Thanks to Jim Boehner for sending this out over the weekend. To summarize the changes, which take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register (which hasn't occurred yet): 1. The frequency 5368.0 kHz (carrier frequency 5366.5 kHz) is withdrawn and a new frequency of 5358.5 kHz (carrier frequency 5357.0 kHz) is authorized. 2. The effective radiated power limit in the 60 meter band is raised by 3 dB, from 50 W PEP to 100 W PEP relative to a half-wave dipole. 3. Three additional emission types are authorized: Data (emission designator 2K80J2D, for example, PACTOR-III), RTTY (emission designator 60H0J2B, for example, PSK31) and CW (150HA1A, i.e. Morse telegraphy by means of on-off keying). For CW the carrier frequency must be set to the center frequency. For data and RTTY the requirement to transmit "only on the five center frequencies specified" may be met by using the same practice as on USB, i.e. by setting the suppressed carrier frequency of the USB transmitter used to generate the J2D or J2B emission to the carrier frequency that is 1.5 kHz below the center frequency. The new provisions for data and RTTY require some additional explanation. First of all, automatic control is not permitted; a control operator must be in a position to exercise either local or remote control over the transmitter. Also, "Amateur operators must exercise care to limit the length of transmissions so as to avoid causing harmful interference to Federal stations." This is a very important caveat. If a Federal station requires amateurs to cease using a frequency we must be able to do so without delay. A reasonable person might wonder what the difference is between data and RTTY. According to Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, "There used to be a distinction that B (Telegraphy for automatic reception [i.e. narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy emissions]) meant decoding and display on a teletypewriter (TTY) - a mechanical machine - and D signified transmission of data, telemetry or telecommand intended for data processing or just storage for possible future use. When computers or computer-like devices were introduced to emulate RTTY transmission and/or reception, the line between telegraphy and data transmission blurred to the point of little or no practical distinction." PACTOR-III and PSK31 are cited in the new rules as examples of data and RTTY emissions, respectively, that will be authorized. However, in paragraph 28 of the R&O the Commission states that amateur stations will be permitted to use "any unspecified digital code, subject to the requirements of Section 97.309(b)." Therefore, as a practical matter it appears that any J2D data emission is to be permitted up to a bandwidth of 2.8 kHz, provided that care is exercised to limit the length of transmissions. Note that the FCC declined to specify a time limit but expects the ARRL to set out "best practices" guidelines. The ARRL Ad Hoc HF Band Planning Committee chaired by Vice President Frahm has its work cut out for the next few weeks. 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ From: arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of James F. Boehner MD Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 12:55 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:20324] FCC Report and order, 5 MHz 11/18/11 FYI- Here is the FCC Website link: http://www.fcc.gov/document/amateur-radio-service-5-mhz '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio(tm)