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70 cm amateur band in USA threatened
The 70cm Amateur Radio band (440MHz) in the USA is under attack by commercial interests. The ARRL has advised U.S. radio amateurs that the U.S. Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) has asked the FCC to immediately reallocate 420 to 430 MHz and 440 to 450 MHz from the U.S. federal government to the Private Mobile Radio Service (PMRS) on a primary basis. Amateur Radio in the USA now enjoys the use of 420 to 450 MHz on a secondary basis, and the 430 to 440 MHz segment is an international allocation. The 70-cm band is the second most popular of the amateur radio service's VHF/UHF allocations, with substantial FM repeater and other operation in the 440 to 450 MHz segment and a variety of uses in the 420 to 430 MHz segment. RAC is not aware of any similar initiative in Canada. Canadian radio amateurs use 430 to 450 MHz. on a secondary basis. The 420 to 430 MHz. band is not available to Canadian amateurs; it was reassigned to the Mobile (primary) and Fixed (secondary) services several years ago. The FCC has called for comments by 1 June, 1998, on the LCMM's petition for rule making, designated RM 9267. The rule making is currently a domestic U.S. issue, but there could be international consequences if approved in whole or in part. Canadian amateurs should not take action at this time. RAC is monitoring the situation and consulting with the ARRL and IARU. RAC will advise of any action needed from the Canadian amateur radio community to assist these sister organizations in opposing the LMCC's initiative. In addition, RAC will raise the matter with Industry Canada at the 25 May CARAB meeting. RAC will provide late-breaking information via the RAC web site and RAC Bulletins. Full reports will be included in The Canadian Amateur. Stay tuned. Jim Dean, VE3IQ E-mail: igdean@igs.net
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