using other antennas must
maintain in their station records either the antenna manufacturer's
data on the antenna gain or calculations of the antenna gain.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-2477 Filed 2-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
