In the Matter of AMENDMENTS OF SUBPARTS
C, G. H, AND I OF PART 21 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES TO REDUCE THE SEPARATION
BETWEEN ASSIGNABLE FREQUENCIES IN THE 450-470 MC/S BAND
FOR DOMESTIC PUBLIC RADIO SERVICES
(OTHER THAN MARITIME MOBILE)
Docket No. 17023
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
11 F.C.C.2d 977; 12 Rad. Reg. 2d (P
& F) 1596
RELEASE-NUMBER: FCC 68-243
March 6, 1968 Adopted
ACTION:
REPORT
AND ORDER
JUDGES:
BY THE
COMMISSION: CHAIRMAN HYDE ABSENT; COMMISSIONER JOHNSON
CONCURRING IN RESULT.
[*977] 1. This proceeding was instituted by a notice of proposed rulemaking
released December 2, 1966 (FCC 66-1086) n1
to amend subparts C, G, H, and I of part 21 of the Commission's rules as set
forth in the appendix thereto and errata.
The time for filing comments and reply comments expired February 9, and
March 7, 1967, respectively. n2 The information contained in the five comments and
three reply comments, together with the pertinent and relevant information
contained in docket No. 13847, n3 were all
considered by the Commission.
n1 The notice was published in the Federal
Register of Dec. 10, 1966 (31 F.R. 15600).
n2 Time for filing comments and reply comments
was extended by orders released Jan. 11 and Feb. 24, 1967.
n3 "In the Matter of * * * Amendment
of parts 2, 87 (formerly 9), 89, 91, 93, 95, and 21 of the Commission's rules
to reallocate frequencies in the 460-470 Mc/s band and to make additional
frequencies available for assignment in the 450-470 Mc/s band."
2. In docket No. 13847 (channel splitting in
the safety and special radio services), the Commission adopted technical
standards to permit the operation of radio facilities in the 450-470 Mc/s band
upon frequencies separated by 25 kc/s, as well as certain mandatory dates for
the implementation of such standards.
The Commission believed that the public interest would best be served by
the application of these same technical standards and time limits to common
carrier radio services in this band.
Accordingly it issued the above-entitled notice of proposed rulemaking.
3. In the proposed notice the following
amendments were recommended to subparts C, G, H, and I of part 21 of the Rules:
tightening of frequency tolerance limits to 0.00025 percent for fixed and base
stations, and to 0.0005 percent for all mobile stations; reduction of frequency
deviation due to modulation to 5 kc/s in lieu of 15 kc/s; and the use of a
postlimiter roll-off filter with characteristics recommended by Working Group 8
of the Land Mobile Advisory Committee.
[*978] All systems, existing and
new, would be required to operate with deviation reduced to +-5 kc/s within 6
months after the effective date of the report and order adopting these
standards; all systems authorized prior to November 1, 1967 would have until
November 1, 1971, to conform to all of the proposed new technical standards
(viz. bandwidth, tolerance, and roll-off filter).
4. No objections were raised to the proposed
channel splitting. Objections were raised to the timetable set up for its
implementation and suggestions were addressed to proposed allocations of the
new channels. Since the suggestions
made for frequency allocation go beyond the scope of the instant rulemaking
proceeding they will not be considered at this time. Further, the effective dates for the implementation of the
technical standards were established in docket No. 13847 on the bases of the
very urgent need to implement the newly created splits to immediately alleviate
channel congestion. These same urgent
needs prevail for the common carrier services.
In addition, the availability of the additional radio channels obtained
by channel splitting will avoid the necessity for holding comparative hearings
in many situations, or in those cases where hearings must be held, serve to
simplify the issues. Therefore, all
systems, existing and new, will be required to operate with deviation reduced
to +-5 kc/s by June 1, 1968. All
systems authorized prior to June 1, 1968,
will have to conform to all of the proposed new technical standards
(viz. bandwidth, tolerance, and roll-off filter) by November 1, 1971.
5. The comments filed by Central Watch Service,
Inc., n4 concerning apparent variances in
the notice of proposed rulemaking and the appendix attached thereto and the
omission of the date for implementation of the roll-off filter for existing
facilities are well taken and the necessary corrections in the appendix have
been made.
n4 For good cause shown, the late-filed
comments by Central Watch Service, Inc., are accepted and have been considered.
6. The Commission is of the opinion that the
benefits to be derived by the public from early implementation of the new split
channels will outweigh the inconveniences which may be occasioned by the dates
established in this report and order, and which conform with the dates set
forth in docket No. 13847. Under the circumstances, we conclude that the public
interest, convenience, and necessity would best be served by amending part 21
of the rules. The changes in technical
standards herein adopted will necessitate withdrawal of type acceptance as of
November 1, 1971, for a number of transmitter types now listed in the
Commission's radio equipment list. A
list of transmitter types so affected will be issued in the near future.
7. Accordingly, pursuant to authority contained
in sections 4(i), 303(r), and 307(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, It is ordered, That pursuant to the effective dates stated in
paragraph 4, supra, part 21 of the Commission's rules Is amended.
8. It is further ordered, That this proceeding
Is terminated.
FEDERAL
COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, BEN F. WAPLE, Secretary.