FCC Expands Communications Emergency for Gulf Coast

WASHINGTON, DC, Sep 25, 2002--The FCC has expanded a general communications emergency to include Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, which are threatened by Tropical Storm Isidore.

Invoking the authority of §97.401 of the FCC's rules and regulations, Technical and Public Safety Division Chief Joseph P. Casey of the Enforcement Bureau today issued a revised declaration that requires amateurs to refrain from using 3873 and 3965 kHz during hours of darkness and 7247 and 7285 kHz during hours of daylight.

All frequencies are to be protected plus or minus 3 kHz unless amateurs are taking part in the handling of emergency traffic. The FCC said the communications emergency is effective immediately and will remain in place until rescinded. The declaration could be in place for as long as 14 days, the FCC said.

Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, and Alabama SM Bill Cleveland, KR4TZ, requested that the FCC protect the net frequencies from interference in the event severe weather strikes.

After passing over the western tip of Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Isidore--now a tropical storm--is headed for the US Gulf Coast.

For additional information, see "Hurricane Watch Net, W4EHW, Reactivating".

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