ARRL asks FCC for omnibus Part 97 modernization

Already pending

Delete symbol (baud) rate and bandwidth limits on certain LF and VHF/UHF bands

What would change: Remove symbol (baud) rate and bandwidth limits on specific amateur LF and VHF/UHF bands, as proposed in the Commission’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Background: WT Docket No. 16-239 — FCC FNPRM released November 2023; the comment cycle on that FNPRM was completed over a year before ARRL’s April 2025 filing. ARRL supports deleting these restrictions and asks the FCC to adopt the rule changes without further delay.

For operators: If adopted, experimentation with new digital modes on the affected bands would no longer be constrained by legacy baud/bandwidth caps on those segments.

Already pending

Expand Technician privileges on HF below 30 MHz

What would change: Add limited digital and voice privileges on HF below 30 MHz for Technician class licensees.

Background: RM-11828 — petition filed February 28, 2018; comment period completed with no further action reported in ARRL’s filing.

For operators: Technicians could gain limited HF digital/voice access where today they are largely excluded, while incentives to upgrade would remain in ARRL’s described balance.

Already pending

Realign 80/75 meter subbands

What would change: Shift the lower edge of the phone band from 3.600 MHz to 3.650 MHz; permit RTTY/data in 3.500–3.650 MHz; move the ACDS segment to 3.600–3.615 MHz; authorize grandfathered Novice and all Technician class licensees for CW, RTTY, and data in 3.600–3.650 MHz; grant General and Advanced class licensees access to 3.600–3.650 MHz.

Background: RM-11759 — petitioned in 2016.

For operators: Would redistribute demand across 80/75 m to better match digital-mode usage; phone, data, and class privileges on 75/80 m would follow the new boundaries if adopted.

New request

Modernize digital code rules (§§ 97.309, 97.305, 97.307, 97.119(b))

What would change: Replace obsolete digital code limits in § 97.309(a)(1)–(3) with a rule allowing any publicly documented code decodable over the air (unencrypted). Delete § 97.309(b)’s country-agreement requirement for certain digital codes. Rework phone vs. data subband splits in §§ 97.305, 97.307, and 97.119(b) so rules fit digital modes that carry voice, data, or both (for example FreeDV).

For operators: Clearer rules for where hybrid voice/data digital signals may be used and fewer obsolete code lists; international digital experimentation would not depend on bilateral “code agreements” that ARRL describes as unworkable in practice.

New request

Third-party traffic and WRC-03 (ITU RR 25.3)

What would change: Implement the WRC-03 change reflected in ITU Radio Regulation 25.3 and delete the treaty/third-party-agreement requirement in § 97.115(a)(2).

For operators: Would align US rules with ITU treatment ARRL describes — emergency/disaster third-party traffic under RR 25.3 without requiring State Department bilateral agreements for routine international third-party messaging.

Already pending

Delete 15 dB HF amplifier gain limit (§ 97.317(a)(2))

What would change: Remove the restriction limiting HF amplifier gain to 15 dB.

Background: RM-11767 — petition by Expert Linears America/SPE; ARRL supports deletion. ARRL notes solid-state LDMOS amps can boost even 1–5 W radios to the legal maximum; the 1500 W amateur power limit would not change.

For operators: Low-power radios could drive modern solid-state amps to the legal power limit without an intermediate amplifier solely to satisfy the gain cap.

Already pending

Remove non-current personal info from public ULS view

What would change: Stop showing outdated licensing addresses and related non-current personal information on the public ULS site when a licensee updates contact information.

Background: WT Docket No. 15-81 — FCC proposed this in 2015.

For operators: Updating ULS contact data could better protect privacy if older addresses are no longer displayed publicly.

New request

Special event (1×1) call sign identification (§ 97.119(b))

What would change: Delete the last sentence of § 97.119(b) that requires operators using a special event call sign to also identify with their assigned call at least once per hour.

For operators: Special-event stations could rely on the authorized special call alone for ID, reducing confusion ARRL cites especially on digital and CW when both calls are sent hourly.

New request

Delete obsolete paper license replacement (§ 97.29)

What would change: Remove § 97.29, which still provides for replacing a physical license document though the FCC stopped mailing paper licenses effective December 30, 2020.

For operators: Rules would match current practice of obtaining license documents through the FCC’s online ULS system rather than a paper replacement application.