FCC Petition for 4-meter band

[K9STH]

Per the "suggestion" that "someone" needs to petition the FCC to establish a 4-meter band for amateur use in the United States (the 4-meter band is available in a number of European and African nations) I have submitted the following petition to the FCC:

Glen E. Zook
410 Lawndale Drive
Richardson, Texas 75080
(972) 231-3987
gezook@sbcglobal.net

27 January 2010



Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

Subject: Petition for proposed changes in 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.301(a) and Section 97.305(c) to add the 4-meter band

Commissioners:

The 4-meter (70.000 MHz to 70.500 MHz) amateur radio band has been authorized in a growing number of European and African nations and establishing such privileges for amateur radio operators in the United States and other areas over which the Commission has jurisdiction would be of great benefit to those operators residing in such areas. The recent migration of broadcast television stations to primarily the UHF frequencies basically eliminates any probable interference to television channels 4 or 5 which otherwise might have occurred because the 4-meter band is located on frequencies that were allocated to television channel 4. Since the 4-meter amateur radio band does not fall in the 72.0 MHz to 76.0 MHz segment which is allocated to Operational Fixed and various mobile services there would be no potential co-channel or adjacent channel interference.

It is proposed to allow all classes of amateur radio operators operating privileges on this new band. However, it is suggested that Novice Class licensees be restricted to a lower output level than those allowed for Technician Class, General Class, Advanced Class, and Amateur Extra Class licensees. If the present power output limitations of 1500 watts are granted to the higher class licensees then the Novice Class licensees should be restricted to no more than 200 watts power output as per most of the privileges granted those operators who hold a Novice Class license. If a lower power limit is placed on other classes of operator then the power output limits on the Novice Class should be reduced accordingly. For example, if power limitations of 200 watts maximum output power be placed on Technician Class and higher licensees, then it is suggested that Novice Class licensees be held to no more than 25 watts output.

One possible scenario would be to limit the Technician Class and higher licensees to 200 watts output power for a period of time (i.e. for 2 years) to determine any major interference problems which may occur by establishing these new operating privileges. At the end of that time, then the power output should be increased to the 1500 watts output power now allowed to Technician Class and higher class licensees. The power output allowed for Novice Class operations would then be 25 watts for 2-years increasing to 200 watts after the 2-year time frame.

It is recommended that 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.301(a) have the following additions made:

Wavelength band Region I Region II Region III Sharing

4m 70.0 – 70.5 MHz 70.0 – 70.5 MHz - (a)



and Section 97.305(c) have the following additions made:

VHF

4m MCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, test (2), (5), (8)



Respectively submitted:



Glen E. Zook, K9STH


Whether or not the FCC will even actually consider establishing a new amateur radio band will have to be seen. But, nothing tried, nothing gained!

Glen, K9STH

[W0IS]

Well, thank you!

But I have my doubts. It looks like there are still hundreds of incumbent users there:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state...&slon2=&size=9

It looks like they're mostly low-power analog stations, but there are a few DT stations as well. Further complicating matters, there are still Canadian and Mexican high-power analog stations there.

[K9STH]

I know!

But, hopefully, this will at least get the FCC "thinking" about a 4-meter band.

Glen, K9STH

[AF6LJ]

That would be great, Thanks Glen.

[W9VER]

So 70 Mhz, is that like Six meter like propagation?

[KC0NBW]

Per the "suggestion" that "someone" needs to petition the FCC to establish a 4-meter band for amateur use in the United States (the 4-meter band is available in a number of European and African nations) I have submitted the following petition to the FCC:

Glen E. Zook
410 Lawndale Drive
Richardson, Texas 75080
(972) 231-3987
gezook@sbcglobal.net

27 January 2010



Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

Subject: Petition for proposed changes in 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.301(a) and Section 97.305(c) to add the 4-meter band

Commissioners:

The 4-meter (70.000 MHz to 70.500 MHz) amateur radio band has been authorized in a growing number of European and African nations and establishing such privileges for amateur radio operators in the United States and other areas over which the Commission has jurisdiction would be of great benefit to those operators residing in such areas. The recent migration of broadcast television stations to primarily the UHF frequencies basically eliminates any probable interference to television channels 4 or 5 which otherwise might have occurred because the 4-meter band is located on frequencies that were allocated to television channel 4. Since the 4-meter amateur radio band does not fall in the 72.0 MHz to 76.0 MHz segment which is allocated to Operational Fixed and various mobile services there would be no potential co-channel or adjacent channel interference.

It is proposed to allow all classes of amateur radio operators operating privileges on this new band. However, it is suggested that Novice Class licensees be restricted to a lower output level than those allowed for Technician Class, General Class, Advanced Class, and Amateur Extra Class licensees. If the present power output limitations of 1500 watts are granted to the higher class licensees then the Novice Class licensees should be restricted to no more than 200 watts power output as per most of the privileges granted those operators who hold a Novice Class license. If a lower power limit is placed on other classes of operator then the power output limits on the Novice Class should be reduced accordingly. For example, if power limitations of 200 watts maximum output power be placed on Technician Class and higher licensees, then it is suggested that Novice Class licensees be held to no more than 25 watts output.

One possible scenario would be to limit the Technician Class and higher licensees to 200 watts output power for a period of time (i.e. for 2 years) to determine any major interference problems which may occur by establishing these new operating privileges. At the end of that time, then the power output should be increased to the 1500 watts output power now allowed to Technician Class and higher class licensees. The power output allowed for Novice Class operations would then be 25 watts for 2-years increasing to 200 watts after the 2-year time frame.

It is recommended that 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.301(a) have the following additions made:

Wavelength band Region I Region II Region III Sharing

4m 70.0 – 70.5 MHz 70.0 – 70.5 MHz - (a)



and Section 97.305(c) have the following additions made:

VHF

4m MCW, phone, image, RTTY, data, test (2), (5), (8)



Respectively submitted:



Glen E. Zook, K9STH


Whether or not the FCC will even actually consider establishing a new amateur radio band will have to be seen. But, nothing tried, nothing gained!

Glen, K9STH

how many active novices do we have left in this country?

[K7JBQ]

Sure, depending of course on the E-layer, the MUF and whether the spots on the sun's surface assume the appearance of a smile or a frown (or, as at present, a Cyclops).

Seriiously, that would be a better question for those in Europe who have the allocation.

73,
Bill

So 70 Mhz, is that like Six meter like propagation?

[N0NB]

Sounds good to me. I'd be happy to weigh in on this petition in support of it should it get that far.

We had a local full power station, KSNB, on channel 4 up until Dec 1, 2009 when it went dark because the operating company went into bankruptcy. At this time the owner hasn't lit it back up again and may not given its rural coverage area and channel allocation. Too bad as now we can only get three networks OTA: ABC, CBS, and PBS with the loss of this FOX affiliate. All's not lost as we have DirecTV, but still.

While UHF was the preferred option, VHF serves us well in this area. Of the stations that transitioned to UHF, not one can be viewed here. The only UHF we get are the local PBS translators we received before the conversion.

[N1UAD]

Very well written, Glen.

[KE5FRF]

Glen,

I appreciate your effort and well written request. A suggestion: Get the big radio manufacturers and retailers on board, particularly Elecraft, Ten-Tec, and the US based sales outlets. Play the economic, jobs, trade market angle. New band privileges would open up a lot of sales with a VHF band between 2 and 6 meters and so many enthusiasts who use those frequencies. Personally, I would be happy to give up the 1.25 meter band with so little activity and in-production equipment available. (Now nobody jump down my throat, I'm not suggesting that this happen or even SHOULD happen).

I just know a 4 meter band has a great potential for huge popularity with VHFers seeking gridsquares during E openings and such.