XPost: rec.radio.amateur.policy

KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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FCC to start looking at receiver specs

Posted: 05 Mar 2022 06:19 AM PST https://www.kb6nu.com/fcc-to-start-looking-at-receiver-specs/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email


As hams, we are aware—or should be aware—of the spectral purity requirements spelled out in the Part 97 rules (§ 97.307). The purpose of
these rules is to prevent unintentional interference. Well, as the recent brouhaha over the 5G rollout here in the United States has pointed out, its
not just about transmitters.

In a word, the airlines were upset about the 5G rollout, especially near airports, because they contended that 5G transmissions in the 3.7 to 3.98
GHz  band could possibly interfere with aircraft altimeters receiving
signals in the 4.2 to 4.4 GHz band. The FAA have said aircraft at 50 U.S. airports might possibly be vulnerable to this interference.

Theres a good explanation of this situation here, but the crux of the
matter is that the altimeter receivers werent designed with enough
filtering to reject the 5G signals. The airlines could replace those
altimeters with newer ones with better filtering, but thats expensive and
takes time. Hence, the conflict between the airlines and cell providers.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

So, in order to avoid this kind of thing from happening in the future, new
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is planning to launch a Notice of
Inquiry (NOI) that would try to determine what, if any, rules are needed
for radio receivers to ensure that services occupying adjoining frequency allocations dont interfere with one another. An Urgent Communications article reports that this NOI may get underway as early as April. The
article quotes Rosenworcel as saying, We face a hard truth. Greenfield spectrum—open and cleared for use—will not be as simple or easy to find.  We will have to invest in new technologies to promote efficiency and use a range of spectrum policy tools, including shared access, priority and preemption, lightweight leasing, and dynamic database coordination to
ensure access to our airwaves.

She also noted, This inquiry would ask how receiver improvements could
provide greater opportunities for access to spectrum. It would explore how these specifications could come in the form of incentives, guidelines, or regulatory requirements—in specific frequency bands or across all bands.
And it would seek comment on legal authority and market-based mechanisms
that could help create a more transparent and predictable radiofrequency environment for all spectrum users—new and old.

So, while the current focus is on the 5G/FAA situation, be aware that this
will affect amateur radio sometime in the future.



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Ham Radio Blog.

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