From: Thom LaCosta 
Subject: [Drakelist] New Band


Wonder how many others got on 30 meters the first day it was available?  I 
did, it was a ball and I've always had a soft spot for 30 meters since then.

The FCC, IMHO, has made a terrific blunder reference the 5 Mhz. Band....not 
even sure if I'll try to get on there.

FCC Grants Five 60-Meter Channels
The granting of just five spot frequencies--5332, 5348, 5368, 5373, and 
5405 kHz--at 60 meters was less of a surprise given opposition expressed 
last fall by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA). The NTIA had cited a possible need for the requested band by 
federal government users and proposed the five specific frequencies for 
amateur use on a secondary basis. The FCC has granted operation on USB 
(2K8J3E emission) only, with a maximum effective radiated power limit of 50 
W relative to a 0 dB gain antenna--a half-wave dipole. The channels--each 
with a maximum permissible bandwidth of 2.8 kHz--will be available to 
General and higher class licensees.

"While the new amateur privileges at 5 MHz are not as flexible as we had 
hoped, we recognize that much has changed since the ARRL petition for 
rulemaking was submitted to the FCC in the summer of 2001," Sumner said. 
"Federal agencies with homeland security responsibilities have renewed 
interest in HF radiocommunication."

Sumner predicted that, over time, amateurs "will develop a record of 
disciplined, responsible use of the five channels in the public interest 
that will justify another look at these rather severe initial restrictions."
The FCC said it gave "considerable weight" to the NTIA's concerns
in making 
its decision on the ARRL's 60-meter request. The Commission denied requests 
by the United PowerLine Council (UPLC), a consortium of PLC manufacturers, 
and the PowerLine Communications Association (PLCA) to delay action in the 
proceeding. Both organizations had said that amateur operation in the 
vicinity of 5 MHz could affect plans for broadband over future power line 
(BPL) deployment.

"We are pleased that the FCC has underscored the fact that broadband PLC 
systems must be designed so as to not cause harmful interference to 
licensed, allocated services," Sumner said.
The ARRL had conducted lengthy experimental operations on the band that 
involved users across the US. The band is primary for several governmental 
agencies including the military.

Thom

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