Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-22 Thread John B. Stephensen
The 300 baud limit applies only to the HF RTTY/data segments. In the 
phone/image segments below 29 MHz there s no baud rate limit but the bandwidth 
is limited by the following parts of 97.307(f).

(1) No angle-modulated emission may have a modulation index greater 
than 1 at the highest modulation frequency.
(2) No non-phone emission shall exceed the bandwidth of a 
communications quality phone emission of the same modulation type. The 
total bandwidth of an independent sideband emission (having B as the 
first symbol), or a multiplexed image and phone emission, shall not 
exceed that of a communications quality A3E emission.

Given the width of some amateur AM signals on 80 meters, this limit seems to be 
10 kHz below 29 MHz.

73,

John
KD6OZH
  - Original Message - 
  From: Trevor . 
  To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 09:18 UTC
  Subject: Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams



  However, there may be scope in interpretation of the regs. Up until a few 
years ago many US amateurs were under the impression that you could only send a 
maximum of 300 bits per second on HF. What the rules actually specified was a 
maximum symbol rate of 300 Baud and, probably because no had thought to do so, 
there was no limit specified on the number of carriers you could transmit. 
That's how these days US hams can run digital voice/sstv. 




Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-22 Thread W2XJ
I am not going to wade back into part 97 for this, but I believe 5 khz audio
is beyond the scope of being communications quality. I know a number people
who have a lot of rebuilt broadcast audio gear and are also audiophiles,
many in the pro audio business and they are really in to this. Regardless,
more than 3 khz if not blatantly illegal is certainly not what the FCC
intended.



From: John B. Stephensen kd6...@comcast.net
Reply-To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:27:41 -
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

 
 
 
   

 
The 300 baud limit applies only to the HF RTTY/data segments. In the
phone/image segments below 29 MHz there s no baud rate limit but the
bandwidth is limited by the following parts of 97.307(f).
 
(1) No angle-modulated emission may have a modulation index greater
than 1 at the highest modulation frequency.
(2) No non-phone emission shall exceed the bandwidth of a
communications quality phone emission of the same modulation type. The
total bandwidth of an independent sideband emission (having B as the
first symbol), or a multiplexed image and phone emission, shall not
exceed that of a communications quality A3E emission.
Given the width of some amateur AM signals on 80 meters, this limit seems to
be 10 kHz below 29 MHz.
 
73,
 
John
KD6OZH
  
 - Original Message -
  
 From:  Trevor . mailto:m5...@yahoo.co.uk
  
 To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
  
 Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 09:18  UTC
  
 Subject: Re: [digitalradio] FCC  Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 However, there may be scope in interpretation  of the regs. Up until a few
 years ago many US amateurs were under the  impression that you could only send
 a maximum of 300 bits per second on HF.  What the rules actually specified was
 a maximum symbol rate of 300 Baud and,  probably because no had thought to do
 so, there was no limit specified on the  number of carriers you could
 transmit. That's how these days US hams can run  digital voice/sstv.
 
 
   





[digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-21 Thread expeditionradio
Given the fact that ROS Modem has been advertised as Frequency Hopping Spread 
Spectrum (FHSS), it may be quite difficult for USA amateur radio operators to 
obtain a positive interpretation of rules by FCC to allow use of ROS on HF 
without some type of experimental license or waiver. Otherwise, hams will need 
an amendment of FCC rules to use it in USA. 

Sadly, this may lead to the early death of ROS among USA hams.

If ROS Modem had simply provided the technical specifications of the emission, 
and not called it Spread Spectrum, there would have been a chance for it to 
be easily adopted by Ham Radio operators in USA. 

But, the ROS modem designer is rightfully proud of the design, and he lives in 
a country that is not bound by FCC rules, and probably had little or no 
knowledge of how his advertising might prevent thousands of hams from using it 
in USA. 

But, as they say, You cannot un-ring a bell, once it has been rung.

ROS signal can be viewed as a type of FSK, similar to various other types of 
n-ary-FSK presently in widespread use by USA hams. The specific algorithms for 
signal process and format could simply have been documented without calling it 
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). Since it is a narrowband signal 
(using the FCC and ITU definitions of narrowband emission = less than 3kHz) 
within the width of an SSB passband, it does not fit the traditional FHSS 
description as a conventional wideband technique. 

It probably would not have been viewed as FHSS under the spirit and intention 
of the FCC rules. It doesn't hop the VFO frequency. It simply FSKs according to 
a programmable algorithm, and it meets the infamous 1kHz shift 300 baud rule. 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/d-305.html#307f3 

This is a typical example of how outdated the present FCC rules are, keeping 
USA hams in TECHNOLOGY JAIL while the rest of the world's hams move forward 
with digital technology. It should come as no surprise that most of the new ham 
radio digital modes are not being developed in USA!

But, for a moment, let's put aside the issue of current FCC prohibition 
against Spread Spectrum and/or Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, and how it 
relates to ROS mode. Let's look at bandwidth.

There is the other issue of bandwidth that some misguided USA hams have 
brought up here and in other forums related to ROS. Some superstitious hams 
seem to erroneously think that there is an over-reaching bandwidth limit in 
the FCC rules for data/text modes on HF that might indicate what part of the 
ham band to operate it or not operate it. 

FACT:
There is currently no finite bandwidth limit on HF data/text emission in USA 
ham bands, except for the sub-band and band edges.

FACT:
FCC data/text HF rules are still mainly based on content of the emission, 
not bandwidth.

New SDR radios have the potential to transmit and receive wider bandwidths than 
the traditional 3kHz SSB passband. We will see a lot more development in this 
area of technology in the future, and a lot more gray areas of 20th century FCC 
rules that inhibit innovation and progress for ham radio HF digital technology 
in the 21st century.  

Several years ago, there was a proposal to FCC to provide regulation by 
bandwidth rather than content. However, it failed to be adopted, and ARRL's 
petition to limit bandwidth was withdrawn
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/27/101/?nc=1

Thus, USA hams will continue to be in Technology Jail without access to many 
new modes in the foreseeable future :(

Best Wishes,
Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA



Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-21 Thread Raymond Lunsford
You can't unscramble eggs.

On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 7:09 PM, expeditionradio
expeditionra...@yahoo.comwrote:

 Given the fact that ROS Modem has been advertised as Frequency Hopping
 Spread Spectrum (FHSS), it may be quite difficult for USA amateur radio
 operators to obtain a positive interpretation of rules by FCC to allow use
 of ROS on HF without some type of experimental license or waiver. Otherwise,
 hams will need an amendment of FCC rules to use it in USA.

 Sadly, this may lead to the early death of ROS among USA hams.

 If ROS Modem had simply provided the technical specifications of the
 emission, and not called it Spread Spectrum, there would have been a
 chance for it to be easily adopted by Ham Radio operators in USA.

 But, the ROS modem designer is rightfully proud of the design, and he lives
 in a country that is not bound by FCC rules, and probably had little or no
 knowledge of how his advertising might prevent thousands of hams from using
 it in USA.

 But, as they say, You cannot un-ring a bell, once it has been rung.

 ROS signal can be viewed as a type of FSK, similar to various other types
 of n-ary-FSK presently in widespread use by USA hams. The specific
 algorithms for signal process and format could simply have been documented
 without calling it Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). Since it is a
 narrowband signal (using the FCC and ITU definitions of narrowband emission
 = less than 3kHz) within the width of an SSB passband, it does not fit the
 traditional FHSS description as a conventional wideband technique.

 It probably would not have been viewed as FHSS under the spirit and
 intention of the FCC rules. It doesn't hop the VFO frequency. It simply FSKs
 according to a programmable algorithm, and it meets the infamous 1kHz shift
 300 baud rule.
 http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/d-305.html#307f3

 This is a typical example of how outdated the present FCC rules are,
 keeping USA hams in TECHNOLOGY JAIL while the rest of the world's hams
 move forward with digital technology. It should come as no surprise that
 most of the new ham radio digital modes are not being developed in USA!

 But, for a moment, let's put aside the issue of current FCC prohibition
 against Spread Spectrum and/or Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, and how it
 relates to ROS mode. Let's look at bandwidth.

 There is the other issue of bandwidth that some misguided USA hams have
 brought up here and in other forums related to ROS. Some superstitious hams
 seem to erroneously think that there is an over-reaching bandwidth limit
 in the FCC rules for data/text modes on HF that might indicate what part of
 the ham band to operate it or not operate it.

 FACT:
 There is currently no finite bandwidth limit on HF data/text emission in
 USA ham bands, except for the sub-band and band edges.

 FACT:
 FCC data/text HF rules are still mainly based on content of the
 emission, not bandwidth.

 New SDR radios have the potential to transmit and receive wider bandwidths
 than the traditional 3kHz SSB passband. We will see a lot more development
 in this area of technology in the future, and a lot more gray areas of 20th
 century FCC rules that inhibit innovation and progress for ham radio HF
 digital technology in the 21st century.

 Several years ago, there was a proposal to FCC to provide regulation by
 bandwidth rather than content. However, it failed to be adopted, and ARRL's
 petition to limit bandwidth was withdrawn
 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/27/101/?nc=1

 Thus, USA hams will continue to be in Technology Jail without access to
 many new modes in the foreseeable future :(

 Best Wishes,
 Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA



 

 Try Hamspots, PSKreporter, and K3UK Sked Page
 http://www.obriensweb.com/skedpskr4.html
 Yahoo! Groups Links






Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-21 Thread W2XJ
Bonnie you have a Ham unfriendly addenda. Say what you like but at the end
of the day it is BS.



From: expeditionradio expeditionra...@yahoo.com
Reply-To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:09:14 -
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

 
 
 
   

Given the fact that ROS Modem has been advertised as Frequency Hopping
Spread Spectrum (FHSS), it may be quite difficult for USA amateur radio
operators to obtain a positive interpretation of rules by FCC to allow use
of ROS on HF without some type of experimental license or waiver. Otherwise,
hams will need an amendment of FCC rules to use it in USA.

Sadly, this may lead to the early death of ROS among USA hams.

If ROS Modem had simply provided the technical specifications of the
emission, and not called it Spread Spectrum, there would have been a
chance for it to be easily adopted by Ham Radio operators in USA.

But, the ROS modem designer is rightfully proud of the design, and he lives
in a country that is not bound by FCC rules, and probably had little or no
knowledge of how his advertising might prevent thousands of hams from using
it in USA. 

But, as they say, You cannot un-ring a bell, once it has been rung.

ROS signal can be viewed as a type of FSK, similar to various other types of
n-ary-FSK presently in widespread use by USA hams. The specific algorithms
for signal process and format could simply have been documented without
calling it Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). Since it is a
narrowband signal (using the FCC and ITU definitions of narrowband emission
= less than 3kHz) within the width of an SSB passband, it does not fit the
traditional FHSS description as a conventional wideband technique.

It probably would not have been viewed as FHSS under the spirit and
intention of the FCC rules. It doesn't hop the VFO frequency. It simply FSKs
according to a programmable algorithm, and it meets the infamous 1kHz shift
300 baud rule. 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/d-305.html#307f3

This is a typical example of how outdated the present FCC rules are, keeping
USA hams in TECHNOLOGY JAIL while the rest of the world's hams move
forward with digital technology. It should come as no surprise that most of
the new ham radio digital modes are not being developed in USA!

But, for a moment, let's put aside the issue of current FCC prohibition
against Spread Spectrum and/or Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, and how it
relates to ROS mode. Let's look at bandwidth.

There is the other issue of bandwidth that some misguided USA hams have
brought up here and in other forums related to ROS. Some superstitious hams
seem to erroneously think that there is an over-reaching bandwidth limit
in the FCC rules for data/text modes on HF that might indicate what part of
the ham band to operate it or not operate it.

FACT:
There is currently no finite bandwidth limit on HF data/text emission in
USA ham bands, except for the sub-band and band edges.

FACT:
FCC data/text HF rules are still mainly based on content of the emission,
not bandwidth.

New SDR radios have the potential to transmit and receive wider bandwidths
than the traditional 3kHz SSB passband. We will see a lot more development
in this area of technology in the future, and a lot more gray areas of 20th
century FCC rules that inhibit innovation and progress for ham radio HF
digital technology in the 21st century.

Several years ago, there was a proposal to FCC to provide regulation by
bandwidth rather than content. However, it failed to be adopted, and ARRL's
petition to limit bandwidth was withdrawn
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/27/101/?nc=1

Thus, USA hams will continue to be in Technology Jail without access to many
new modes in the foreseeable future :(

Best Wishes,
Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA

 
   





Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-21 Thread J. Moen
Bonnie's note describes the US/FCC regulations issues regarding ROS and SS 
really well.  It's the best description of the US problem I've seen on this 
reflector.

After reading what seems like hundreds of notes, I now agree that if ROS uses 
FHSS techniques, as its author says it does (and none of us has seen the code), 
 then even though it 1) uses less 3 kHz bandwidth,  2) does not appear to do 
any more harm than a SSB signal and 3) is similar to other FSK modes, it is not 
legal in FCC jurisdictions.

As Bonnie points out, ROS doesn't hop the VFO frequency, but within the 2.5 
bandwidth, it technically is SS.  This would be true if ROS used 300 Hz 
bandwidth instead of 2.5 kHz, but hopped about using FHSS within the 300 Hz 
bandwidth.  So I have to agree the FCC regs are not well written in this case.

Regarding the corollary issue of US/FCC regulations focused on content instead 
of bandwidth, I'm not competent to comment.  

   Jim - K6JM
 
  - Original Message - 
  From: expeditionradio 
  To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 5:09 PM
  Subject: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams



  Given the fact that ROS Modem has been advertised as Frequency Hopping Spread 
Spectrum (FHSS), it may be quite difficult for USA amateur radio operators to 
obtain a positive interpretation of rules by FCC to allow use of ROS on HF 
without some type of experimental license or waiver. Otherwise, hams will need 
an amendment of FCC rules to use it in USA. 

  Sadly, this may lead to the early death of ROS among USA hams.

  If ROS Modem had simply provided the technical specifications of the 
emission, and not called it Spread Spectrum, there would have been a chance 
for it to be easily adopted by Ham Radio operators in USA. 

  But, the ROS modem designer is rightfully proud of the design, and he lives 
in a country that is not bound by FCC rules, and probably had little or no 
knowledge of how his advertising might prevent thousands of hams from using it 
in USA. 

  But, as they say, You cannot un-ring a bell, once it has been rung.

  ROS signal can be viewed as a type of FSK, similar to various other types of 
n-ary-FSK presently in widespread use by USA hams. The specific algorithms for 
signal process and format could simply have been documented without calling it 
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). Since it is a narrowband signal 
(using the FCC and ITU definitions of narrowband emission = less than 3kHz) 
within the width of an SSB passband, it does not fit the traditional FHSS 
description as a conventional wideband technique. 

  It probably would not have been viewed as FHSS under the spirit and intention 
of the FCC rules. It doesn't hop the VFO frequency. It simply FSKs according to 
a programmable algorithm, and it meets the infamous 1kHz shift 300 baud rule. 
  http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/d-305.html#307f3 

  This is a typical example of how outdated the present FCC rules are, keeping 
USA hams in TECHNOLOGY JAIL while the rest of the world's hams move forward 
with digital technology. It should come as no surprise that most of the new ham 
radio digital modes are not being developed in USA!

  But, for a moment, let's put aside the issue of current FCC prohibition 
against Spread Spectrum and/or Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, and how it 
relates to ROS mode. Let's look at bandwidth.

  There is the other issue of bandwidth that some misguided USA hams have 
brought up here and in other forums related to ROS. Some superstitious hams 
seem to erroneously think that there is an over-reaching bandwidth limit in 
the FCC rules for data/text modes on HF that might indicate what part of the 
ham band to operate it or not operate it. 

  FACT:
  There is currently no finite bandwidth limit on HF data/text emission in USA 
ham bands, except for the sub-band and band edges.

  FACT:
  FCC data/text HF rules are still mainly based on content of the emission, 
not bandwidth.

  New SDR radios have the potential to transmit and receive wider bandwidths 
than the traditional 3kHz SSB passband. We will see a lot more development in 
this area of technology in the future, and a lot more gray areas of 20th 
century FCC rules that inhibit innovation and progress for ham radio HF digital 
technology in the 21st century. 

  Several years ago, there was a proposal to FCC to provide regulation by 
bandwidth rather than content. However, it failed to be adopted, and ARRL's 
petition to limit bandwidth was withdrawn
  http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/27/101/?nc=1

  Thus, USA hams will continue to be in Technology Jail without access to many 
new modes in the foreseeable future :(

  Best Wishes,
  Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA


Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-21 Thread KH6TY
RF is RF and the FCC does not care how the frequency expansion is done, 
whether by VFO shift or supressed carrier tone shift. I am shocked that 
Bonnie does not understand that simple principle. For example, true FSK 
is done by VFO shift, but FSK is also done on SSB by tone shift. The 
result is identical, the only difference being that the transceiver does 
not have to be linear with FSK shift, but it does with tone frequency 
shift to prevent splatter. The problem with ROS is that the frequency 
shift is by a method too similar to that used in VFO-shifting spread 
spectrum (frequency hopping) transceivers, so to the observer, there is 
no difference. It is the frequency hopping that makes ROS spread 
spectrum, and unfortunately, that is against the FCC regulations. If it 
were not, there could possibly be spread spectrum transceivers using 
tone shifts much wider than an IF bandwidth, even using soundcards, just 
like SDR's spectrum displays use. In that case, more than one voice 
channel would be taken up for the benefit of the SS user, to the 
detriment of adjacent stations, or even those farther away, if there 
were no other limitations on bandwidth utilized.


73 - Skip KH6TY




W2XJ wrote:
 

Bonnie you have a Ham unfriendly addenda. Say what you like but at the 
end of the day it is BS.




*From: *expeditionradio expeditionra...@yahoo.com 
expeditionra...@yahoo.com

*Reply-To: *digitalradio@yahoogroups.com digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
*Date: *Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:09:14 -
*To: *digitalradio@yahoogroups.com digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
*Subject: *[digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

 
 
 
   

Given the fact that ROS Modem has been advertised as Frequency Hopping 
Spread Spectrum (FHSS), it may be quite difficult for USA amateur 
radio operators to obtain a positive interpretation of rules by FCC to 
allow use of ROS on HF without some type of experimental license or 
waiver. Otherwise, hams will need an amendment of FCC rules to use it 
in USA.


Sadly, this may lead to the early death of ROS among USA hams.

If ROS Modem had simply provided the technical specifications of the 
emission, and not called it Spread Spectrum, there would have been a 
chance for it to be easily adopted by Ham Radio operators in USA.


But, the ROS modem designer is rightfully proud of the design, and he 
lives in a country that is not bound by FCC rules, and probably had 
little or no knowledge of how his advertising might prevent thousands 
of hams from using it in USA.


But, as they say, You cannot un-ring a bell, once it has been rung.

ROS signal can be viewed as a type of FSK, similar to various other 
types of n-ary-FSK presently in widespread use by USA hams. The 
specific algorithms for signal process and format could simply have 
been documented without calling it Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum 
(FHSS). Since it is a narrowband signal (using the FCC and ITU 
definitions of narrowband emission = less than 3kHz) within the width 
of an SSB passband, it does not fit the traditional FHSS description 
as a conventional wideband technique.


It probably would not have been viewed as FHSS under the spirit and 
intention of the FCC rules. It doesn't hop the VFO frequency. It 
simply FSKs according to a programmable algorithm, and it meets the 
infamous 1kHz shift 300 baud rule.
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/d-305.html#307f3 
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/d-305.html#307f3 



This is a typical example of how outdated the present FCC rules are, 
keeping USA hams in TECHNOLOGY JAIL while the rest of the world's 
hams move forward with digital technology. It should come as no 
surprise that most of the new ham radio digital modes are not being 
developed in USA!


But, for a moment, let's put aside the issue of current FCC 
prohibition against Spread Spectrum and/or Frequency Hopping Spread 
Spectrum, and how it relates to ROS mode. Let's look at bandwidth.


There is the other issue of bandwidth that some misguided USA hams 
have brought up here and in other forums related to ROS. Some 
superstitious hams seem to erroneously think that there is an 
over-reaching bandwidth limit in the FCC rules for data/text modes 
on HF that might indicate what part of the ham band to operate it or 
not operate it.


FACT:
There is currently no finite bandwidth limit on HF data/text emission 
in USA ham bands, except for the sub-band and band edges.


FACT:
FCC data/text HF rules are still mainly based on content of the 
emission, not bandwidth.


New SDR radios have the potential to transmit and receive wider 
bandwidths than the traditional 3kHz SSB passband. We will see a lot 
more development in this area of technology in the future, and a lot 
more gray areas of 20th century FCC rules that inhibit innovation and 
progress for ham radio HF digital technology in the 21st

Re: [digitalradio] FCC Technology Jail: ROS Dead on HF for USA Hams

2010-02-21 Thread Andy obrien
Feel free to disagree,  but please show respect for  opinions that
differ from yours. BS is not the most respectful term when
disagreeing.

Andy K3UK


On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 9:36 PM, W2XJ w...@w2xj.net wrote:



 Bonnie you have a Ham unfriendly addenda. Say what you like but at the end of 
 the day it is BS.