[CW] FCC Requests Comments on CW Allocation at 5 MHz

[Dave Bowker]

As many of you probably know, the ARRL and FCC are proposing to allocate a
segment of spectrum in the 5 MHz region on a secondary basis for the amateur
service.  The FCC is seeking comments to NPRM ET02-98 prior to their final
decision and rule making.  Of particular importance to CW enthusiasts, the
FCC is specifically soliciting comments as to whether or not a sub-band
should be allocated for narrow-band modes, such as CW/RTTY/other digital
modes, within the proposed 150 kHz allocation at 60M.

Of particular interest is the FCC's request for comments contained in
paragraph 40, which reads:

"The 5000 kHz Petition does not discuss sub-banding and ARRL's suggested
rules would allow all emission types to use the entire band. [94] We note
that several commenters suggest that sub-banding would be useful.  We
further note that Section 97.305 of our Rules segregates digital modes from
other amateur station emission modes in the 3500 kHz and 7000 kHz bands to
protect narrow-band emissions like data from wider emissions like
single-side band voice. [95] We request comment on whether sub-banding is
necessary and/or appropriate for the 5000 kHz band as well."

ET02-98 may be viewed at:  http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et02-98/.

I believe this is an excellent opportunity for CW enthusiasts to make their
recommendations to the FCC for a small piece of the allocation to be
dedicated to narrow-band modes. If you want to comment on the FCC's NPRM, go
to this site, enter only 02-98 in Box 1, fill out the other non-optional
boxes and submit a brief comment in the bottom box or attach your file
(Adobe, Lotus, Word, WordPerfect, etc) in the box above that:

http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi

Be sure to confirm your submission on the page that appears after you
submit.  When you do everything correctly, you should see a page with your
name and a confirmation number.

73, Dave, K1FK
Fort Kent, ME