Xref: news.cs.tut.fi rec.radio.amateur.misc:43194 rec.radio.info:3101 Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 07:15:51 -0700 Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.info Followup-To: rec.radio.amateur.misc Path: news.cs.tut.fi!news.funet.fi!sunic!pipex!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!news.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!adec23!ve6mgs!usenet Message-ID: <$arlb115.1993@ampr.org> From: lhurder@arrl.org (Luck Hurder KY1T) Subject: ARLB115 222 MHz band changes Lines: 59 Approved: rec-radio-info@ve6mgs.ampr.ab.ca SB QST @ ARL $ARLB115 ARLB115 222 MHz band changes ZCZC AG57 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 115 ARLB115 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT December 1, 1993 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB115 ARLB115 222 MHz band changes 222 MHz band changes The FCC has acted to expand privileges for Novice class licensees on the 222-MHz band as well as to create a subband for ''weak signal'' work on that band, in PR Docket 92-289, in response to petitions for rule making from the ARRL. The changes will allow Novice operation in the entire 222-225 MHz band; Novices currently have access to 222.10-223.91 MHz. In making its proposal to the FCC, the League said expanding Novice privileges to include the entire 1.25 meter band made sense since Novices already are permitted to use SSB and CW on portions of the HF bands, and there was no reason why they should not be permitted to utilize those same modes in the entirety of the 222-225 MHz band, where other licensees use those modes. The FCC agreed with the ARRL, saying that it was a good idea to let Novices ''become proficient in a wider variety of amateur service operations,'' and to give them ''more flexibility in selecting the mode of transmission.'' At the same time, the FCC denied a proposal to allow Novices to be licensees and control operators of repeaters on both the 222 and 1240 MHz bands. The Commission had in fact proposed such privileges in its NPRM in 1992, but the ARRL argued against the idea, saying such privileges were not justified by the technical proficiency demonstrated by Novices on their examinations and that they would blur the distinctions between the Novice and Technician class licenses. The League also proposed that a ''weak signal'' segment be established at the bottom end of the 222 MHz band, -- at 222.0 to 222.15 MHz, similar to what previously existed at 222.00-222.50 MHz. The League said its proposal was in response to amateurs' loss in August 1991 of 2 MHz of the band (220-222 MHz) to the land mobile service and that a weak-signal subband, which could not be enforced through voluntary agreements or formalized band-planning by amateurs, was necessary to allow amateurs to carry on experiments in propagation and operating techniques. The FCC agreed that this proposal had merit and acted accordingly. The new rules are not yet in effect. NNNN /EX