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KP4IG > SAT 09.05.04 06:05l 60 Lines 3088 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-130.02
Read: GUEST
Subj: SDR and Spectrum Use Comments filed with FCC
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<ON0AR<WB0TAX<KP4IG
Sent: 040509/0502Z @:KP4IG.#JD.PR.USA.NA #:9776 WFBB7.00h $:ANS-130.02
From: KP4IG@KP4IG.#JD.PR.USA.NA
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 130.02 From AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD. May 9, 2004
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-130.02
Dr. Perry I. Klein, W3PK, AMSAT Vice President, Government Liaison, reports
that comments to the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rule Making on the feasibility
of allowing unlicensed devices to operate at higher powers than is currently
authorized under Part 15 rules, in "rural areas" operating at 2400 - 2450
MHz, 5725 - 5875 MHz and 24.0 - 24.25 GHz. Also included in this NPRM is
the issue of the potential misuse of high speed Digital to Analog Converters
(DACs) and Software Defined Radios (SDR).
Regarding an increase in authorized power for Part 15 devices, AMSAT noted
that 2400 - 2450 MHz, 5725 - 5875 MHz and 24.0 - 24.25 GHz are also
available for use by the Amateur-satellite Service. Part 15 devices,
notably wireless LANs, already represent a significant source of
interference to amateurs attempting to use satellite downlinks at 2401 MHz.
In some areas, the interference is so severe as to preclude operation
altogether. AMSAT believes that the segment 2400 - 2417 MHz which is
allocated to the Amateur Service on a Primary basis should be afforded
protection from higher power Part 15 devices.
Also included in this NPRM is the issue of the potential misuse of high
speed DACs and SDRs. The proposed rule-change directly affects
all radio amateurs, including those who will be using Amateur Radio
satellites in the future. One problem is that limiting the transmission
ability to amateur bands, prevents HF software defined radios from being
used as wideband IFs in conjunction with transverters to access the
microwave bands. Such transverters are frequently used in connection with
both terrestrial and satellite applications for reception and transmission
on various microwave bands. A rule such as that proposed by the Commission
will, in our opinion, severely inhibit development and introduction of
devices which might otherwise prove beneficial to radio amateurs and the
general public.
AMSAT contends that a better way to deal with infractions committed by those
misusing such high speed DACs, or any other transmitting device, would be on
an individual basis, rather that penalizing everyone merely to head off
infractions which can only be speculated on at this time. AMSAT urges that
the Commission not impose any restrictions on the development and marketing
of high speed DACs or require that hardware devices to prevent transmission
outside amateur bands, be required to be installed in software defined
radios.
The full text of AMSAT's comments can be found at
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/amsat-na/filings/et-03-108-comments.pdf
Perry noted that a lot of research and hard work went into getting these
comments filed with the FCC in a timely manner. Ray Soifer, W2RS and Bill
Tynan, W5XO were instrumental in helping pull these comments together along
with contributions from other AMSAT Board Members and Officers.
[ANS thanks Perry, W3PK for the above information]
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