SB QST @ ARL $ARLB006
ARLB006 NTIA: No Objection to Additional Data Modes on 60 Meters
ZCZC AG06
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 6 ARLB006
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT March 29, 2012
To all radio amateurs
SB QST ARL ARLB006
ARLB006 NTIA: No Objection to Additional Data Modes on 60 Meters
In response to requests for clarification from the ARRL, the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
has confirmed that it has no objection to the use of a broader range
of data emissions by amateurs on the five 5 MHz frequencies on 60
meters. ARRL's original understanding was that the NTIA preferred
that the use of 2K80J2D emission be limited to Pactor III. The NTIA
now says that that is not the case.
In an e-mail response to ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner,
K1ZZ, Karl Nebbia, Associate Administrator of the NTIA Office of
Spectrum Management, stated, "NTIA has no interest in limiting the
types of emission used by the amateurs as long as the data emission
does not exceed the 2.8 kHz bandwidth generated by the upper
sideband transmitter." Nebbia referred all further inquiries to the
FCC, which "...sets the conditions for use of the five 5 MHz
frequencies by the amateurs."
The requirement of only one signal per channel remains, as well as
the prohibition against automatic operation. The FCC continues to
require that all digital transmissions be centered on the
channel-center frequencies, which the Report and Order defines as
being 1.5 kHz above the suppressed carrier frequency of a
transceiver operated in the Upper Sideband (USB) mode. This is
typically the frequency shown on the frequency display.
Channel USB Suppressed Carrier (kHz) Center (kHz)
1 5330.5 5332.0
2 5346.5 5348.0
3 5357.0 5358.5
4 5371.5 5373.0
5 5403.5 5405.0
The ARRL advises amateurs to operate with care when using digital
modes in consideration of the fact that hams are secondary users on
these frequencies. See the revised 60-Meter FAQ page on the ARRL Web
at, http://www.arrl.org/60-meter-faq.
The revised ARRL 60-Meter Recommended Practices document can also be
found in PDF form on the web at,
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Regulatory/Recommended_Practices_Version_6_5.pdf.
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