Responding to a petition by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which represents the interests of amateur radio operators, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed changes to it rules that would modify the existing arrangement for sharing spectrum use in the 60 meter band.
According to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NRPM) issued on May 4th, the Commission proposes to: 1) modify the use of five channels in the 60 meter band (5330.6-5406.4 kHz); 2) replace one designated channel with one that is less encumbered; 3) authorize three additional emission designators; and 4) increase the maximum authorized power within the band.
The proposed changes were prompted by a petition for rulemaking from the ARRL, which argued that the modified spectrum sharing arrangement would benefit both Federal agencies, which have primary access to the spectrum, and amateur radio operators, who were granted secondary access to the spectrum in 2003 to provide communications support in disaster-related situations.
