Will narrowbanding effect ham radio?

[kc8mln]

I am a ham op and also on our local FD, so I know that our county has to comply with the FCC mandate for narrowbanding of all public safety/service frequencies in the VHF & UHF bands, but will the narrowbanding mandate effect the 2-meter VHF and 440-UHF amateur bands in any way? (ie, will narrowbanding also apply to amateur bands or are they exempt form the narrowbanding mandate)

 

[nd5y]

NO.
Narrowbanding only affects part 90 frequencies between 150-512 MHz. Not ham or GMRS.
Narrowbanding - The RadioReference Wiki
Narrowbanding

 

[N4DES]

The FCC has been very clear. Narrowbanding DOES NOT affect Amateur (Part 97), GMRS (Part 95), or Marine at all. It only affects Part 90 licensees BELOW 512 MHz.

 

[K9WG]

Also Amateur Radio does not operate on channels or specific frequencies. As long as you stay in your band (or sub-band) you can operate on any frequency.

 

[code3cowboy]

Actually it does in a away. Tons of sweet commercial gear is now great for ham use and useless for commercial use.

 

[gewecke]

TRUE!!

73,
n9zas

 

[K9WG]

That will be interesting to see.

 

[zz0468]

That will be interesting to see.

It's happening now. Have you checked eBay lately?

 

[zz0468]

Also Amateur Radio does not operate on channels or specific frequencies. As long as you stay in your band (or sub-band) you can operate on any frequency.

That's not 100% accurate.

 

[K9WG]

That's not 100% accurate.

And how is that? With exception of the 60-meter band (would not be covered under narrow-banding anyway) I can operate on any frequency that my license allows (BTW, since I am an Extra that means all frequencies in the Amateur Radio Service).

 

[AK9R]

deleted

 

[zz0468]

And how is that? With exception of the 60-meter band (would not be covered under narrow-banding anyway) I can operate on any frequency that my license allows (BTW, since I am an Extra that means all frequencies in the Amateur Radio Service).

"47CFR Part 97 Subpart B 97.101 (a) In all respects not specifically covered by FCC Rules each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice."

In the case of repeater operation, entire sub-bands are channelized. Since it would be poor engineering and poor amateur practice to operate between assigned channels, or grossly off frequency with a VFO, with the potential to cause interference to at least two repeaters, that could be a violation of 97.101(a).

 

[W2NJS]

Hams have been operating "between channels," as you put it for years on simplex, usually at hamfests, in 5 kHz steps, and it does no one any harm. Take a listen sometime and you'll find it's true.

 

[K9WG]

"47CFR Part 97 Subpart B 97.101 (a) In all respects not specifically covered by FCC Rules each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice."

In the case of repeater operation, entire sub-bands are channelized. Since it would be poor engineering and poor amateur practice to operate between assigned channels, or grossly off frequency with a VFO, with the potential to cause interference to at least two repeaters, that could be a violation of 97.101(a).

A big difference between causing interference and operating within the band. There are many parts of the country where you could operate and not be anywhere close to interfering with a repeater. And if you really want to blast the "narrow-banding" concept, 440 does not have any bandwith restrictions (hence 440 fast-scan ATV). We can throws words at each other all day but in the end there are not any FCC recognized channels in the Amateur Radio Service with exception of the 60-meter band.

 

[K4APR]

Personally, I see narrow banding as a good thing. Although, I am coming from a commercial background to support my thoughts on the subject. I have yet to see a modern FM amateur grade transceiver NOT capable of doing narrow band. If we could ever make the move to narrow band, that would create more repeater pairs. In areas where the pairs are far and few between, I know this would be a welcomed change.

 

[K9WG]

deleted

 

[zz0468]

A big difference between causing interference and operating within the band. There are many parts of the country where you could operate and not be anywhere close to interfering with a repeater.

This is true. And in those areas, you can do what you stated - just operate anywhere.

And if you really want to blast the "narrow-banding" concept, 440 does not have any bandwith restrictions (hence 440 fast-scan ATV).

"Blast the narrow-banding concept"? Who said anything about blasting narrow banding? You said:

Also Amateur Radio does not operate on channels or specific frequencies. As long as you stay in your band (or sub-band) you can operate on any frequency.

So, I said:

That's not 100% accurate.

In the context of channelized repeater operation, and 60 meters, your statement above is not 100% accurate, and I stand by my statement.

We can throws words at each other all day but in the end there are not any FCC recognized channels in the Amateur Radio Service with exception of the 60-meter band.

Part 97 doesn't define repeater channelization specifically, but I would suggest you read the parts where frequency coordination is recognized. It's not my desire to get into some pedantic argument about some fine point of the rules, I just wanted to point out that channelized operation can and does occur on the ham bands, and even outside the 60 meter band, it's recognized and enforced, when necessary, by FCC rules.

 

[timkilbride]

Hams have been operating "between channels," as you put it for years on simplex, usually at hamfests, in 5 kHz steps, and it does no one any harm. Take a listen sometime and you'll find it's true.

I run simplex with a guy on 146.475 and another group runs on 146.460. Believe me, they get into my radio and we are a few miles apart.

Tim

 

[James_Bond_007]

i think on 2m and 70cm in area's where there are no repeaters pairs available (typically the major metro area's) narrow banding should be phased in to open up frequency pairs.

hams used to be the innovators now we barely catch up to the rest of the world. we need to at least keep pace with technology if not go back to being the innovators that ham radio once was.

 

[timkilbride]

Operating in 5kz steps is not common practice and does cause interference. Simple as that.

Tim