The ARRL Letter Vol. 12, No. 3 February 10, 1993 League Asks for New HF Digital Rules The ARRL, acting on recommendations of its volunteer Digital Committee, has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for changes in the amateur rules regarding digital communications below 30 MHz. On February 1, 1993, the League filed a petition for rule making with the FCC to permit, under certain conditions, automatic control of RTTY and data communications in certain portions of the amateur bands below 30 MHz (to permit automatically controlled data communications, including third- party messages, in specific subbands). In conjunction with the filing, the League also was granted a further extension of its Special Temporary Authorization for such communications by designated stations (which was scheduled to expire February 3) for the duration of the rule making proceedings. In its filing of more than 30 pages the League recounted the history of amateur digital communications, saying that despite problems with implementing automatic digital forwarding in the HF bands there are "good and sufficient reasons why automatically controlled data communications at HF should be authorized. "Development of new software and hardware to refine the technology and further new types of data communications and data networks requires that at least some amateur stations in a network be permitted to operate under automatic control in the HF amteur bands," the League said. Its goal in submitting the petition, the League said, is "to encourage experimentation and the development and refinement of (RTTY and data communications); to adapt complex digital technologies to practical use; and to permit the implementation in the Amateur Radio service of more efficient emergency and public service communications technologies." The League said the FCC has been a "partner" in an ongoing process of improving digital communications modes and protocols. "The results of these efforts have often flowed to licensees in other radio services," the League said, "which have used amateur- developed equipment and communications protocols commercially." Noting that automatic control of data communications above 50 MHz had been authorized since 1985 -- at the League's request -- and that the limited STA for such below 30 MHz had been in existence since 1987, the League said that legitimate concerns about HF data autoforwarding (notably interference to amateurs on other modes) had resulted in the limitations inherent in the STA, which nevertheless had fostered real-world experience leading to improvements in digital modes. The FCC agreed with the League in 1987 that the best approach to developing the new modes was through allowing special authorization for a small group of enthusiasts to exercise automatic control. The STA "has revealed both the strengths and shortcomings of data protocols, modes, and utility of certain data communications at HF," the League said in its February 1 petition. In late 1989, after two years of experience with the STA, the League filed a petition for rulemaking (RM-7248) that would have limited automatically controlled data stations to certain HF subbands, based on an IARU Region 2 HF band plan in effect at that time. The petition was withdrawn when it became apparent that those IARU subbands were unacceptable to many American amateurs. Following the withdrawal of RM-7248, the League continued to study the matter, through committees of interested amateurs, by drawing on the experience of the STA participants, and through a survey published in *QST*, which produced more than 500 responses. The survey indicated, in particular, significant opposition to allowing automatically controlled data stations *random* use of frequencies within the HF bands. By decade's end it also was becoming clear that no consensus existed on exactly what kind of automatic control was appropriate. In the summer of 1992 a plan to allow automatically controlled digital stations to communicate *not between themselves* but rather only with stations under local or remote control was aired in the amateur community. This plan was criticized as unworkable and found unacceptable by some already participating in HF packet networks. Then, in September of 1992, the member societies of IARU Region 2 agreed on a new band plan to include segments for automatically controlled HF data communications, specifying subbands significantly different from the Region 2 plan in effect when the League announced its earlier RM-7248 plan. This new IARU band plan recognized the particular situation on the HF bands that required an approach different from that on the bands above 50 MHz. In particular, the need for users of other modes to be accommodated was recognized. In order for the various modes to co-exist, the League now has said in its petition, "If messages are to be passed between amateur stations without any operator intervention and no operator present at either station, it will have to be done on frequencies where amateurs expect such operation." While the amateur service has greatly benefitted from the automatic control STA, it is apparent that the amateur community favors the use of automatically controlled data stations on HF *only under certain circumstances*, the League said. That is, within recognized, mandatory subbands. As a result, the League is recommending a dual plan, one part to apply to automatically controlled stations, the other to data stations under local or remote control: (1) Consistent with the frequency privileges and other operating limitations applicable to the license class of the operator, any amateur station may be operated under automatic control using any accepted protocol for data transmissions within the frequency segments specified. Such stations should be equipped with means to limit transmissions to no more than five minutes in the event of an equipment malfunction or interruption of contact with another station. Third party communications may be transmitted under automatic control using any authorized emission code set forth in part 97.309(a), provided that the retransmitted messages must originate at a station that is being locally or remotely controlled. (2) HF data operation should be permitted outside those specified subbands as per current rules, but only under local (or remote) control. This arrangement would require that a licensee confine automatically controlled station functions to the specified subband, where there is less likelihood of unexpected interference with other amateur communications using incompatible modes. Data communications under local control, where the operator would ascertain that no interference is likely to ongoing communications before transmitting, and would monitor the progress of communications, could be conducted, consistent with voluntary bandplans, anywhere the present rules permit such emissions. Within the subbands, an automatically controlled station would be required to have an appropriate provision or mechanism to discontinue operation quickly in the event of malfunction or loss of contact with another station, as current rules for automatic control now require. "Cooperative use of frequencies and the exercise of station control demand no less," the League said. As for the proposed HF subbands themselves, the League said that since they would be consistent worldwide and are small enough to minimize displacement of other established modes, it is unlikely that they would become obsolete in the near future. On the other hand, having established subbands for automatically controlled HF data communications would encourage continued devevelopment of systems and spur more amateurs to utilize digital modes of operation, the League said. As for enforcement issues, one of the objections to the 1987 proposal in RM-7248 was the potential for abuses related to third-party traffic. The League said there appears to have been no pattern of such abuses, and they are no more likely when a station is under automatic control than when two stations are operating under local control. There also has been no pattern of such abuses resulting from the HF STA operations or from automatic operations already being conducted above 50 MHz. Here is the League's proposed wording of the new rules: Section 97.109 Station Control. (d) When a station is being automatically controlled, the control operator need not be at the control point. Only stations transmitting RTTY or data emissions, and stations specifically designated elsewhere in this Part, may be automatically controlled. Automatic control must cease upon notification by an EIC that the station is transmitting improperly or causing harmful interference to other stations. Automatic control must not be resumed without prior approval of the EIC. RTTY and data stations operating under automatic control on frequencies below 50 MHz must use a digital code permitted in 97.309(a) of these Rules, and must incorporate provisions for discontinuing transmitter operation in the event of malfunction, or interruption of communications with another station. (1) Stations transmitting RTTY or data may be operated under automatic control in the 6 meter and shorter wavelength bands, and in the following segments of the 10 meter and longer wavelength bands: 28.120-28.189 MHz; 24.925-24.930 MHz; 21.090- 21.100 MHz; 18.105-18.110 MHz; 14.095-14.0995 MHz; 14.1005-14.112 MHz; 10.140-10.150 MHz; 7.100-7.105 MHz; or 3.620-3.635 MHz. (e) Stations authorized by these rules to transmit RTTY or data communications under automatic control may transmit third party communications. Any retransmitted messages on behalf of any third party must originate at a station that is under local or remote control. Senate Bill Includes Protections for Amateurs *Hams Would be Part of Spectrum Use Advisory Panel* A telecommunications bill to free up government spectrum for commercial use, introduced into the new U.S. Congress, contains important protections for radio amateurs. The bill, S. 335, is a revised version of S. 218, which was not acted upon in the last Congress. During the last, 102nd, Congress, the ARRL suggested six possible amendments to S. 218 to mitigate the effect of releasing for private use government frequencies, some of which radio amateurs occupy on a shared, secondary, non-interference basis. Five of these six proposed amendments were incorporated into S. 335. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) introduced S. 335, "The Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1993," on February 4, saying: "Mr. President, I rise today to join with Senator Stevens [R-AK] in introducing the 'Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1993.' This legislation is essential to the promotion of the U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. It is my hope that this legislation can be passed quickly this year. "This bill will transfer 200 megahertz of spectrum from the control of the federal government to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make available for new technologies. The bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to consult with the Department of Defense, other government users, and the private sector to determine which frequencies are most suitable to be transferred. "Senator Stevens and I have incorporated some changes to accommodate concerns of the amateur radio industry. I am happy to include these changes in order to protect the rights of amateur radio users to their spectrum." The changes made as a result of the ARRL initiative are as follows: 1. The bill makes a "finding" that "a reassignment of federal government frequencies can be accomplished without adverse impact on Amateur Radio licensees that currently share allocations with federal government stations." 2. In determining whether a frequency reallocation is feasible, the Secretary of Commerce shall "seek to avoid excessive disruption of existing use of Federal Government frequencies by amateur radio licensees." 3. One basis to be used in determining whether commercial use of a frequency is feasible is to be "the extent to which commercial users can share the frequency with amateur radio licensees." 4. The advisory committee convened to review and advise upon the Secretary's report shall include representatives of "other users of the electromagnetic spectrum, including radio and television broadcast licensees, State and local public safety agencies, *amateur radio licensees*, and the aviation industry." 5. The President may, on certain grounds, substitute alternative frequencies or bands for those chosen. Among the grounds on which he may act is "The reassignment will disrupt the existing use of a Federal Government band of frequencies by amateur radio licensees." 6. Competitive bidding authority given the FCC under this Act "shall not extend to ... amateur operator services...." "These changes go a long way toward addressing amateurs' concerns about this legislation, and clearly establish that our needs must be considered as the bill proceeds through the Congress," ARRL Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ said. On February 4, the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance approved its version of the bill, H.R. 707. While similar in most respects to S. 335, the House bill does not contain protective language for amateurs. It will still be some time before the bill comes before the full House. An ARRL effort to introduce protections for amateurs similar to that in the Senate bill have not yet borne fruit in the House, ARRL Washington Coordinator Perry Williams, W1UED, said. HAROLD H. BEVERAGE IS DEAD AT AGE 99 Harold H. Beverage, ex-W2BML, died January 27 in Stony Brook, New York. He was 99 years old. Although not an active ham since the 1920s, his name is immortalized as the inventor of the Beverage receiving antenna (or, as he originally called it, the "Wave Antenna"). It was developed in 1918 to enhance communications between the US and Europe during the First World War, and was described in *QST* in November, 1922. Beverage said in 1980 that he considered his two greatest inventions (he received more than 40 patents) the Wave Antenna and diversity reception. A biography of Beverage, *Genius at Riverhead*, was written by Alberta I. Wallen and published by the North Haven (Maine) Historical Society in 1988. Beverage was recognized with an obituary in the February 2 New York Times. The American Institute of Electrical Engineers awarded Beverage its Lamme Gold Medal in 1957, the *Times* said, and cited him "for his pioneering and outstanding achievements in the conception and application of principles basic to progress in national and worldwide radio communications." DXCC LOOKS TO FUTURE Field checking of DXCC endorsements (currently only *initial* DXCC applications may be checked in the field), contingent on the continued reduction in the DXCC backlog at Headquarters, is projected for sometime in 1994. In the three month period November 1992-January 1993 the DXCC backlog was reduced by one third. Sometime in 1993 the DXCC Branch expects to authorize field checking of *all new* DXCC applications (currently only *initial* applications are eligible for field checking. Finally, in-person checking of DXCC QSLs both at Headquarters in Newington and at conventions and hamfests now is limited to 110 cards. This change is in fairness to other applicants waiting for their cards to be processed. In other news, the DX Advisory Committee has voted 10-6 to recommend deletion of Abu Ail from the ARRL DXCC Countries List, effective March 31, 1991, the date that the Red Sea Islands Company resigned from management of the lighthouses on some of the islands. Since Yemen now appears to administer the islands, they no longer meet the DXCC rules "separation from land" requirement. And the DXAC is asking for input from DXers on a suggested DXCC rules change regarding QSLing practices. Interested parties are invited to submit, to ARRL HQ, examples of "poor QSLing practices" and suggested changes in the rules, by August 31, 1993. SCHOENBOHM RECEIVES SENTENCE Herbert L. Schoenbohm, KV4FZ, has been sentenced to two months in jail, to two years probation, and fined $5,000 on one criminal count involving long-distance telephone use. U.S. District Judge Anna E. Thompson handed down the sentence on December 30, 1992. Schoenbohm had earlier been found guilty of one count of "fraudulent use of [a] counterfeit access device." Judge Thompson suspended the jail sentence and placed Schoenbohm on house arrest for two months, beginning January 11, 1993. PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES INTERIM FCC CHAIRMAN President Clinton has named James Quello, a 19-year member of the Federal Communications Commission, to head the agency on an interim basis until a permanent chairman is found. Quello, a Democrat, has served longer than anyone currently on the five- member commission. His rise to acting chairman, announced February 5, fills the vacancy created when Chairman Alfred E. Sikes resigned January 19. Quello was first nominated to the Commission by President Nixon and sworn in on April 30, 1974. He was reappointed by President Reagan in 1981 and again in 1984 for a third term. Quello was reappointed by President Bush in 1991. His term ends June 30, 1996. Besides finding a new chairman, Clinton also must fill the FCC seat occupied by Republican appointee Sherrie Marshall, whose term expired last June. She has continued to serve pending reappointment or replacement but, according to the Associated Press, has begun job hunting and is starting to recuse herself from some FCC decisions that could affect potential employers. FCC commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate to staggered five-year terms. No more than three commissioners can be from the same party. Other commission members are Andrew Barrett, a Republican, whose term expires in 1995, and Ervin Duggan, a Democrat, whose term ends in 1994. *eof