New FCC Public Safety Bureau

[ai4ep]

...well, find out and let the rest of us know.

[KB3LIX]

Anything to bump a post counter.

Just for you EP, Have a good one.

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[w8cbc]

So long as this authority stays within the FCC, I have no problem with it. I presume that the various bureaus of the FCC do communicate amongst themselves.

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (w8cbc @ Oct. 01 2006,15:08)]So long as this authority stays within the FCC, I have no problem with it. #I presume that the various bureaus of the FCC do communicate amongst themselves.
Andrew,

What a novel idea, Federal agencies communicating amongst themselves !!!

Tell that one to the FBI, NSA, CIA, and a whole host of other alphabet soup agencies.

Got'cha !!!
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[w8cbc]

I guess I have high expectations for that particular three-letter agency. IOW, I haven't become completely cynical about it yet. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I do have problems with the way it has apparently been hamstrung in regard to broadcasting.

[KI4RDB]

My question would be can they now compel EMCOM participation if an Op is not already doing so?
Or does this just mean that another office now has the authority to declare a communications emergancy?

[k0cmh]

Word has it, form a reliable source, a friend of mine who's sister knows a fellow who's brother works in the Department of Agriculture who knows a guy in the FCC says that the FCC is saying:

Anyone with an amateur radio license can be impressed into service during a communications emergency. This will not be voluntary, you will have to report to a specified area with your equipment when called, or face imprisonment.

Since many Hams are old and in poor health, starting June 2007, all Ham operators will have to pass a physical to maintain their license. Any new license grants will include a passing physical exam. The physical requirements will be the same as those used by the U.S. Armed Services. Also, once a license is granted, each Ham will have to report to a "physical testing facility" annually and pass a fitness demonstration, which is the same as the annual military requirements, one of which is to complete a one mile course within 9 minutes, with a 40 pound field pack.

Anyone not meeting the physical requirements will have their license terminated immediately.

Anyone holding an Amateur License will also be responsible to maintain their equipment in a good state of operation. FCC inspectors will come unannounced to the license address to inspect the equipment. Any equipment found inoperable will result in cancelation of the license and an $2000.00 fine.

By October 2007, each amateur license holder will be required to have at least one of each specified pieces of radio equipment, one of which will have to be an all mode, all band, amateur transceiver, a 40 foot portable mast, battery power for at least 72 hours of operation at 100 watts.

In February 2008, the FCC will rename the Amateur Radio Service the "United States Emergency Communications Service". By Nov. 2008 the United States Emergency Comunications Service will be reorganized into a paramilitary organization, with a centralized command coming from the Pentagon.

Hi

[W5HTW]

This isn't really much departure from the RACES and old Civil Defense concepts. Don't you recall? Amateur radio is supposed to provide a "pool of trained operators and electronics technicians who can be called upon in national emergency?" That's why, by golly, we had to meet the standards of the military back in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. We were subject to being 'called up.' I call it the Communications Reserves.

Of course, during national disaster (read: war) amateur radio in itself was not to be active anyway. Only through Civil Defense or later, RACES.

But that's back when we were qualified to actually DO something! Today our technical expertise is to find the channel selector, and our operating skill is to say "Yeah, over, QSL?" We have indeed come a long ways, baby. They don't need us anymore.

What this really does, probably, is give the government a clearer right to shut amateur radio down in such a national emergency. This way they can deal with gobs of us flocking to the scene yelling "I'm in charge now, you can go home." They can round us up, confiscate our radios, and put us on KP duty. Keep us out of trouble, maybe.

Ed

[KB9YCO]

Makes you wonder if it helps or adds to the bureaucratic aspect of it all. Hopefully it helps, but when it comes to more laws and more governing agencies you always have to wonder.

[al7n]

Shutting amateurs down to "get them out of the way" is more likely what will happen. #After all the gov't is pouring money into non-amateur public safety systems on the "interoperability" idea big time so that only one station will be able to transmit to all the others at any given time.

[w8cbc]

There's a comforting thought. Shut down those who could actually help when all that expensive high-tech infrastructure goes byebye.

I still think the FCC isn't stupid. I'm not the least bit confident about their political masters however.

[KB3LIX]

Quote[/b] (w8cbc @ Oct. 02 2006,19:24)]There's a comforting thought. #Shut down those who could actually help when all that expensive high-tech infrastructure goes byebye.

I still think the FCC isn't stupid. #I'm not the least bit confident about their political masters however.
I do not think the FCC is stupid either, and my comment above was not meant to insinuate such.
Since I have held a commercial license for many years, I have always and will continue to respect the commission and its authority.

The one thing I fear is political intervention.
Politicians will always MESS things up !!!

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (NN4RH @ Oct. 01 2006,07:44)]Just a point of information.

Anyone notice the ARRL news blurb that the FCC has created a new Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau

ARRL Story on new FCC Public Safety Bureau (http://www.arrl.org/?artid=6824)

Amateur Radio remains under Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. The ARRL article doesn't mention, however, that the new bureau DOES have authority over amateur radio, in the event of a "temporary state of communications emergency".

FCC PSHSB Document (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-35A1.pdf)

Quote[/b] ]
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU
§ 0.191 Functions of the Bureau
...
(o) Is authorized to declare that a temporary state of communications emergency exists pursuant to § 97.401(b) of this chapter and to act on behalf of the Commission with respect to the operation of amateur stations during such temporary state of communications emergency.


and

Quote[/b] ]
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU
§ 0.392 Authority delegated.
...
(g) The Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau is authorized to declare that a temporary state of communications emergency exists pursuant to § 97.401(b) of this chapter and to act on behalf of the Commission with respect to the operation of amateur stations during such temporary state of communications emergency.


In other words, if PSHSB declares a "temporary state of communications emergency", then authority of ham radio shifts from WTB to this new bureau.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I haven't thought through what the implications are yet.
I don't see it as a drastic change. READ 97.401(b)

It covers the FCC's ability to declare a communications emergency in a "particular area." That would more likely be specific frequencies only used for emergency communications, and a guard band around those frequencies. It doesn't say anything about a wholesale shutdown of ALL Amateur Radio.

The only change seems to be that the new Agency (FEMA reincarnated? Heaven forbid!) could declare such an emergency, but would still follow 97.401(b) just as if the FCC called the emergency.

[AG3Y]

Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ Oct. 02 2006,08:53)]Word has it, form a reliable source, a friend of mine who's sister knows a fellow who's brother works in the Department of Agriculture who knows a guy in the FCC says that the FCC is saying:

Anyone with an amateur radio license can be impressed into service during a communications emergency. #This will not be voluntary, you will have to report to a specified area with your equipment when called, or face imprisonment. #

Since many Hams are old and in poor health, starting June 2007, all Ham operators will have to pass a physical to maintain their license. #Any new license grants will include a passing physical exam. #The physical requirements will be the same as those used by the U.S. Armed Services. #Also, once a license is granted, each Ham will have to report to a "physical testing facility" annually and pass a fitness demonstration, which is the same as the annual military requirements, one of which is to complete a one mile course within 9 minutes, with a 40 pound field pack.

Anyone not meeting the physical requirements will have their license terminated immediately.

Anyone holding an Amateur License will also be responsible to maintain their equipment in a good state of operation. #FCC inspectors will come unannounced to the license address to inspect the equipment. #Any equipment found inoperable will result in cancelation of the license and an $2000.00 fine.

By October 2007, each amateur license holder will be required to have at least one of each specified pieces of radio equipment, one of which will have to be an all mode, all band, amateur transceiver, a 40 foot portable mast, battery power for at least 72 hours of operation at 100 watts.

In February 2008, the FCC will rename the Amateur Radio Service the "United States Emergency Communications Service". #By Nov. 2008 the United States Emergency Comunications Service will be reorganized into a paramilitary organization, with a centralized command coming from the Pentagon.

Hi
Oh Goodie ! ! ! Does that mean I'll be able to wear my vest, and put shiney bright lights on top of my car, Oh can I, can I, can I ? ? ? PURTY PLEEEEEZE ! ! !








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[WA9SVD]

AG3Y:

You forgot to mention your shiny gold badge... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[AG3Y]

Oh, Yah, and my SHINY GOLD BADGE, too ! ! !

OOOO OOOOO OOOO ! ! ! I can hardly wait ! ! !








( aren't we being silly, now , Really ! ) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[AG3Y]

Hey, are we going to throw a party when I get to 7000 posts? Or is my counter going to get reset like AI4EP's did ? Inquiring minds want to KNOW ! ! !

[kb2vxa]

Hi everybody!
Hi Doctor Nick,

"I presume that the various bureaus of the FCC do communicate amongst themselves." http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Has anybody noticed that the FCC hasn't declared a communications emergency lately? What happened to the declared emergency communications frequencies and guard bands during the last spate of hurricanes, huh? Maybe they thought FEMA would handle it better. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Hey, do you think Jack Gerritsen could pass the physical? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[k5mke]

Quote[/b] ](k0cmh @ Oct. 02 2006,08:53)

Word has it, form a reliable source, a friend of mine who's sister knows a fellow who's brother works in the Department of Agriculture who knows a guy in the FCC says that the FCC is saying:

Anyone with an amateur radio license can be impressed into service during a communications emergency. This will not be voluntary, you will have to report to a specified area with your equipment when called, or face imprisonment.

Since many Hams are old and in poor health, starting June 2007, all Ham operators will have to pass a physical to maintain their license. Any new license grants will include a passing physical exam. The physical requirements will be the same as those used by the U.S. Armed Services. Also, once a license is granted, each Ham will have to report to a "physical testing facility" annually and pass a fitness demonstration, which is the same as the annual military requirements, one of which is to complete a one mile course within 9 minutes, with a 40 pound field pack.

Anyone not meeting the physical requirements will have their license terminated immediately.

Anyone holding an Amateur License will also be responsible to maintain their equipment in a good state of operation. FCC inspectors will come unannounced to the license address to inspect the equipment. Any equipment found inoperable will result in cancelation of the license and an $2000.00 fine.

By October 2007, each amateur license holder will be required to have at least one of each specified pieces of radio equipment, one of which will have to be an all mode, all band, amateur transceiver, a 40 foot portable mast, battery power for at least 72 hours of operation at 100 watts.

In February 2008, the FCC will rename the Amateur Radio Service the "United States Emergency Communications Service". By Nov. 2008 the United States Emergency Comunications Service will be reorganized into a paramilitary organization, with a centralized command coming from the Pentagon.


Me Thinks, the Govment would be better served in pressing all the C.B.'er's into this new communications service:

#1. Most have 4-wheel drive, all-terrain trucks that have ladder, headache racks, that have so many an-tanna's, the truck looks like Whup City OR a porkupine coming down the road.

#2. Their Lean-e-yars produce enough interference to jam enemy communications, clear up to and including Light.

#3. Most are already deer hunters, so you know they already have an arsenal that would most SWAT squads would envy and they can put out a mosquito's eye out with a 7 mm at 1,000 yards.

#4. Most are fishermen as well, so their bass boats could serve as a "Marine" division.

#5. A lot of them already have a complete scanner complex that monitors, 30-50 mhz., 150-174 mhz, 450-512 mhz, and the 800 & 900 mhz Police/Fire/Emergency Services bands.

#6. Let's not forget the Trucker's with their Big Rigs to carry troops, supplies, etc to stategic locations and still be in contact with Central Command.

Now, ALL of this is TICH, Tongue-In-Cheek-Humor, as the above post was.

BTW, Tomorrow, Wednesday had been declared National C.B. Radio Day.......10-4? (ducking)

Respectfully,
73,

Buck/K5-MKE

[WA9SVD]

Just a point: Only the President has the power to shutdown ALL Amateur communications nation-wide. It's through the War Powers Act. But that's not the same as a "communications emergency" as set forth in 97.401(b) It sort of eliminated the middleman (the FCC) when it's deemed necessary to have frequencies set aside (typically on HF) for emergency traffic only. I see littel functional change in the rules as they relate to most Amateurs, other than wild speculation and paranoia.

[AG3Y]

Several years ago, I took part in a Life & Death situation involving a sinking sailboat in the Caribbian Sea. After the sailboat was located, the CoastGuard came on the ham radio frequency ( middle of 15 meters, and just took over the communications directly to the boat in distress. There certainly were no questions asked or permission granted. They just did what they had to do. I cannot understand what need there is for another beauracracy to be established. I thought that the Rules & Regulations were firmly established to handle such situations.

Well, that shows you how little I know ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[kf4lne]

Life or death gets priority on ANY frequency. If someones life is at risk and they come up in the middle of the FM broadcast band then they have every right to do so if thats all they have to call for help with. Anyway, I don't think we have any need for any new waste of my hard earned tax dollars. I am SICK of shelling out money to pay for some new beauracracy that we haven't needed in the past 80 years and I am sure we don't need it now. personally i think our government needs another beauracracy like I need a second a-hole.

[WA9SVD]

AG3Y:

The Coast Guard doesn't operate under Part 97, so their authorization is different. (I'd assume in a true emergency, they can operate on any frequency needed.)
But Part 97.401(b) already gives the FCC the authority to declare an emergency "in a particular area" and designate specific frequencies (and guard frequencies) as "emergency traffic ONLY>" This is nothing new. This new ruling seems to authorize Homeland Insecurity to authorize the same type of activiey. It does NOT authorize a complete shutdown even in the emergency area. And only the President can order a nation-wide shutdown of the Amateur Service in time of War. And even THAT is not automatic. The most recent Part 47 rules require the FCC to make the decision on Amateur activity should there be a declaration of War. In such a case, only RACES stations would be allowed to operate.