http://www.arrl.org/news/view/rep-lesko-introduces-bill-to-replace-symbol-rate-limit-with-bandwidth-limit ARRL Website Search [Keyword ] [Category ] [GO] Call Sign / Name Search [Search Licensees ] [GO] Login Register Account Login Help * Home * On The Air * Licensing, Education & Training * Membership * Regulatory & Advocacy * Public Service * Technology * Get Involved * ARRL Store * About ARRL * News & Features News Rep. Lesko Introduces Bill to Replace Symbol Rate Limit with Bandwidth Limit 12/22/2022 Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 9664) on December 21, 2022, to require that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replace the current HF digital symbol rate limit with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit. After being petitioned by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio(r) in 2013 (RM-11708) for the same relief, in 2016 the Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WT Docket No. 16-239) in which it agreed that the HF symbol rate limit was outmoded, served no purpose, and hampered experimentation. But the Commission questioned whether any bandwidth limit was needed in its place. Most amateurs, including the ARRL, objected to there being no signal bandwidth limit in the crowded HF bands given the possibility that unreasonably wide bandwidth digital protocols could be developed, and since 2016 there has been no further FCC action. In conjunction with introducing the legislation, Congresswoman Lesko stated that "With advances in our modern technology, increased amounts of data can be put on the spectrum, so there is less of a need for a regulatory limit on symbol rates. I am pleased to introduce this important piece of legislation to update the FCC's rules to support the critical role amateur radio operators play and better reflect the capabilities of our modern radio technology." ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, hailed introduction of the bill. Roderick stated that "the FCC's delay in removing this outdated restriction has been incomprehensible, given that the biggest effect of the delay is to require totally inefficient spectrum use on the already-crowded amateur HF bands. I hope that the Commission will act to remove this harmful limitation without waiting for the bill to be passed." ARRL Legislative Committee Chairman John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, added that "the symbol rate limit hampers experimentation and development of more efficient HF data protocols by U.S. amateurs. For all practical purposes the field has been ceded to amateurs outside the U.S., where there is no comparable limit. Removing the restriction not only will allow U.S. amateurs to use the most efficient data protocol suitable for their purpose, but it also will promote and incentivize U.S. amateurs to experiment with and develop even more efficient protocols." For the full text of the bill, click here (PDF). --------------------------------------------------------------------- About ARRL ARRL is the National Association for Amateur Radio(r). Founded in 1914 as The American Radio Relay League, ARRL is a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs. ARRL numbers within its ranks the vast majority of active radio amateurs (or "hams") in the U.S., and has a proud history of achievement as the standard-bearer in promoting and protecting amateur radio. For more information about ARRL and amateur radio, visit www.arrl.org. Photo Gallery * Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 9664) on December 21, 2022, to require that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) replace the current HF digital symbol rate limit with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit. Congresswoman Deb... Back Back to Top Having Trouble? News & Features >> News * News + ARRL News: Coronavirus COVID-19 * ARRL Audio News * ARRL Periodicals Archive Search * QST * On the Air Magazine * QEX * NCJ * ARRL Letter * News Tips * Doctor * So Now What? * Eclectic * ARRL Magazines EXPLORE ARRL * On The Air DXCC Program, W100AW & W1AW QSLs via Bureau, Amateur Code, Centennial QSO Party, NPOTA, Operating Specialties, International Grid Chase 2018, Hiram Percy Maxim 150th Birthday Celebration, Awards, QSL Service, Cycle 25, Logbook of the World, Transatlantic, W1AW, Contests, Special Event Stations, Operating Resources, Amateur Radio Direction Finding, Volunteers On the Air Licensing, Education & Training License Certificates, Courses & Training, Volunteer Instructors/ Mentors, Amateur Radio in the Classroom, Volunteer Examiners, Get on the Air, Learning Programs, Getting Licensed, What is Ham Radio, Youth Licensing Grant Program , FCC License Info and Forms Membership Member Directory, myARRL, Blind Membership, Join ARRL/Renew Membership, member feedback, Dues Increase FAQ, Techquestion, Please Confirm Your Information, Member Discounts, Member Bulletin, QST Reissue, Membership Certificate, Member Benefits, 3-Year Special Offer, Member Support, ARRL Groups, Connecticut Member Social, Login Instructions, Membership Levels, Gift Membership * Regulatory & Advocacy State and Local, Volunteer Consulting Engineer Program, Volunteer Counsel Program, Antenna Regulation and Zoning, CCR Study Information, International, Technical Relations Office, Federal, Volunteer Monitor Resources, Federal RFI Preemption, Volunteer Monitor Program Public Service NTS Manual, Public Service Resources, NTS, Volunteer Form for Deployment Consideration, Puerto Rico - Caribbean Recovery 2017, 2018 Hurricanes, Hurricane Maria - 2017, Hurricane Irma - 2017, Hurricane Harvey Response, 2019 Hurricanes, Ham Aid, 2020 Hurricanes, Served Agencies and Partners, 2021 Hurricanes, Public Service Honor Roll, SKYWARN Recognition Day, ARES Technology ARRL References, ARRL Lab, Tech Portal, Radio Technology Topics, Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) * Get Involved Clubs, Volunteer Opportunities, The ARRL Foundation, Donate to ARRL, Youth, Recruiting & Outreach, Hamfests and Conventions Calendar, Collegiate Amateur Radio Publications & Online Store ARRL Publication Dealers, ARRL Store, List all Products, Return Policy, Shipping and Tax, Customer Service/Support, Handbook, Product Notes About ARRL Site Index, Centennial, Privacy Policy, ARRL Strategic Plan, Advertising and Other Business Opportunities, ARRL on the Purpose of Amateur Radio, Library, Ideas, Media and Public Relations, Copyright, Organization Structure, Visit Us, ARRL Social Media, General Information, Contact ARRL, Employment Opportunities Instragram Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio^(r) 225 Main Street Newington, CT, 06111-1400 USA Tel: 1-860-594-0200 | Fax: 1-860-594-0259 Toll-free: 1-888-277-5289 hq@arrl.org ARRL * Donate Now * Join / Renew Your Membership * Advertise With Us * Contact ARRL * Terms of Use / Privacy Policy * E-mail to a Friend * Sign Up for Our Newsletter