Cooperation, not Contention, the Best Approach at 2390-2395 MHz, ARRL Says

NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 2, 2003--The ARRL has told the FCC that it can support Amateur Radio sharing of 2390 to 2395 MHz on a co-primary basis with flight test telemetry stations. The Amateur Service has 2390 to 2400 MHz on a primary basis. Earlier this year, in a Fourth Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in ET Docket 00-258, the FCC proposed permitting federal government aeronautical mobile and non-government aeronautical flight test telemetry to operate in the first 5 megahertz of the band. In reply comments in the proceeding filed December 1, the League told the FCC that it's agreed in principle with the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC) to develop coordination procedures.

"ARRL believes and continues to believe that this will result in a harmonious arrangement that will not significantly disrupt ongoing and developing amateur operations," the League's reply comments said. The allocation shift is part of the FCC's efforts to accommodate users displaced from other bands reallocated for Advanced Wireless Systems. AFTRCC initially had called on the FCC to preclude "any new amateur use" of the 2390 to 2395 MHz segment and grandfather any existing usage on a secondary basis. At the time it commented, however, AFTRCC was acting on the presumption that amateur use consisted only of ATV. The ARRL noted that amateurs also are developing wideband data systems for the spectrum.

In its comments filed November 3, the ARRL expressed confidence that the co-primary allocations envisioned for 2390-2395 MHz will, in the end, prove compatible, provided the FCC affirm the need for cooperative frequency coordination. The ARRL reiterated that position in this week's reply comments. "The need for active frequency coordination is especially compelling with respect to non-government flight test telemetry," the League said.

Amateur Radio can accommodate both government aeronautical mobile operations and flight test telemetry without substantially compromising the viability of the 2390-2400 MHz band for amateur use, the ARRL said in its reply comments. The League asserted, however, that 2395 to 2400 MHz "must remain an exclusive amateur primary allocation.

"ARRL looks forward to finalizing with AFTRCC a cooperative, compatible sharing plan that allows co-primary amateur and flight test operations in the 2390-2395 MHz band," the League concluded. The ARRL also said it expects the FCC to recognize its continuing obligation under the 1993 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act "to avoid excessive disruption of amateur operation in bands reallocated from federal government use," including the 2390 to 2400 MHz band.

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