What's the problem you have 222MHZ and up
From: expeditionradio expeditionra...@yahoo.com
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sat, March 6, 2010 3:40:42 PM
Subject: [digitalradio] Re: Anecdotes about FCC inadvertent hostility toward
ham radio digital modes?
Generally speaking, USA's FCC rules for ham digital technology are sadly
antiquated, and many common digital methods could fall into gray areas of the
rules, or prohibited areas of the rules depending upon how the rules are
interpreted or how the method is described. Overly-complex and restrictive
rules that evolved for 20th century communications methods can often lead to
erroneous interpretations of the rules.
If a question about 21st century digital technology is not phrased correctly,
or if there is even the slightest misunderstanding or specification
complication. .. that off-the-cuff interpretation in a telephone call to FCC,
or an email request, may start a domino effect which could have far-reaching
adverse effects upon other aspects of ham radio digital technology.
Even well-researched recent petitions and formal proposals for rulemaking have
backfired, and the results have been detrimental to Amateur Radio Service
digital communications. For example, a recent proposal resulted in an FCC
ruling that took a large and extremely valuable chunk of the 80meter band away
from the CW/Data/RTTY sub-band (even though no one proposed it or asked for it
to be taken away).
One of the fundamental aspects (myths?) of the Amateur Radio Service in USA is
that hams are 'encouraged to pursue advancement of the state of the art of
radio' ; in actual practice, USA hams are boxed in with arbitrary and
nonsensical content restrictions and obsolete technical limitations.
Literally, USA hams are confined to a digital technology jail... especially
compared to other more advanced countries of the world.
Most of the basic aspects of Radio Frequency technology were developed in the
20th century. The real frontier of radio technology now is in the use of
digital processing, modulation, and methods of automation or control of radio.
And it just so happens, that this is the area of the FCC rules that severely
lacks freedom and is most counter-productive toward pioneering USA hams.
The ham radio rules for digital methods and technology in USA have changed very
little to accommodate 21st century technology and encourage advancement of the
state-of-the- art... despite the fact that the very basic purpose of ham radio
in USA includes significant emphasis on this:
FCC Part 97, Amateur Radio Service,
Subpart A--General Provisions, §97.1 Basis and purpose.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute
to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which
provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of
the art.
Good luck.
73 Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA
.
