The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has invited comments on a Petition for Rule Making (RM-11769) to designate Morse Code Amateur Radio band segments more broadly as “symbol communication” subbands. James Whedbee, an amateur radio operator from Gladstone, Missouri, submitted the petition on May 2, 2016.
Whedbee’s petition asks the FCC to modify Part 97 of the Commission’s rules to eliminate exclusively Morse Code subbands (known as CW bands, for Continuous Wave transmission) and make them available to narrowband emission modes. His proposed scheme would split the modes into three categories: “symbol communication mode” for Morse Code, digital, and other emission modes that reproduce a discrete symbol on the receiving end; “voice mode;” and “image mode.”
He contends that Morse Code subbands are part of an outdated policy that underutilizes the bands. The petition cites today’s significant reduction in CW usage and Morse Code’s inefficient use of the spectrum, as compared to efficient digital emissions from modern technology. He writes, “Nostalgia for retention of Morse Code telegraphy-only subbands is also an insufficient reason to avoid moving forward to elimination of such subbands.”
RM-11769 is posted online, with comments open for 30 days.
Leave it alone or learn the code. You’ll have our forefathers rolling in their graves.
Sincerely,
David Ayer, BSEE
Extra: N6WJD
Radiotelegraph: T000000030
Radiotelephone: PG00045069
Marine: MP00032062
GMRS: WQWA411
GMDSS: DB00001061
Ship Radar
The other thing that has been forgotten is that the world does not end at the US borders/coastline. As far as I know no one in Europe has suggested this, any changes to the sub bands would have to be negotiated world wide.
Cheers Tim Hague MIET, M0AFJ
Regarding Proceeding Number RM-11769 by James Edwin Whedbee entitled:
Petition for Rulemaking Eliminating Exclusive CW Subbands(11):
CW is one of the simplest and most economical means of transmitting radio signals.
Other means of radio communication involve higher technologies (A.M., SSB, RTTY, etc. With higher technologies come higher equipment costs which then
disenfranchises those who cannot afford it. This usually means the young beginners in radio communication.
CW has the most narrow bandwidth of any radio signal. This may contribute to its appearance of inactivity.
My first experience with amateur radio involved a two-tube transmitter kit, a 40 meter dipole and a third-hand, all-band receiver. The cost of the transmitter was $15.00.
Eliminating CW would cut off one more avenue for those who are interested in radio.
Sincerely,
Ronald W. Parker, MSEE, P.E.
Amateur Radio License Call Sign KD1L
Radiotelegraph Operator License T1GB059052
General Radiotelephone Operator License PG-1-7160
Author: “Circuits I Have Known”