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US Citizens urged to support FCC RM-11708

8K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  SVAuspicious 
#1 ·
The underlying issue is the migration from symbol rate (how much data is moved) to bandwidth (how much frequency space is used). Most of the world has long since moved to frequency management by bandwidth. The United States lags behind in this regard. Both Pactor 3 (P3) and Pactor 4 (P4) take up the same bandwidth as a conventional SSB voice link. P4 uses that space more efficiently, transferring data at over twice the rate of P4.

Sailmail has updated their systems on the marine bands to P4. Many Winlnk stations outside the United States have as well. Only the US continues to limit progress by using the archaic restriction of symbol rate.

Approval of this proposed rulemaking will make Pactor 4 available to cruisers in the US, and encourage continued development of new and faster data protocols and digital voice on the ham bands.

I strongly encourage US citizens to follow the links below to support RM-11708.

A sample statement of support, provided by Phil Sherrod W4PHS, follows the instructions.
W4PHS said:
Time is running out for comments supporting RM-11708 which would remove the
symbol rate limitation from FCC rules and allow hams to use Pactor 4 modems
in the USA. If the proposed rule change fails this time, it will be years
before we have another chance.

It is very easy to submit a comment. You don't have to say much other than
you think it's a good idea, and you support it.

Here are the steps to submit a comment.

1. Go to ECFS Home Page

2. Select "Submit a Filing (Express)" from the list in the upper left corner
of the screen.

3. In the topmost paragraph of the next screen, click "click here to
manually enter your docket number".

4. Enter RM-11708 as the "Proceeding Number". Enter your name, address, and
type your comments in the bottom field.

5. Click "Continue", and then click the "Confirm" button on the summary page
it will display.

6. If everything goes properly, it will give you a submission confirmation
number.

My comments are attached. Please do not copy what I said, but please make
the points:

1. The proposed change does not alter the bandwidth limits or the
frequencies available for digital use, so no new frequency space is being
used. It has no negative impact on any hams.

2. The use of Pactor 4 simply makes the use of existing bandwidth more
efficient, so additional traffic can be passed without allocating new
frequencies.

Phil
W4PHS

--- My comment ---

I strongly SUPPORT the proposal to remove the symbol rate limitation from
digital modes. This is an obsolete restriction that is holding back
progress on efficient use of digital communication on the ham bands.

The proposal has no negative impact on ham radio use. It does not increase
the bandwidth allowed for digital signals, and it does not alter the
frequency allocations allowed for digital transmissions. Acceptance of the
proposed rule change will have no negative impact on any ham.

The effect of the proposed rule change will allow more efficient use of the
available bandwidth. Simply put, it will allow more traffic to be passed
through the same bandwidth.

Please accept the proposed rule change and allow US hams to benefit from
modern digital modes being used regularly in virtually all other countries.

Thank you for your consideration,
Phil Sherrod, W4PHS
sail fast and eat well, dave KO4MI
Dave Skolnick S/V Auspicious
SSCA Board of Directors, Immediate Past President
 
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#3 ·
the FCC is getting too revenue driven. I work in theatre. A couple of years ago they made us abandon 900mhz and go down to 500 and 600 MHz for things like wireless microphones. This was supposedly done for safety as the police and fire wanted the 900mhz frequencies.

Now they are about to auction off the 600mhz frequencies and force theatrical down into just the 500mhz area. I know a lot of the Casinos here in AC spent a fortune going to 600.. now in less than 3 years they are going to have to jump down to 500mhz?
 
#8 ·
Just starting out and gave sail mail my $250. Intend to use my 4 for gribs and nice to have another way to yell for help. Hear stories sometime sat phone works sometimes not. Sometimes ssb works sometimes not. Be good to have both. Also cruising nets are fun.
 
#12 ·
Dave:
Like many others I can not support this technology unless and until SCS is required to license their technology at a reasonable rate and Pactor 4 modems become $30 like every other modem in the world. I have already had to drop $1200 for their Pactor 3 modem, I have no desire to do it again.
Sorry.
Roger
 
#13 ·
Like many others I can not support this technology unless and until SCS is required to license their technology at a reasonable rate and Pactor 4 modems become $30 like every other modem in the world. I have already had to drop $1200 for their Pactor 3 modem, I have no desire to do it again.
No need to apologize Roger. You are entitled to your opinion.

Here is mine.

Phone modems are cheap because the market is huge and economies of scale kick in.

SCS took a risk and their investors covered a lot of costs for a long time to develop technology from which we benefit. The market for radio modems is pretty small. Don't they deserve to recover their costs and some margin for their risk?

It is worth reflecting on the fact that SCS has made sure that all their products are backwards compatible so P1, P2, and P3 are all supported by the newest hardware. You don't HAVE to replace your existing P3 modem. It will continue to work with Winlink and Sailmail. How does the opportunity for others to move more data faster in the same bandwidth hurt you at all? I'd argue it HELPS you because those that choose to buy P4 modems will get their traffic through more quickly and give you more access.

dave
 
#14 · (Edited)
I have no problem with faster modems, etc, that's a good thing.

I don't think amateurs would have a problem with the mail programs if users were better operators. The problems happen because people tap on the button to "get their email" without even checking the frequency to see if anybody else is using it, as if it were the same as having a high speed internet connection back at home. Some of these users end up "checking email" many times a day, over and over, stomping on other people's conversations, etc, it's no wonder that other amateur users get angry about it. You have to wonder if a lot of the people "checking their email" even know that there are other people using the frequencies, if they even listen to the band to see if it is clear, or have any idea that they are being so rude to others.

If people were using the mail systems because they are amateur radio operators first, using the Pactor modems and email system as an interesting mode, that would be one thing. But now there are a pile of people who don't give a rat's ass about amateur radio who get their license just to have "free email", and that's the problem. It isn't the fact that they are using it for email, it's that they don't care about the things that the other users on the amateur bands care about such as sharing frequencies and being good operators. It's like a pile of people crashed an astronomy convention for the free food.
 
#16 ·
But now there are a pile of people who don't give a rat's ass about amateur radio who get their license just to have "free email"...
I understand your point, and there's a part of me that agrees. But then there's another part of me that says, everyone of us who has ever gotten into amateur radio did so--at least at first--for some specific reason of our own. Whether it was to learn about electronics, or for a specific communication desire, or whatever else, we all start out with our own reason, and probably don't "give a rat's ass" about any of the other stuff that some amateurs think is the most important part of being a ham. In that sense, this new "pile of people" really isn't any different from every other ham out there.

I think a lot of those people crashing the astronomy convention, after getting their free food, will take a look around and realize that something kind of cool is going on.
 
#17 ·
Like with so many other things as one's embarks on the learning curve to be a competent cruiser I didn't know a "rat's ass" about ssb. I wanted it not for email but for weather and another backup to the epirb.
I think it is the obligation of who ever teaches you how to use the d-mn thing the proper etiquette. I'm learning from a ham who is in the next slip and various experienced cruisers. I was taught best way to learn is
see one
do one
teach one
If the seeing and doing is under the supervision of a good operator you will be a polite good operator.
 
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