Federal Register, Volume 60 Issue 58 (Monday, March 27, 1995)

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15686-15688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7296]

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 2, 80, and 97

[ET Docket No. 93-40; FCC 95-113]

Allocation of the 219-220 MHz Band for Use by the Amateur Radio
Service

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: By this Report and Order (Order), the Commission establishes
regulations for amateur point-to-point fixed digital message forwarding
systems, including intercity packet backbone networks. This action
provides the Amateur Radio Service use of the 219-220 MHz band on a
secondary basis.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 26, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Thomas P. Derenge, (202) 776-1621, Office of Engineering and
Technology, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC 20554.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Order
adopted March 14, 1995, and released March 17, 1995. A Summary of the
Notice of Proposed Rule Making initiating this proceeding may be found
at 58 FR 17180 (April 1, 1993). This action will not add to or decrease
the public reporting burden. The full text of the Commission decision
is available for inspection and copying during regular business hours
in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street NW., Washington,
DC. The complete text of this decision also may be purchased from the
Commission's duplication contractor, International Transcription
Services, Inc., (202) 857-3800, 2100 M Street NW., Suite 140,
Washington, DC 20037.

Summary of Order

The Order adopts rules that include a spectrum allocation on a
secondary basis, safeguards to protect other services from
interference, and technical standards for amateur operations in the
219-220 MHz band. This action is expected to provide spectrum to the
amateur radio service for point-to-point fixed digital message
forwarding systems, including intercity packet backbone networks. The
spectrum is needed to alleviate frequency congestion that amateurs are
experiencing in certain areas of the country in the 222-225 MHz band
and to facilitate establishment of regional and nationwide backbone
networks for amateur packet communications. These networks could also
be used for emergency preparedness and national defense communications.
Amateur may also use this spectrum to develop and experiment with new
technologies to further the radio art. Additionally, the rules adopted
should prevent harmful interference to the primary services on and
adjacent to the 219-220 MHz band.
2. Specifically, in the Order the Commission allocated ten 100
kilohertz channels from 219 MHz to 220 MHz. Amateur operations at 219-
220 MHz are authorized to operate at powers up to 50 watts (PEP)
without data rate limitations. This band is restricted to amateurs
holding Technician or higher class licenses.
3. The secondary status of the allocation prohibits amateur
operations from causing interference to primary services. However, it
does not protect secondary amateur operations from interference. The
Order also protects Automated Maritime Telecommunications Service
(AMTS) by requiring amateurs to notify AMTS licenses 30 days prior to
initiation of operations if the amateur operation is within 640
kilometers of an AMTS base station. Additionally, amateur stations
within 80 kilometers of an AMTS base station must obtain written
approval from the AMTS licensee prior to operating in the 219-220 MHz
band.
4. Amateurs wishing to utilize the 219-220 MHz band must notify the
American Radio Relay League (ARRL) 30 days prior to institution of
operation. The ARRL will maintain a database of all amateur and AMTS
operations in the 219-220 MHz band. Therefore, the ARRL database would
serve as a nationwide point of contact to provide coordination
information and to aid in investigation of interference problems, in
the unlikely event such problems occur. Amateur operators are
encouraged to seek coordination assistance from a local amateur
coordinator.
5. Ordering Clauses. Accordingly, it is ordered, that the American
Radio Relay League, Inc. is designated as the national contact point
for all amateur operations in the 219-220 MHz band and is responsible
for maintaining a database of all amateur operations in the 219-220 MHz
band as well as any other primary service operating in that band.
6. Further, it is ordered, that Parts 2, 80, and 97 of the
Commission's rules ARE AMENDED as specified below, effective April 26,
1995. This action is taken pursuant to Sections 4(i), 7(a), 302,
303(c), 303(f), 303(g), 303(r), and 307 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154(i), 157(a), 302, 303(c),
303(f), 303(g), and 303(r).

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 2

Radio.

47 CFR Part 80

Radio, Vessels.

47 CFR Part 97

Radio, Civil defense, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Volunteers.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Amendatory Text

Parts 2, 80, and 97 of chapter I of title 47 of the Code of Federal
Regulation are amended as follows:

PART 2--FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL
RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. The authority citation in part 2 continues to read:

Authority: Sec.4, 302, 303, and 307 of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 154, 302, 303, and 307, unless
otherwise noted.

2. Section 2.106, the Table of Frequency Allocations, is amended as
follows:
a. In the 216-220 MHz band, columns 4 through 6 in the United
States table are revised:
b. Non-Government footnote NG152 is added:
Sec. 2.106 Table of Frequency Allocations.

* * * * *

[[Page 15687]]

International table United States table FCC use designators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Government Non-government
Region 1--allocation Region 2--allocation Region 3--allocation ---------------------------------------------- Rule part(s) Special-use
MHz MHz MHz Allocation MHz Allocation MHz frequencies
(1) (2).................. (3).................. (4).................. (5).................. (6).................. (7)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * * * *
216-220 MARITIME 216-220 MARITIME MARITIME (80).
MOBILE. Aeronautical- MOBILE. Aeronautical- Private Land Mobile
Mobile. Fixed. Land Mobile. Fixed. Land (90). Personal Radio
Mobile. Mobile. Service (95).
Radiolocation. Amateur (97).
627, US210, US229, 627, US210, US229,
US274, US317, G2. US274, US317, NG152.
* * * * * * *

* * * * *
Non-Government (NG) Footnotes

* * * * *
NG152 The band 219-220 MHz is also allocated to the amateur
service on a secondary basis for stations participating, as forwarding
stations, in point-to-point fixed digital message forwarding systems,
including intercity packet backbone networks.
* * * * *

PART 80--STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES

1. The authority citation for part 80 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Sec. 4, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, unless otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST
3450, 3 UST 4726, 12 UST 2377.

2. Section 80.385 is amended by adding a new paragraph (a)(3) to
read as follows:

Sec. 80.385 Frequencies for automated systems.

* * * * *
(a) * * *
(3) Channels in the 219-220 MHz band are also used on a secondary,
non-interference basis by amateur stations participating in digital
message forwarding systems. Amateur stations may not cause harmful
interference to AMTS operations and must accept any harmful
interference from AMTS operation. Amateur stations within 80 km (50
miles) of an AMTS coast station must obtain written approval from the
AMTS licensee prior to operating in the 219-220 MHz band. Amateur
stations within 640 km (398 miles) of an AMTS coast station must notify
the AMTS licensee in writing at least 30 days prior to initiation of
operations in the 219-220 MHz band. All amateur stations must notify
the American Radio Relay League in writing at least 30 days prior to
initiation of operations in the 219-220 MHz band (ARRL, 225 Main St.,
Newington, CT 06111-1494).
* * * * *

PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE

1. 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.

2. Section 97.201(b) is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 97.201 Auxiliary station.

* * * * *
(b) An auxiliary station may transmit only on the 1.25 m and
shorter wavelength bands, except the 219-220 MHz, 222.000-222.150 MHz,
431-433 MHz, and 435-438 MHz segments.
* * * * *
3. Section 97.301(a) is amended by revising the third entry in the
VHF Wavelength band to read as follows:

Sec. 97.301 Authorized frequency bands.

* * * * *
(a) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wavelength band ITU region ITU region ITU region Sharing
-------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 requirements see
--------------------------------------- Sec. 97.303
VHF MHz MHz MHz (paragraph)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * * *
*
1.25 m................................................. ........... 219-220 ........... (a), (e).
Do................................................. ........... 222-225 ........... (a).

* * * * * *
*
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* * * * *
4. Section 97.303(e) is added to read as follows:

Sec. 97.303 Frequency sharing requirements.

* * * * *
(e) In the 1.25 m band:
(1) Use of the 219-220 MHz segment is limited to amateur stations
participating, as forwarding stations, in point-to-point fixed digital
message forwarding systems, including intercity packet backbone
networks. It is not available for other purposes.
(2) No amateur station transmitting in the 219-220 MHz segment
shall cause harmful interference to, nor is protected from interference
due to operation of Automated Maritime Telecommunications Systems
(AMTS), television broadcasting on channels 11 and 13, Interactive
Video and Data [[Page 15688]] Service systems, Land Mobile Services
systems, or any other service having a primary allocation in or
adjacent to the band.
(3) No amateur station may transmit in the 219-220 MHz segment
unless the licensee has given written notification of the station's
specific geographic location for such transmissions in order to be
incorporated into a data base that has been made available to the
public. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to making
such transmissions. The notification must be given to: The American
Radio Relay, Inc., 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494.
(4) No amateur station may transmit in the 219-220 MHz segment from
a location that is within 640 km of an AMTS Coast Station unless the
amateur station licensee has given written notification of the
station's specific geographic location for such transmissions to the
AMTS licensee. The notification must be given at least 30 days prior to
making such transmissions. AMTS Coast Station locations may be obtained
either from:

The American Radio Relay, Inc., 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-
1494

Interactive Systems, Inc., Suite 1103, 1601 North Kent Street,
Arlington, VA 22209, Fax: (703) 812-8275, Phone (703) 812-8270.

(5) No amateur station may transmit in the 219-220 MHz segment from
a location that is within 80 km of an AMTS Coast Station unless the
amateur station licensee holds written approval from that AMTS
licensee.
* * * * *
5. The table in Section 97.305(c) is amended by revising the third
entry in the VHF wavelength band to read as follows:

Sec. 97.305 Authorized emission types.

* * * * *
(c) * * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standards see
Wavelength band Frequencies Emission types Sec. 97.307(f),
authorized paragraph
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * *
1.25 m........... 219-220 MHz...... Data............ (13).
Do........... 222-225 MHz...... MCW, phone, (2), (6), (8).
image, RTTY,
data, test.

* * * *
* * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Section 97.307(f)(13) is added to read as follows:

Sec. 97.307 Emission standards.

* * * * *
(f) * * *
(13) A data emission using an unspecified digital code under the
limitations listed in Sec. 97.309(b) also may be transmitted. The
authorized bandwidth is 100 kHz.
7. Section 97.313(h) is added to read as follows:

Sec. 97.313 Transmitter power standards.

* * * * *
(h) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W
PEP on the 219-220 MHz segment of the 1.25 m band.

[FR Doc. 95-7296 Filed 3-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M