The FCC R&O makes some big changes on HF. It limits the bandwidth of data transmission to 500 Hz below 30 MHz.. It also states that data and image transmission were never authorized in the same HF frequency segments so data in the phone/image segments seems to be prohibited. Considerable spectrum currently available for data will be lost: 150 kHz on 80 m and 25 kHz on 40 m.
The R&O seems to endorse the concept that the lower end of each HF band will have 500 Hz wide emissions and the upper portion of each HF band will have 3-12 kHz wide emissions. The ARRL asked for 3 kHz wide data on HF, but was turned down. Since the FCC is modifying the rules to allow image transmission (facsimile only) in the segments reserved for data and RTTY, we should ask the FCC to allow data transmission in the phone/image segments. This can be done by modifying the definition of image in 97.3 (c) to read as follows: "(3) Image. Facsimile and television emissions having designators with A, C, D, F, G, H, J or R as the first symbol; 1, 2 or 3 as the second symbol; C, D, E or F as the third symbol, and emissions having B as the first symbol; 7, 8 or 9 as the second symbol; C, D, E, F or W as the third symbol". This redefines image transmission as multimedia transmission, where any combination of data, image and phone can be used. Regulation by bandwidth could be included by adding a second sentance: "These emissions shall have an occupied bandwidth of 9 kHz or less when transmitted on an amateur service frequency below 25 MHz, an occupied bandwidth of 16 kHz or less when transmitted on an amateur service frequency below 30 MHz and an occupied bandwidth of 200 kHz or less when transmitted on an amateur service frequency below 220 MHz". Paragraph 97.307 (f) (2) would also have to be removed and the table in 97.305 modified to eliminate references to it. 73, John KD6OZH Need a Digital mode QSO? Connect to Telnet://cluster.dynalias.org Other areas of interest: The MixW Reflector : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/themixwgroup/ DigiPol: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digipol (band plan policy discussion) Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/