FCC proposes deleting cellular frequency block rule

[nd5y]

Draft document for cosideration at the FCC open meeting.

https://www.fcc.gov/document/deleting-obsolete-outdated-unnecessary-rules-parts-2-15-18

One of the outdated/obsolete/unnecessary rules they propose to delete is 15.121 which bans cellular bands receiving capability.

 

[letarotor]

I've wondered why they haven't done this many years ago Tom. I've got a number of old radios that can receive this band or the frequencies used in the 1990s through early 2000s. Once in a great while I'll scan through just to see if there's anything there and I'm not getting any kind of signals. I understand there are some kinds of data signals occasionally there but I don't seem to ever hear those. It's just a bunch of unused space between 869 MHz and 894 MHz as well as the 45 MHz lower input frequencies for that old cellular band. I'm surprised they haven't turned it over to public safety users in past years. Thanks for the link.

COMMSCAN

 

[GlobalNorth]

Long overdue. Give some Megs to the Amateurs.

 

[prcguy]

Well there goes all the value of my unblocked receivers. I was hoping to sell them all and retire in luxury.

 

[nd5y]

I've wondered why they haven't done this many years ago Tom. I've got a number of old radios that can receive this band or the frequencies used in the 1990s through early 2000s. Once in a great while I'll scan through just to see if there's anything there and I'm not getting any kind of signals. I understand there are some kinds of data signals occasionally there but I don't seem to ever hear those. It's just a bunch of unused space between 869 MHz and 894 MHz as well as the 45 MHz lower input frequencies for that old cellular band. I'm surprised they haven't turned it over to public safety users in past years. Thanks for the link.

COMMSCAN

You won't hear anything on a scanner. An SDR or something with a spectrum display will show 869-894 is full of wideband (5-20 MHz wide) signals.

 

[nd5y]

Even if the FCC approves the 15.121 rule deletion there likely won't be any scanners that cover the cellular bands any time soon. Depending on the hardware and firmware changes involved it could require the products to be re-certified. The manufacturers would probably not do that for existing models.

Be careful what you wish for. It could even be a curse. Future models could be made with crappier wideband receivers without the cellular ranges blocked and make intereference from nearby cell sites worse.

 

[mmckenna]

It's just a bunch of unused space between 869 MHz and 894 MHz as well as the 45 MHz lower input frequencies for that old cellular band. I'm surprised they haven't turned it over to public safety users in past years. Thanks for the link.

No, that's all still used by the cellular carriers. They are not going to give that up. Way too valuable for the cell carriers.

800 MHz Cellular Service

The Cellular Radiotelephone (Cellular) Service is in the 824 – 849 and 869 – 894 MHz spectrum range. The most common use of cellular spectrum is mobile voice and data services, including cell phone, text messaging, and Internet. Similar services include the 700 MHz Service, Advanced Wireless...

www.fcc.gov

Your scanner just can't demodulate anything there, other than noise.

 

[mmckenna]

Even if the FCC approves the 15.121 rule deletion there likely won't be any scanners that cover the cellular bands any time soon. Depending on the hardware and firmware changes involved it could require the products to be re-certified. The manufacturers would probably not do that for existing models.

Right. Spectrum analyzers, SDR's, unblocked receivers will receive there and are perfectly legal.
There's just nothing to listen to in that range, other than very wide band data streams.

There's no analog, P25, DMR, NXDN, LTR, etc. in those bands, and no one is missing anything, other than if you just want to hear wideband data blasting out of the speaker.

 

[letarotor]

You won't hear anything on a scanner. An SDR or something with a spectrum display will show 869-894 is full of wideband (5-20 MHz wide) signals.

Interesting I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the info.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Well there goes all the value of my unblocked receivers. I was hoping to sell them all and retire in luxury.

40 years ago I ran out and bought an ICR-9000 to be unblocked. It has taken this long. A rule drafted due to the embarrassment of a certain political critter.

 

[GlobalNorth]

You won't hear anything on a scanner. An SDR or something with a spectrum display will show 869-894 is full of wideband (5-20 MHz wide) signals.

Back in the day, my Yaesu FRG-9600 pulled in the analog signals and I listened in. Now, no more.

 

[PACNWDude]

I miss the days of listening to analog cell phones......it was why I bought a Pro-2006 scanner and immediately cut the diode. Great entertainment/intel gathering. Then, at work it was service monitors that were put to task. Back then, it was IFR Marconi test sets.......which was great listening as well. Just a lot more expensive for that hardware.

The FCC is way too slow at many things, including this. (Coming from someone who paid $70 for my GMRS license, even when they agreed to lower it to $35, then took over a year to actually do so).