SB QST @ ARL $ARLB043
ARLB043 2300 MHz comments sought

ZCZC AG08
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 43  ARLB043
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  May 11, 1994
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB043
ARLB043 2300 MHz comments sought

2300 MHz comments sought

The FCC has issued a Notice of Inquiry on reallocation of spectrum
from federal government use (in ET Docket 94-32).  50 MHz of
spectrum would be transferred to private sector use, possibly as
early as this summer.  The comment deadline is June 15, 1994.

The reallocation is called for under the Omnibus Reconciliation Act
of 1993, which requires the Department of Commerce to identify 200
MHz of spectrum below 5 GHz to be reallocated within the next 15
years.

The spectrum identified for immediate reallocation is at 2390 to
2400 MHz, 2402 to 2417 MHz, and 4660 to 4685 MHz.  Amateurs share
the first two ranges.  The Commission said that ''there are a number
of factors associated with existing allocations of the bands that
will affect their potential for private sector use.''

The FCC specifically asked for input on whether the proposed
reallocations would adversely affect amateur operations, especially
amateur satellites.  The Commission said that ''The Department of
Commerce expects that the amateur service community can satisfy the
majority of its spectrum requirements in the remaining 35 MHz (left
after the proposed reallocation).  It also believes that current use
of the 13 cm band by amateur stations is light compared to use of
bands lower in the spectrum, but notes that use may increase for
amateur-satellite, high-speed computer data links, amateur TV, and
other wide-band applications.

''The Department of Commerce states that it excluded the 2400-2402
MHz band from consideration for reallocation in order to protect
existing amateur satellite operations.''
NNNN
/EX