SB QST @ ARL $ARLB003
ARLB003 Comment Deadline Set in WRC-07 Implementation Proceeding

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ARRL Bulletin 3  ARLB003
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  January 3, 2013
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB003
ARLB003 Comment Deadline Set in WRC-07 Implementation Proceeding

As previously reported, the FCC has proposed to amend its rules to
implement the allocation decisions of the 2007 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) and to make certain other
changes. Notice appeared in the December 27, 2012 issue of the
Federal Register, which started the clock on a 60-day window for the
submission of comments. Thus, comments are due no later than
February 25, 2013, with reply comments due no later than March 27,
2013.

While most of the 130-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order
does not directly affect the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services,
two sections of the document are of particular interest to amateurs.

Specifically, the FCC proposes to upgrade the Amateur Service
allocation in the upper half of the 160 meter band (1900-2000 kHz)
from secondary to primary, while deleting the existing allocation to
the Radiolocation Service. This is possible, because the
reaccommodation of radiolocation stations displaced by the expansion
of the AM broadcasting band to 1705 kHz has been completed and there
are no non-federal radiolocation stations licensed to operate in the
1900-2000 kHz band.

The FCC also seeks comments on whether, and how, an amateur low
frequency (LF) allocation might be able to co-exist with Power Line
Carrier (PLC) systems that are used by electric utilities to monitor
and control the power grid. The Commission notes that while PLC
systems do not have the status of an allocation, they carry
"communications important to the reliability and security of
electric service to the public." WRC-07 created a new secondary
allocation to the amateur service at 135.7-137.8 kHz that already
has been implemented in a number of other countries.

The ARRL will be preparing comments supporting both of these
allocations. Individuals wishing to comment directly to the FCC
should carefully read paragraphs 13-24 of the NPRM and follow the
instructions contained in paragraph 175.  The NPRM can be found in
PDF format at,
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db1119/FCC-12-140A1.pdf.
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