This is another comment sent to me about yesterdays emails on this thread. I have uploaded the pdf file to the groups FILE SECTION. I was not able to do so in a timely manner, but now I am home from work I had a few minutes to do so in the early Sunday hours. Please read the appendix of the pdf to see if you have any of the applicants in your area listed. Florida has 9 out of 65 listed. Please note, in Florida and probably other states, interference with PS COMMS is a felony... and note, if we are already there, and yet we interfere with this, we are/would be held liable and accountable.... Think about it.... SO if you think not being a member of the ARRL is not all that important, now would be the time to reconsider, I am not promoting, just stating, the ARRL does look out for our hobby, and it does not hurt to spend the $39.00 or more a year to help them protect us.... Think about it please. It just adds to the volume of VOICES to be heard in matters like this. (I'm just saying)
Evans F. Mitchell KD4EFM / WQFK-894 Fla. D-Star Tech Support Group http://www.florida-dstar.info <http://www.florida-dstar.info/> Polk ARES A.E.C. http://www.polkemcomm.org <http://www.polkemcomm.org/> BB8330 PIN: 30965B58 _____ From: Paul Toth-NB9X [mailto:pto...@tampabay.rr.com] Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 5:03 PM Subject: Local ReconRobotics waiver applications on 70cm [1 Attachment] Evans.... A couple additional pieces of information that are relevant to this situation. These ReconRobotics devices are for transmitting NTSC video....6 MHz bandwidth signals. The FCC, in its original grant, established three 6 MHz channels for ReconRobo users to transmit on that go up as high as 445 MHz. Use of that channel conflicts with most of the Amateur Radio 70 cm activity. I am not particularly concerned with these devices causing us harmful interference. The power output, as Richard noted, to very low. The great danger is that one or more Amateur Radio repeaters/users cause harm to the ReconRobo users. While ReconRobo users will be licensed under Part 90 as SECONDARY users on these frequencies, they will share an equal footing with Amateur Radio on the band. We are also SECONDARY to the Department of Defense, the PRIMARY licensee from 420-450 MHz. Here is the rub. While the FCC may consider Amateur Radio and ReconRobo users as equals, there is a Florida statute that makes it a felony for anyone to interfere with Public safety communications. If one or more Amateur Radio repeaters or licensees interferes with ReconRobo, our exposure is with Florida law and it is substantial. If the FCC moves forward with granting these licenses, it may be necessary for Amateur Radio operator in Florida to seek legislative relief in Tallahassee on the existing Florida statute. I agree with Richard. ReconRobo should have been forced to re-tool their device to work in the 700 MHz band. That is where it belongs, not overlaid for expediency over an existing service that is not governed by the same set of rules as ReconRobo users will be. In addition to the City of Lakeland, Manatee and Pinellas Counties and the City of Bradenton are also seeking licenses. The widespread proliferation of this technology has the potential to impact all 70 cm Amateur Radio repeaters in West Central Florida, including the CARS systems in Pinellas County and the regional NI4CE system. 73 de Paul-NB9X President Clearwater Amateur Radio Society, Inc.