New Digital Modes

[belvdr]

In another thread:

We can't just adopt a digital system, it has to be approved by the FCC before hams can use it. That's part of the rules....Mike

What's the rule that states a ham has to use only digital modes approved by the FCC (i.e. DMR, D-Star vs Tetra)? I'm not a lawyer and don't pretend to be, so I can't say I have it all memorized.

 

[jeepsandradios]

I've never seen that listed in the rules. IF it is I hope someone can show us. Not sure what other form there is that isn't approved but thats another topic.

 

[AK9R]

As I stated in that thread:

Emission standards for amateur radio in the U.S. are contained in §97.305, §97.307, §97.309, and §97.311. If the emission type meets those standards and does not conflict with §97.111 and §97.113 (which prohibits "messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning"), then it can be used in amateur radio in the U.S.

I'm not aware of any rule stating that emission types have to be approved by the FCC. If such a rule exists, I'd like to know.

 

[ka3jjz]

Here's a good example - it's when the FCC approved DMR for use on ham radio. I thought I remembered that Part 97 had a specific prohibition against using unapproved modes...

FCC officially gives the green light to DMR for US hams - VA3XPR

On June 9th, the US Federal Communications Commission, commonly known as the FCC, officially approve

va3xpr.net

Notice the part about 'technical non compliance with Part 97 rules'?

But yes clearly, the FCC has to give modes like TETRA the green light before hams can officially use it. Otherwise it's a no-go, except where experimental licenses are involved....Mike

 

[dlwtrunked]

And then that is an experimental license not a ham license so it is not really an "except".

 

[tweiss3]

I don't remember where it is in the eCFR, but yes, on ham radio anyone can create a new mode and use it, as long as they publicly document how to use it, how it works, and how to decode it (that way it's not considered encrypted traffic).

 

[KC3ECJ]

In another thread:
What's the rule that states a ham has to use only digital modes approved by the FCC (i.e. DMR, D-Star vs Tetra)? I'm not a lawyer and don't pretend to be, so I can't say I have it all memorized.

A big part of amateur radio is experimentation.
Why should we have to settle on a digital standard?

 

[AK9R]

The VA3XPR article states that FCC Decision 14-74 approved TDMA for amateur radio use.

FCC Decision 14-74 is a Report and Order in response to RM-11625. As stated in 14-74, "In 2011, ARRL filed a petition for rulemaking requesting that Sections 97.3(c) and 97.307(f)(8) of the Commission’s Rules be amended to authorize certain Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) emissions." Furthermore, 14-74 states, "Allowing amateur stations to transmit these emission types is consistent with the basis and purposes of the amateur service, and we revise Sections 97.3(c) and 97.307(f)(8) to permit the use of emission types FXD, FXE, and F7E for the reasons set forth in the NPRM." As laid out in the Ordering Clauses, §97.3 and §97.307 were revised to permit TDMA.

So, I think the issue is that prior to this change, DMR, which uses TDMA, was probably not allowed by the FCC rules for amateur radio in the U.S. But, after the change was made, DMR, and other emission types, are allowed. I stand by my previous statement that as long as an emission type meets the standards set forth in Part 97, it's allowed without having to get specific authorization.

 

[nd5y]

I don't remember where it is in the eCFR, but yes, on ham radio anyone can create a new mode and use it, as long as they publicly document how to use it, how it works, and how to decode it (that way it's not considered encrypted traffic).

Federal Register :: Request Access

97.305 through 97.311 are the rules on emission types.

 

[belvdr]

A big part of amateur radio is experimentation.
Why should we have to settle on a digital standard?

No one suggested that.

The VA3XPR article states that FCC Decision 14-74 approved TDMA for amateur radio use.

And, if I understand this correctly, any future digital mode using TDMA needs no further approval now.

 

[kb9mwr]

Settling on a standard is old school (they can evolve). Most consumer electroncics have updateable firmware. So as new things come about you don't have to go buy a new piece of hardware. But since all the radios lack a way to update their firmware with the latest digital protocols developed by the community, so picking a standard would be good till that happens. This vendor locked OUR mode crap is ludicrous. "Experimentation" is controlled by the vendors crappy hardware right now. People need to be more vocal about how stupid it all is IMHO.

 

[merlin]

Is it confusion between the difference between emission types and DMR protocols?
C4FM , an emission type, supports dozens of protocols like DMR, D-Star.
FSK, an emission type, also supports some digital protocols.
QPSK, BPSK, OOK, are emission types.
'ALL' are legal to US amateurs.
In order to comply, each may have limits like baud rates, bandwidth, modulation index limits, or band restrictions.
There are also provisions for experimental testing.
Part 97 does make it clear that digital transmission must be formatted to some standard making it easy to decode.
That is the part that forbids any form of encryption.
Not sure ? study parts 97 completely.
73s

 

[merlin]

A big part of amateur radio is experimentation.
Why should we have to settle on a digital standard?

Well, I would keep that old Vibroplex and 10-D mic very handy because modes like CW, FM and SSB phone are not going anywhere.
No one will have to settle on digital, but I see the migration to DMR now. Fewer and Fewer 'old school' hams, at some point, there'll be no one to rag chew on 15 meter DX CW with.
Sad 5 decades back my passtime was SWLing KPH, CW/RTTY. Now gone silent for digital and satellite.

 

[kb9mwr]

I agree Part 97 is overly complex it could use a major revamp. Basically if it fits in the allocations and can be decoded it should be permitted. This different set of rules for image, voice and data is really blurry and antiquated. And how does modern modulcation types with multiple carriers (i.e. QAM) fit into the rules?

 

[n2nov]

Each carrier will need to meet the baud limitation (as most already comply). Imagine the throughput of 64 parallel carriers each at 300 baud running FEC for robustness.