REACT Urges Opposition to FCC NPRM 10-119 Just released FCC NPRM proposing a complete rewrite of the entire Part 95 Rules: NPRM FCC-10-106A1 (10-119)
The FCC NPRM requests comment and discussion of their proposed changes, which, among other things, propose to end the requirement for licensing in GMRS, LOWER the power allowed (to 2 watts for portables), potentially remove repeaters, firmly prohibit scrambling of any kind, and perhaps, prohibit use of radios dual/type accepted for part 90 and 95! PDF <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-106A1.pdf> DOC <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-106A1.doc> TXT <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-106A1.txt> At a glance, the NPRM explores these main topics for the GMRS, FRS, and CB radio services: * Eliminate GMRS licensing (aka "license by rule"), similar to the FRS and CB spectrum, or extend licensing term from five to ten years. * Relax eligibility requirements. Under the current GMRS licensing regulations, only those aged 18 years or older are eligible to apply for a GMRS license. According to the FCC, if licensing is eliminated, it will be very similar to the FRS service, which has no such age restriction, so they don't find a reason to continue the age eligibility requirement. * Move to narrowband 12.5 kHz spacing. Currently GMRS uses 25 kHz spacing. Moving to narrowband FM would provide better spectrum management. * Decrease GMRS handheld radio output power from 5 to 2 watts. * Eliminate the use of repeaters in the GMRS service. * Consideration of a petition from Garmin to allow the transmission of GPS location information and user-generated text messages on certain GMRS channels. These emissions are already authorized on FRS channels, but Garmin would like the FCC to consider allowing it in the GMRS spectrum. An example of such a radio that is on the FRS service is the Garmin Rino 110 <https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6404&ra=true#> . * Prohibition of approval of dual VHF Marine/FRS radios. * Clarification of regulations to explicitly allow hands-free microphones to operate in the CB band. * Decrease the allowable output power or prohibit the use of directional antennas for CB radios. Comment period ends July 9th. To submit or view comments, please go to the following url: NPRM 10-119 Comment Submission <http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view;jsessionid=MTqHCZ5Sg0JQfW\ TVmy1sxhXxzSZFTMJ3y8z8Ltd2wLt2t2MD1Z5t!-1822637038!2112409258?name=10-11\ 9> REACT International is urging all Teams and Members to submit comments in Opposition to this NPRM. We suggest reviewing some of the other comments prior to submitting a comment in Opposition to this NPRM. We have created a template for use in submitting comments, this can be found below. NPRM 10-119 Comment Template <http://hq.reactintl.org/files/NPRM_10-119_Template.doc>
