SB QST @ ARL $ARLB028
ARLB028 FCC Seeks Comments on Waiver Request from Expert Linears

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ARRL Bulletin 28  ARLB028
> From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  July 29, 2016
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB028
ARLB028 FCC Seeks Comments on Waiver Request from Expert Linears

The FCC is inviting comments on a June 11 request from Expert Linears America
LLC to waive Part 97.317(a)(2) of the Amateur Service rules to permit it to
import, market, and use its model 1.3K FA amplifier in the US. The Texas
company is seeking the waiver pending resolution of its earlier Petition for
Rule Making (RM-11767), which called on the Commission to eliminate the 15 dB
gain limitation on Amateur Radio amplifiers altogether. Expert said the version
of the model 1.3K FA amplifier it now imports has been modified to comply with
current rules.

"Expert seeks a waiver in order to be able to import the unmodified version of
the Model 1.3K FA, which is capable of considerably more than 15 dB
amplification," the FCC explained in a July 29 Public Notice. "Expert argues
that the public interest would be served by permitting use of a higher-powered
amplifier, because it would improve the communications capabilities of amateurs
using portable, low-power transmitters by enabling them to approach the maximum
legal power output." Expert assured the FCC that its model 1.3K FA has
proprietary software to prevent it from transmitting in the 26-28 MHz band, so
it cannot be used in the Citizens Radio Service.

The Public Notice can be found on the web in PDF format at,
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016/db0729/DA-16-864A1
.pdf .

On May 26, ARRL told the FCC that it "strongly supports" Expert's petition
seeking to eliminate the Amateur Service rule, spelled out in Part
97.317(a)(2), that amateur amplifiers not be able to boost the RF input signal
by more than 15 dB.

Comments on Expert's waiver request are due by August 29, reply comments by
September 13.

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