The FCC has adopted new rules that will give amateur radio operators access to additional spectrum.
In a Report and Order issued in late March, the FCC took steps to implement a number of radio frequency allocation decisions made by the World Radiocommunications Conference to promote the advancement of new and expanded radio services. The changes include allocating the 472-479 kHz band to the amateur service on a secondary basis, as well as permitting amateur service use of the 135.7-137.8 kHz band.
The ARRL notes that it had been working for years to convince the FCC to allow amateur access to spectrum bands below the standard broadcast band, despite concerns about possible interference to power line carrier (PLC) systems used to manage the power grid. In its decision to allocate the bands for amateur radio use, the FCC notes that the rules it has adopted for amateur operations should allow for co-existence with PLC systems with minimal risk of interference.
Read the FCC’s Report and Order authorizing expanded amateur radio access.
