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Dear ARRL Member,
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with the Federal Communications Commission in response to its request for public
input on alleviating unnecessary regulatory burdens by deleting or modifying rules,
. Implementing ARRL¡¯s
suggestions would promote and protect the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur
radio, and enhance the development of the next generation of radio amateurs.
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In response to ARRL¡¯s request, over 200 members submitted
suggestions that were reviewed when considering what rules should be deleted or
modified. ARRL will continue to engage with members and advocate for the Amateur Radio Service.
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In its filing, ARRL asked the FCC to delete or amend the following rules:
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Delete the LF and VHF/UHF Symbol (Baud) Rate and Bandwidth Limitations
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ARRL supports the deletion of these restrictions as proposed
by the Commission in late 2023. Doing so would enhance Amateur experimentation with digital technologies.
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Update and Modernize Entry Level Technician Class License Privileges
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ARRL reiterated its earlier proposal for extending additional
limited privileges for Technician class operators. Adopting its proposal would
provide new licensees an introductory window to HF data and phone communications
that are at the core of the Amateur Radio experience and serve to incentivize
the next generation of technical leaders just as Novice CW HF privileges did for earlier generations of operators.
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Modernize 80/75 Meter Subband Divisions
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ARRL requested action on an earlier proposal that would make more efficient and
intense use of the 80/75 meter band. Changes in technology and modes since band
usage was last addressed have resulted in overcrowding in one band segment that
would be alleviated by adoption of ARRL¡¯s proposal.
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Delete and Replace Obsolete Digital Code Limitations
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ARRL also asked the FCC remove provisions that refer to digital codes that today
are obsolete and permit Radio Amateurs to experiment freely with new digital codes,
so long as such codes are publicly documented and decodable over the air.
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Implement Changes to Third Party
Rules Adopted Internationally at WRC-03
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Although the United States fully supported changes to the ITU Radio Regulations
in 2003 that removed a treaty requirement for third-party messages, there is no
record of this change having been considered and the FCC¡¯s rules were never
conformed to the new provision. Being the only nation known to continue to require
a formal treaty for such purposes has resulted in no new such treaties for since
the treaty changed more than two decades ago. Thus ARRL asked the FCC to Implement
rules that are consistent with those internationally agreed to align with the rest of the world.
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Delete Amplifier Drive Limitation
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ARRL requested that the Commission act favorably on a pending
proposal to remove limits HF amplifier gain that add to Amateur equipment cost
and impede use of new efficient amplifier technology.
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Remove Non-current Personal Information in Amateur ULS records
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ARRL requested that the FCC complete a rule making in which it proposed that only
current licensee information to be visible in the public (ULS) database. Right
now, if an amateur changes their address to a Post Office Box to shield their
home address, the previous address remains visible. ARRL advocates for protecting the privacy of radio amateurs.
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Delete Obsolete Identification Requirement for Special Call Signs
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Users of special event call signs are required to identify
with the FCC-issued responsible call sign at least once each hour. This can be
confusing, especially on data and CW modes. ARRL proposed reliance on the web-based
database that clearly identifies each special event call sign and authorized period of use.
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Delete Obsolete Paper License Replacement Provision
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The FCC no longer mails physical copies of amateur radio
licenses, so ARRL suggested deleting the rule that provides for sending paper replacements as obsolete.
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The [PDF] generated a lot of interest among radio amateurs,
with hundreds of Amateurs submitting comments directly to the FCC as well as responding
to ARRL¡¯s request for suggestions.
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The FCC deadline for filing reply comments is April 28, 2025.
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It is hoped that the Commission will incorporate
worthy suggestions in a future Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) later this
year. At that time there will be a new opportunity for public comment on the specific
rules that the Commission proposes to delete or modify.
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Bob, N1KPR
