Advocacy

Spectrum Advocacy

 

Posted 10/26/2020  Current proposed changes 

FCC NPRM MD Docket No. 20-270 changing FCC fee structure, including Amateur Radio. $50 for new licenses and renewals and Vanity License Applications

The proper method of contacting the FCC on this “FEE issue” is to respond with comments to MD Docket 20-270

Here is the link
 
This information is thanks to Stephanie WX3K
 
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Posted 10/2019

The current band under consideration for elimination to radio amateurs

use is 3.5 GHz      reference  NPRM WT 19-348 when you write

 

To protect our use of the 3.5 GHz band it would be a good idea to write letters.

It's best to do this within the next week.

We currently have over 25 members with 3.5 GHz capability.

 

The following  may give you some ideas for your own customized letter

 

Adding a personal line at the beginning of the letter helps the reader know it’s not just a form letter.

 

 I am FCC licensed amateur radio operator (insert call sign) and I have been an active radio communicator on 3GHz for X years. “ add your type of license eg Amateur Extra. Perhaps an anecdote about you uW activity.

 

                                                              OR

 

The members of the Mount Airy VHF Radio Club* are greatly concerned by a current proposal to remove amateur radio privileges from the 3.1-3.55 GHz frequencies and the potential future loss of the 2.0 GHz band.

 

                                                    Main Body

 

In the current NPR** from the FCC, numbered FCC-CIRC1912-03, it states: "we propose to remove the existing nonfederal secondary radiolocation and amateur allocations in the 3.3-3.55 GHz band and to relocate incumbent non-federal operations out of the band, in order to prepare the band for possible future shared use between commercial wireless services and federal incumbents."

 

Members of this club have been pioneers in communication at these frequencies. By building and using radio gear, digital communications software, and antennas for use at these frequencies, we have contributed to the state of the art. Amateur radio operators have used a band allocation centering at 3.456GHz and 2.304 GHz for decades. We have been active amateur operators using these frequencies for maintaining communication with other amateur operators using our FCC issued licenses. We have recently added additional capabilities for use of this frequency.

 

For terrestrial radio communication, amateurs have been active on a few hundred kilohertz at 3.456 GHz. By international agreement, amateur radio operators have been using a few hundred kilohertz at 3.400 GHz for successful moonbounce communication. We recognize the demands for band allocation to commercial communication. Please have the FCC reserve these slices of frequency for continued amateur radio use as the amateur radio service supports emergency communication in times of disaster. Thank you.

*Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club website: www.packratvhf.com

**Facilitating Shared Use in the 3.1-3.55 GHz Band

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - WT Docket No. 19-348

 

              Thanks to Rick, k1DS for the previous text suggestions 

                                           

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General useful information

Addresses for the ARRL, the FCC, and your elected Federal Congress

 

ARRL Headquarters

Dan Henderson N1ND

225 Main Street

Newington. CT 06111

 

Federal Communications Commission

Marlene H Dortch

Office of the Secretary, Room TW-B204

445 12th Street SW

Washington, DC 20554

 

If you rather use the FCC Web site to file your comments

on the ECFS (electronic comment filing system)

use  https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings

 

 

To find you Federal Representative in Congress use Google or

use this link    Representatives | house.gov

You may have to give your ZIP code or even your full address to get the right representative

 

 

 

To find you Federal Senator in Congress use Google or

use this link    U.S. Senate: Senators

You will have to enter your state

 

 

If you feel the NTIA ( the FCC equivalent for Government spectrum users)

needs to hear from you. Since they share several of their frequencies with radio amateurs

( we are secondary users) they sometimes make good allies.

This contact must be used with care - do not contact them unless you have a strong reason to believe 

They have a vested interest in agreeing with our continued usage.