UPDATE: 29 January 2003
Hello All,
I just discovered how to easily file comments on a docket with the FCC.
Click on this link: http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/ecfs/Upload/
Then select the bullet of interest. For instance, regarding Public Notice, FCC 02-322, released November 25, 2002, it is "Spectrum Policy Task Force Report" and then
fill in the blanks and enter your comments.
I made the following personal comments:
"In the Matter of ET Docket No. 02--135, I fully support the comments of the ARRL (THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR AMATEUR RADIO) dated January 27, 2003 regarding Public Notice, FCC 02-322, released November 25, 2002.
In addition, I wish to state that the Amateur Radio Service is not unlike other valuable National Resources in that is provides an important role in our society and should be safeguarded from any and all threats that would diminish its value to the nation."
The link below will allow you to read the comments filed on Docket 02-135, the
FCC does not make it easy to find this, to date they have posted 323 comments,
they are getting a lot of feedback on this one. There would seem to be a few days
behind in posting comments made.
http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/websql/prod/ecfs/comsrch_v2.hts?ws_mode=retrieve_list&id_proceeding=02-135
UPDATE: 28 January 2003
Hello All,
The ARRL has now submitted their comments to the FCC on the FCC Spectrum
Policy Task Force Report (ET Docket 02-135) released on November 15, 2002
which has a potentially huge impact on the Amateur Radio Service.
The current ARRL story "ARRL Calls Task Force Report "Basis for Future
Planning," Cautions Against "Rush to Judgment" (Jan 28, 2003) is at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/01/28/100/?nc=1
The ARRL response can be found at:
http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et02-135/arrl-comments.html
We the Amateur community have until February 10, 2003 to file comments with
the FCC, I encourage everyone to file comments using the FCC's Electronic
Comment Filing System (ECFS) at http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html.
Comments should include your full name, callsign, US Postal Service mailing
address, and the docket number, ET Docket 02-135
Below are the links to the final reports of the FCC Spectrum Policy Task Force -
Report of the Spectrum Rights and Responsibilities Working Group:
http://www.fcc.gov/sptf/files/SRRWGFinalReport.pdf
Report of the Spectrum Efficiency Working Group:
http://www.fcc.gov/sptf/files/SEWGFinalReport_1.pdf
It is the SEWG report that provides details into the so called "Interference Temperature". There is NO mention of the Amateur Radio Service made in either report.
Other documents can be listed at:
http://www.fcc.gov/sptf/files/
UPDATE: 8 December 2002
FCC seeks public comments on Spectrum Policy Task Force report: Public
comments are due January 9, 2003, on the recently released report of the
Spectrum Policy Task Force (ET Docket 02-135) http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2002/11/07/103/. Reply comments are due
February 10. The Task Force released its report to the FCC on November 15.
The FCC notes that the Spectrum Policy Task Force Report was drafted by
FCC staff and was neither voted upon nor approved by the Commission.
"Accordingly, neither the Report nor any of the recommendations contained
therein necessarily reflect the views of the Commission," the FCC added.
The text of the Report and other Task Force documents are available on the
Task Force Web sitehttp://www.fcc.gov/sptf/. Parties are encouraged to
file comments using the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS)
http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. Commenters should include full
name, US Postal Service mailing address, and the docket number, ET Docket
02-135.
11 November 2002
The "FCC Spectrum Policy Task Force Presents Recommendations" ,
although not providing any details, this document in my opinion is
the first step on the part of the FCC toward changing the entire
landscape of the Amateur Radio Service regarding our frequency
allocations.
In my opinion it puts the Amateur Radio Service on notice to USE or
LOOSE our frequency allocations as they currently exist, more than
likely it is already to late.
This first step on the part of the FCC opens to door in very broad
language to increased sharing of our frequency allocations, increased
levels of interference due to more sharing and relaxed RF power levels
of unlicensed devices.
We that part take in the Amateur Radio Service have what has become
very a valuable resource, "Prime Radio Spectrum Allocations". There
has been for a long time now, those with "Commercial" interests in
taking away some of our radio spectrum allocations.
This already occurred with 220-222Mhz and although the 220 Mhz ACSB
market has for the most part been a failure (look at all the new,
unused 220Mhz ACSB on the market, see eBay) in my opinion, I can see
the Amateur Radio Service easily loosing the 33cm (902-928Mhz) band
and the 23cm bands and higher allocations, in part or in whole.
The FCC Task Force mentions intentions of adopting a so called
"Interference temperature" to quantify and manage interference. This
up front assertion makes if pretty clear in my opinion that the Amateur
Radio Service is being looked at to take a beating in the form of
interference for the betterment of the consumer marketed devices that
would be the source of our interference woes. Already the Amateur Radio
Service has been subject to such on our UHF bands, in addition we
are now being subjected to new sources of such on our HF bands, such
as cable television modem repeaters in some parts of the country such
as in New Jeresey where the lower part of 40 meters has been trashed
when the local cable company has been testing them.
The FCC Spectrum Policy Task Force has drafted a very broad report
in a relatively short period of time that will in my opinion have
very broad and long lasting and possibly devasting effects on the
Amateur Radio Service.
To read ARRL coverage of this subject Click Here
To read the FCC Spectrum Policy Task Force Public Notice in Adobe .PDF
format Click Here
The Spectrum Policy Task Force Homepage
Remarks of Chairman Powell concerning the formation of the Spectrum
Policy Task Force:
"The government has an almost impossible task trying to keep pace with
the ever increasing demand for spectrum and continuing advances in
wireless technology and applications. In this fast-moving world, the
Commission cannot rely on outmoded procedures and policies. We must
establish new ways to support innovation and the efficient, flexible
use of spectrum."
