ARRL Seeks Changes in FCC Proposal to Delete 3.4 GHz Amateur Band

From the ARRL web:

09/26/2020 – ARRL met via telephone with FCC staff members this week to emphasize its opposition to the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in Docket 19-348 to delete amateur radio from the 3.3 – 3.5 GHz band. The FCC will take final action in the proceeding when it meets on September 30.

In comments filed earlier this year, ARRL urged that the secondary status for amateur radio in the band be continued. In a series of meetings with Commissioner legal advisors and staff members, ARRL explained how continued secondary use by radio amateurs will not impair or devalue use of this spectrum by future primary licensees, including those intending to provide 5G or other services. ARRL also stressed the various public-benefit uses of the spectrum by amateurs, including ongoing use of television and mesh networks on the west coast of the US as part of efforts to contain wildfires.

With regard to interference potential, ARRL stated that amateur radio operators using these bands are technically proficient and have a long history of sharing with primary users in this and other bands without causing interference.

FCC staff expressed concern that because amateur operations in the band are less clearly defined than those of other services also operating on a non-interference in the band, they would be difficult to locate should interference occur. ARRL Washington Counsel David Siddall, K3ZJ, noted that Section 97.303(g), an existing amateur rule, could be amended or used to craft a notification requirement, if the FCC concluded that relying on other methods would be insufficient. The FCC participants indicated that such a requirement, in place of deleting the secondary allocation, would be given serious consideration. (Section 97.303(g) contains specific frequency-sharing requirements for the 2200- and 630-meter amateur bands.)

Siddall also pointed out that the Amateur Television Network (ATN) filed an email with the Commission that included a letter from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) describing amateur radio’s contributions, specifically calling out the need for 3.4 GHz access GHz and explaining why other bands are not sufficient.

ARRL also argued that, in any event, continued operation in the band should be permitted until and unless an actual potential for interference exists in a specific geographic area. ARRL said the FCC should not intentionally leave spectrum capacity unused during a build-out period that the Commission’s own proposal indicates will last for at least 12 years in some areas.

The record in the proceeding is now closed. Please be reminded that there can be no calls, emails, or filings to the FCC with regard to the issues under consideration until a final FCC Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is released. Release is currently expected to be within a few days after the Commission’s September 30 meeting. At that time, ARRL will evaluate the impact on amateur radio of the Commission’s decisions and consider what further action, if any, may be merited.

Support ARRL Through the Combined Federal Campaign

Combined Federal Campaign logoFor nearly 20 years, the US Office of Personnel Management has designated the ARRL (participant # 10099) to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign. This annual campaign for federal government civilian employees, US Postal Service workers and members of the military has generated more than $280,773 for ARRL programs since it first became an option for giving by federal employees to the League. The CFC provides an easy way to support ARRL’s effort to represent its members and all radio amateurs. [Full story]

Phil Temples, K9HI, Appointed as New England Division Vice Director

Phil Temples, K9HIFrom arrl.org:

09/24/2020

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Phil Temples, K9HI, of Watertown, Massachusetts, as New England Division Vice Director. He succeeds Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, who was elected earlier this year as ARRL First Vice President. President Roderick made the appointment after consulting with New England Director Fred Hopengarten, K1VR, and the region’s Section Managers.

“I want to thank all of those who forwarded their recommendations to Director Hopengarten,” Temples said. “Mike Raisbeck left some big shoes to fill. I look forward to working with Fred, and to advise and assist him with various tasks and board committee assignments. One task I’m especially eager to tackle is launching a New England Division website.”

An ARRL Life Member, Temples has been licensed for 50 years, initially as WN9EAY in Indiana. He has written articles for QST and contributed articles for the ARRL website. He also recently co-authored a chapter in the Amateur Radio Public Service Handbook.

Temples served three terms as Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager and now is an Assistant SM and an Assistant New England Division Director. He’s also held ARRL field appointments as Affiliated Club Coordinator and Public Information Officer and currently serves as program chair for the ARRL New England Division Convention.

Temples has been active in MARS, the National Traffic System, and as an Emergency Coordinator, and he enjoys CW. He holds a degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University.

Temples has actively promoted instruction and licensing and is a Volunteer Examiner under the ARRL, W5YI, and Greater Los Angeles ARG Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. He’s currently involved with New England Amateur Radio, Inc. in administering remote exam sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Temples is employed at Boston College as a computer systems administrator.

Volunteer Exam Sessions in Maine, October 2020

From http://www.arrl.org/sections/view/maine:

Saturday, October 3 9 am, Warren Sanitary District, 442 Cushing Rd (Rt 97). Look for sign at entrance, pre-registration is REQUIRED. Please call ahead spaces are filling up quick. There is a need for a few more tables. If you can bring one with you please contact trainbee@aol.com. Sponsor: PBARC, Contact: Joseph  Devonshire 549-0061 trainbee@aol.com.

Saturday, October 17 6 pm, Wells Activity Center, 113 Sanford Rd, Wells. Face masks are required please bring your own mask, Email Pre-registration is required. Sponsored by the Southern ME Packet Group, Contact: Roger Pience, roger@n1xp.com 608-9635.

If you are interested in the  video-supervised online exam sessions. Contact:  Amanda Grimaldi, N1NHL, ARRL VEC Assistant Manager agrimaldi@arrl.org.

These are tentative dates only. Please check with the contact person before traveling to verify date, time, location and exams being offered.  Bring two forms of identification, including a photo ID as well as the original and photocopies of all current FCC licenses and certificates of successful completion of exam. The photocopies will not be returned. Persons needing special accommodations should check with the contact person.

Maine QSO Party, September 26-27, 2020

The 2020 Maine QSO Party will take place on Saturday, September 26 at 1200 UTC until Sunday, September 27 at 1200 UTC.

Exchange: Stations in Maine send signal report and county. Stations outside of Maine, but within either the United States or Canada, send signal report and state/province. DX stations send signal report and “DX.”

For more information, email k1sew@arrl.net for the link.  http://www.ws1sm.com/MEQP.html