FCC to modernize Ham Radio rules

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The Codec2 project has developed FreeDV, a program to encode digital voice on two-way radio in only 1.125 KHz of bandwidth.

But FCC regulations aren't up-to-speed with the challenges of software-defined radio and Open Source.

A 24 page FCC filing proposes that FCC allow all digital modulations and published digital codes on ham radio and switch to bandwidth-based regulation.

You can read more on Bruce Perens K6BP blog - http://perens.com/blog/2013/01/17/1/

Higher power trial in Australia

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) have allowed the trial use of high power trial up to one-kilowatt, with 230 holders of Advance Licences having paid the variance fee to take part.

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) had lobbied for higher power for many years and put its reasoned case to the ACMA.

The 18-month trial, which began in March 2012 is due to end August 2013, allows the ACMA and the WIA to evaluate any impacts before considering a long term arrangement.

It confines the use of higher power to approved notice of licence variation applicants on the 80m band including the DX window, 7000 to 7100 kHz, and the entire 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m bands.

Some radio amateurs located in defined areas were excluded at the time as they were being used on a trial basis by other sensitive radio communication technologies.

The ACMA has previously baulked at suggestions that higher power be permitted on the grounds of the interference potential. Advocates for it sought a level playing ground mainly during DXing and contests, with many others having more output power.

However a lifting from 500w to 1,000w for radio amateurs in New Zealand, a near neighbour, saw the matter being revisited by the ACMA.

During the trial successful applicants may be required by the ACMA to demonstrate compliance with the relevant exposure to radiation standard, and this is expected to happen in February.

Pasta-shaped radio waves allows infinite channels

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Radio waves twisted into the shape of fusilli pasta have been beamed across Venice – and researchers discovered that they allow for a potentially infinite number of channels to be broadcast and received.

The researchers, from the University of Padova, Italy, and the Angstrom Laboratory, Sweden, believe that they have solved the problem of radio congestion.<br /><br />As the world continues to adapt in the digital age, the introduction of new mobile smartphones, wireless internet and digital TVs means the number of radio frequency bands available to broadcast information gets smaller and smaller.

“You just have to try sending a text message at midnight on New Year’s Eve to realise how congested the bands are ”
— Lead author Dr Fabrizio Tamburini