Comments Sought on Proposed LF/MF Ham Bands

The FCC is seeking comments on its proposals to establish new amateur allocations at 2200 and 630 meters, with an August 31 deadline. According to the ARRL Letter, the FCC's detailed proposals for the bands - first announced in a huge Report & Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in late April - were published in the Federal Register on July 2, starting the "countdown clock" for filing comments and reply comments (due September 30).
 

The FCC is proposing a "sliver band," from 135.7-137.8 kHz on 2200 meters, and a slightly larger 630 meter allocation, 472-479 kHz, which hams would share with unlicensed power line carrier, or PLC, systems already in place for controlling the power grid. The commission is looking specifically for input on power limits, antenna length and height, and the amount of physical separation that is needed between an amateur antenna and an electric transmission line using PLC. (PLC is used on transmission lines, which carry high-voltage electricity between generating stations and substations, not on residential distribution lines.)