Automatic operation is a very basic and very understandable concept.
Fully automatic refers to having machines on both sides of the link and
semi-automatic refers to having a machine on one side and a human
operator on the other.
The FCC considers any station that is automatically controlled to be ...
automatically controlled.
Under Part 97.221, an automatically controlled digital station can
transmitt automatically on 6 meters and above, plus the specific subband
segments as listed in 97.221(b).
This means that automatic operation can take place in those areas
whether machine to machine, machine to human, wide bandwidth or narrow
bandwidth.
In addition, under 97.221(c), a station may be automatically controlled
while transmitting a RTTY or data emission on any other frequency
authorized for such emission types provided that:
(1) The station is responding to interrogation by a station under
local or remote control; and
(2) No transmission from the automatically controlled station
occupies a bandwith of more than 500 Hz.
This is what hams call semi-automatic operation and is a narrow subset
of what is permitted on the 97.221(b) subbands.
There is NO moving target as Bonnie claims. The FCC rules are the FCC
rules. Period.
The reason we use the terms fully automatic and semi-automatic, even
though the FCC does not, is because the FCC does not use a label to
describe them and it would be very awkward to have to bring out the
above regulatory language rather than the much more practical ham
shorthand description.
The important thing is that hams mean exactly the same thing as what the
FCC means without the very lengthy description.
By Friday, there will be no non 97.221(c)(1) and (2) stations (fully
automatic or wide band semi-automatic) that will be operating on 80
meters in the U.S. since there will be no automatic subband available
... unless the FCC stays their own new rule.
73,
Rick, KV9U
expeditionradio wrote:
>There has been some misinformation posted on groups and websites about
>"Automatic" operation on 80 meters. It is understandable that many
>hams have been confused, with all those errors and confusion in the
>recent FCC ruling. But, there are also a few hams who are trying to
>"exploit" the confusion by spreading disinformation.
>
>In fact, it would be quite difficult to get a handle on what is
>automatic and what is non-automatic, since automation is a moving
>target in our changing world of technology. In the FCC's Amateur
>Radio Service rules, as far as I know, there are no such terms as
>"Fully Automatic" or "Semi-Automatic" used. If anyone can point out
>these terms, please elucidate.
>
>The new "omnibus" FCC rules for December 15th are *completely silent*
>on the topic of "automatic stations". In fact, it seems that...
>whoopsy-daisy, the FCC forgot to read their own rules about them :)
>
>The only reason data/texting stations in USA, automatic or manual, are
>all moving below 3600kHz is that the subband above 3600kHz is
>scheduled to become a CW/Voice/Image subband for Extra Class licensees
>on 15 December. This will happen unless there is a "stay" issued by
>FCC in response to ARRL's recent petitions, for the FCC rules taking
>effect.
>
>Even if the stay doesn't happen, emissions still remain available for
>compliant automatic use in the 3500kHz to 3600kHz subband for
>data/texting/500HzBW-image.
>
>Automatic operation will continue in the 3500kHz to 3600kHz range in
>USA. There are many automatic stations, many types of automatic
>stations, and thousands of ham operators who use these stations for
>their enjoyment of ham radio, for emergency service, and for safety.
>All of us will be packed like sardines into the 3500kHz-3600kHz
>subband now. It benefits all of us, for good spectrum efficiency, for
>all the automatic stations to run fast data... as fast as they
>possibly can.
>
>That leads to one of the reasons for my recent proposed changes in the
>80m bandplan and digital keyboarding calling frequencies. These help
>to provide a foundation for hams to effectively separate the
>relatively different techniques of time-efficient fast digital
>automatic operations from relatively bandwidth-efficient manual
>keyboarding operations.
>
>Bonnie KQ6XA
>
>.
>
>
