Federal Register: FCC (Personal Radio & Amateur)

This document addresses a petition for reconsideration (petition) filed by Medtronic, Inc. (Medtronic) regarding rules for the Medical Device Radiocommunication (MedRadio) service. The Commission grants reconsideration to the extent of amending the MedRadio rules to permit the submission of average power transmitter measurements, and making editorial corrections or clarifications to several provisions concerning the frequency monitoring criteria and permissible communications for "listen-before-talk" (LBT) and non-LBT devices. The Commission denies reconsideration in all other respects and otherwise affirms certain provisions of the MedRadio rules questioned by Medtronic.

In this document, the Commission proposes to update, reorganize, simplify and streamline its Personal Radio Services rules to reflect technological advances and other changes in the way the American public uses the Personal Radio Services. In addition to improving the clarity of the rules, this document includes proposals intended to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on users, improve spectrum use, provide for enhanced equipment operating features, and promote the safety and consumer interests of operators. The document also proposes to reclassify one of the existing Personal Radio Services, specifically the 218-219 MHz service, as a Miscellaneous Wireless Communications Service, and accordingly move its rules from one part to another.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) amends its rules to permit amateur radio operators to transmit messages, under certain limited circumstances, during either government-sponsored or non-government sponsored emergency and disaster preparedness drills, regardless of whether the operators are employees of entities participating in the drill.

In this document, the Commission denies the petition filed by the Personal Radio Steering Group (PRSG) regarding certain Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) rules. In essence, the Commission finds that PRSG has not demonstrated that the changes it seeks are necessary and are in the public interest. Accordingly, there is no change to the CFR.

In this document the Commission proposes to amend rules relating to the Amateur Radio Service. Specifically, the Commission proposes to modify the rules pertaining to the use of five channels in the 5330.6-5406.4 kHz band (the 60 meter band) to replace one designated channel with one that is less encumbered, to authorize three additional emission designators, and to increase the maximum authorized power in this band.

In this document, the Commission, on its own motion, clarifies certain rules adopted in a previous decision in this proceeding to further explain our analysis underlying this decision. We also clarify the rule change removing the frequency coordination requirement for applications to modify private land mobile radio licenses by reducing the authorized bandwidth.

This document proposes to amend the amateur radio service rules to facilitate the use of spread spectrum communications technologies. The effect of this action is to enhance the usefulness of the amateur service rules by making them conform with other Commission rules, thereby eliminating licensee confusion when applying the rules to amateur service operations.

This document revises the Amateur Radio Service rules to make certain non-substantive revisions to these rules. The rules are necessary to amend the amateur service rules or conform them to prior Commission decisions. The effect of this action is to enhance the usefulness of the amateur service rules by making them conform with other Commission rules, thereby eliminating licensee confusion when applying the rules to amateur service operations.

In this document, the Commission adopted a document seeking comment on its proposal to amend the Commission's amateur radio service rules with respect to amateur radio operations during government- sponsored emergency preparedness and disaster readiness drills and tests. Specifically, the Commission proposes to amend the rules to provide that, under certain limited conditions, amateur radio operators may transmit messages during emergency and disaster preparedness drills, regardless of whether the operators are employees of entities participating in the drill.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) considers rule changes to certain of its rules that were addressed in a previous decision in this proceeding. In that decision, the Commission proposed various changes to its rules regarding PLMR licensing, including frequency coordination and eligibility issues. This proceeding is part of our continuing effort to provide clear and concise rules that facilitate new wireless technologies, devices and services, and are easy for the public to understand.

This document proposes to amend the amateur radio service rules to clarify certain rules and codify existing procedures governing the amateur service vanity call sign system, and to revise certain rules applicable to amateur service club stations.

In this document the Commission seeks comment on allocating spectrum and establishing service and technical rules for the operation of Medical Body Area Network (or MBAN) systems using body sensor devices. MBAN systems would provide a flexible platform for the wireless networking of multiple body sensors used for monitoring a patient's physiological data, primarily in health care facilities. Use of MBAN systems hold the promise of improved safety, quality, and efficiency of patient care by reducing or eliminating a wide array of hardwired, patient-attached cables used by present monitoring technologies. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking reflects the Commission's continuing desire to foster the availability and use of advanced medical devices using wireless technologies, which, in turn, should help to improve the health and well-being of the American public.

This document establishes a new Medical Device Radiocommunication Service (MedRadio Service) of the Commission's rules. This new service incorporates the existing Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) "core" band at 402-405 MHz, and also includes two megahertz of newly designated spectrum in the adjacent "wing" bands at 401-402 MHz and 405-406 MHz. The MedRadio Service will accommodate the operation of body-worn as well as implanted medical devices, including those using either listen-before-talk ("LBT") frequency monitoring or non-LBT spectrum access methods, in designated portions of the 401-406 MHz band.

In this document the Commission seeks comment on the feasibility of allowing up to 24 megahertz of spectrum in the 413-457 MHz band to be used on a secondary basis under the umbrella of the existing Medical Device Radiocommunication Service. This action reflects the Commission's ongoing effort to foster the development and deployment of advanced medical devices using wireless technologies that benefit the health and well-being of the American public.

This document makes non-substantive, editorial revisions to the Commission's Table of Frequency Allocations (Allocation Table) and to various other Commission Rules. The purpose of this action is to update and clarify the Allocation Table, to remove obsolete and outdated provisions from the Commission's Rules, and to ensure that the Allocation Table and related rules are consistent with the Commission's decisions in recent rulemaking proceedings.

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) initiates a proceeding to propose miscellaneous changes to its rules that govern new and existing wireless technologies, devices, and services. Specifically, the Commission seeks comment regarding particular changes to its rules governing the 4.9 GHz band and the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service which shares spectrum. The Commission also solicits comment on whether or not to revise or eliminate provisions that are duplicative, outmoded or otherwise unnecessary.

In this document, the Commission amends its Amateur Radio Service rules to remove the requirement that an individual must pass a Morse code telegraphy examination to qualify for a General Class or an Amateur Extra Class amateur radio service operator license. The Commission also revises the frequency segment of the 80 meter amateur service High Frequency (HF) band on which amateur stations are authorized to be automatically controlled when transmitting RTTY and data emission types, and it make other conforming amendments to the amateur service rules.

This document contains corrections to the final regulations which were published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, November 15, 2006, (71 FR 66460). This amendment will clarify that the 500 Hz limitation in the definition applies only to the emission types that were added to the definition of data when these emissions transmitted on amateur service frequencies below 30 MHz.

On March 17, 2006, the Commission adopted an Order revising its rules to establish the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. By establishing this bureau the Commission believes it will be better able to address and promote public safety and homeland security.