No comment on recusal. 

I will say that I agree fully with Joel. There are several reasons:

- CB amplifiers can be easily obtained already. In any case they have no issue whatever with our rules.

- Allowing low power drive by removing the 15dB limit has several technical advantages. The first of which is energy and weight savings. An exciter doesn't have to be a big mass of metal anymore and a big power supply doesn't need to be included with the exciter. It can be just that, an exciter, a low level signal into the final, high-gain external PA. I am talking even lower than 5W. Something like +7dBm. This can also have implications for DXpeditions, lessening their load considerably. 

- One can already obtain a low drive amp, either by importation or modification, both of which are already legal under the rules. I had in my possession at one time such an amplifier. The cost was about the same as ordering from a US dealer.

- Other more effective methods to block CB usage already exist, such as firmware locks with encryption keys to block out 26-29MHz with software. This means nobody but a factory authorized servicer can open the amplifier for CB usage. 

However, I was unaware that this was even under debate still. I thought that it was already commented on and debated?

Ria
N2RJ

On Fri, 26 Jun 2020 at 20:11, Hopengarten Fred <hopengarten@post.harvard.edu> wrote:

To the Board:

 

W1ZR, see below, thinks we should chime in on the amplifier gain rule. I believe he’s talking about the petition filed by N3JT on behalf of (perhaps it was) an Italian amplifier manufacturer.

 

Full disclosure, N3JT has been co-counsel with me in a couple of cases when I was ill a few years back and is a close friend. He has also been VERY helpful w/r/t the drafting of our AREPA bill.

 

As I recall, the original rule was designed to dampen the market for 5 watt to 500 watt-1KW CB amplifiers.

 

Should I recuse myself? Should ARRL adopt the Joel Hallas, W1ZR, position? Is this a Board matter? Or does it go to PSC?

 

 

Fred Hopengarten, Esq.   K1VR

Six Willarch Road

Lincoln, MA 01773

781.259.0088, k1vr@arrl.org

 

New England Director

cid:a4a12f0b-0468-4a39-b953-31b2a3da8564

Serving ME, NH, VT, MA, RI and CT

 

 

 

From: Hallas, Joel W1ZR [mailto:jhallas@arrl.org]
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2020 1:30 PM
To: Hopengarten, Fred, K1VR, (Dir, NE)
Subject: Suggested ARRL Position on FCC Amplifier Power Limit

 

Fred,

 

I think it is time to push the FCC to drop its rule about amplifier gain.

 

I believe that the current limitation of a max gain of 13 dB no longer serves a purpose and results in lower performance of amplifiers, and thus excessive size, weight and cost of amateur equipment.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks.

 

GL & 73, Joel

Joel R. Hallas, W1ZR

Contributing Editor, QST

ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio


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