FCC proposes rulemaking in Part 95

The FCC has proposed to changes the rules in Part 95, which governs the Personal Radio Services.  Proposed Rule Changes  Some of the rule changes are called for, such as those related to licensing of GMRS, since the license requirements are often ignored and the lack of a license really causes no harm.  Others proposed changes are likely to cause severe problems in the future, however.

Let's talk about CB radios.  Under the rules, you are not allowed to talk with stations more than 150 miles away.  Under the best of circumstances, however, one is lucky to be able to transmit more than 10 miles.  This is because CB radios are limited to 4 watts of power.  Most time, CB users cannot transmit more than 5 or 6 miles because of terrain and interference from other radio sources.  To get more distance, many CB users find ways to get more power, including using external amplifiers or more powerful radios intended for other services. 

The problem with an external amplifier is that CB frequencies are not pure.  The frequencies have harmonics or spurs at multiples of the main frequencies.  Some of the harmonic frequencies may be frequencies used by other services.  If the power on the CB is too high, those other services may be interfered with by the CB.  Thirty or forty years ago, it was not uncommon to hear CB discussions on one's TV set, since TV channel 2 was on the same frequency as the second harmonic on CB. 

Of course, nowadays TVs are digital and CBs don't interfere with one's TV.  There is no need to reduce the power on CBs because interference is almost impossible.  Rather, since users are allowed to transmit up to 150 miles, but cannot transmit, in most cases, even one tenth of the allowed distance, the power allowed on CB should be increased.  The rules could be amended to require a purer signal on CB.  Filters could be required which would reduce the power of the second harmonic further, so even if transmit power was increased there would be no interference caused by the harmonics.  If power levels were increased at the manufacturing level, there would be no need for external add on amplifiers, which are the main source of interference to other services.

Another way in which CB users try to talk farther is by using Amateur equipment on CB frequencies.  The CB band is in between two Amateur bands (the ten and twelve meter bands).  Amateur radios can be 200 times more powerful than CB radios.  By modifying Amateur equipment, a relatively easy task for almost all Amateur radios, CB users can talk on CB with hundreds of watts of power.  The main problem with CB users using Amateur radios is that sometimes the CB users try to use the radios on the Amateur bands.  This causes friction with licensed Amateur operators, as they tend to be extremely protective of their service.  By increasing the power of standard CBs there would be less likelihood that the CB users would transmit out of band. 

The FCC has the right idea to amend the rules.  There is no question the rules are disorganized and outdated.  However, the FCC has not proposed adopting rules that are practical or enforceable.  If the rule making proposal goes through, its just going to lead to trouble and more business for attorneys like me who represent clients in trouble with the FCC.