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K5XU



FCC Releases Long-Awaited "Omnibus" Amateur Radio Report and Order

NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 11, 2006 -- Ending a protracted waiting period, the FCC's
attachmatch/FCC-06-149A1
Report and Order in the so-called "Omnibus" Amateur Radio proceeding, WT 
Docket 04-140, was adopted October 4 and released October 10, 2006. In it, 
the
FCC adopted nearly all of the proposed changes in the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
released back in 2004. The FCC has:

expanded the phone subbands in the 75 and 40 meter bands;

permitted auxiliary stations to transmit on portions of the 2 meter band;

permitted the use of spread spectrum on 222-225 MHz;

permitted amateurs to retransmit communications from the International Space 
Station;

permitted amateur licensees to designate a specific Amateur Radio club to 
receive their call sign in memoriam;

prohibited an applicant from filing more than one application for a specific 
vanity call sign;

eliminated certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers

permitted Amateur Radio stations in Alaska and surrounding waters more 
flexibility in providing emergency communications;

clarified that "amateur stations may, at all times and on all frequencies 
authorized to the control operator, make transmissions necessary to meet 
essential
communication needs and to facilitate relief actions";

deleted the frequency bands and segments specified for RACES stations; and

deleted the requirement for public announcement of test locations and times.

In addition, the FCC took several other miscellaneous actions.

In "refarming" the frequencies currently authorized to Novice and Technician 
Plus licensees, the Commission increased the voice segments for General, 
Advanced
and Amateur Extra licensees.

On 75 meters, Generals will be able to use voice from 3800-4000 kHz, an 
increase of 50 kHz. Advanced class licensees will be able to use voice from 
3700-4000,
an increase of 75 kHz, and Amateur Extras will be able to use voice from 
3600 to 4000 kHz, a generous increase of 150 kHz.

On 40 meters, Advanced and Extra Class licensees will be able to use voice 
from 7125-7300 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz. General class licensees will be 
able
to use voice on 7175-7300 kHz, an increase of 50 kHz.

On 15 meters, General class operators will have phone privileges on 
21275-21450 kHz, an increase of 25 kHz.

ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, expressed the ARRL's gratitude to the 
FCC Commissioners in a letter dated October 11: "On behalf of the ARRL and 
the
Commission's licensees in the Amateur Radio Service I want to express 
appreciation for your release yesterday of the Report and Order in WT Docket 
04-140
(FCC 06-149) amending Part 97 of the Commission's Rules. The Commission's 
action in clearing this pending proceeding will assist the Amateur Radio 
Service
in meeting its objectives, particularly with regard to providing emergency 
and public service communications."

The changes will go into effect 30 days after the R&O is published in the 
Federal Register.