Subj : Hurricane Idalia: FCC Approves ARRL Petition to Aid Emergency Communications
To   : QST
From : ARRL de WD1CKS
Date : Wed Aug 30 2023 01:07 pm

08/30/2023

�ARRL� The National Association for Amateur Radio[1]� has received approval
from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an emergency waiver to
facilitate amateur radio emergency communications for hurricane relief.

The request, filed by the ARRL Washington DC Counsel on August 29, 2023, seeks
a waiver of HF symbol rate restrictions.

Trained radio amateurs involved with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
and other communications support groups are working with federal, state, and
local emergency management officials and relief organizations to assist with
disaster relief communications in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane
Idalia at the Florida coast. Their equipment includes radio modems and
computers that are capable of data transmissions that exceed the regulatory
baud symbol rate limit yet use the same or less bandwidth as slower-speed
protocols that are permitted. The higher data rates are critical to sending the
anticipated relief communications, including lists of needed and distributed
supplies, etc. Many other amateur stations involved in disaster relief
communications are able to use the higher-speed emissions from their stations
inside and outside the anticipated landfall area or involved areas to assist in
the communication efforts.

The waiver, which was granted August 30, is for a 60-day relief period from the
rules, based upon the immediate need related to the threat of Hurricane Idalia.
It would cover use directly related to any additional hurricanes that may
develop within the 60-day period. Only messages related to these hurricanes
would be permitted to be sent via the higher-speed modes, and only publicly
documented modes would be allowed.

Read the waiver[2] (PDF)

ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, said the rate
increase will help response abilities. "The increased symbol rate provides for
faster more efficient message transmissions for digital communications. These
modes such as WINLINK are used to send forms for served agencies and other data
that can be vital during a disaster," he said.

Johnston and volunteers of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service� (ARES�) are
closely coordinating with ARRL Sections in Florida. The ARRL Northern Florida
Section is activated in preparation for Hurricane Idalia. ARES volunteers are
staffing the auxiliary communications position at the Florida Emergency
Operations Center, which was activated at 7:00 AM on August 29.

Several other hurricane-related amateur radio nets were active ahead of the
storm. Hurricane Idalia strengthened into a category 4 storm briefly in the
overnight hours of Wednesday, August 30 before being downgraded to category 3.
The storm made landfall in the Great Bend region of Florida's Gulf Coast with
sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. See ARRL's previous news story for more
details: Idalia Prompts Amateur Radio Activations[3] (8/28/2023).

About Amateur Radio and ARRL��

Amateur Radio Service licensees use their training, skills, and equipment to
practice radio communications and develop radio technology. Amateur Radio
Operators volunteer their qualifications and equipment for communications duty
in public service and during emergencies. Amateur Radio also provides a basis
for hands-on STEM education and pathways to careers.��

ARRL� The National Association for Amateur Radio[4]� was founded in 1914 as The
American Radio Relay League, and is a noncommercial organization of Radio
Amateurs. ARRL numbers within its ranks the vast majority of active Radio
Amateurs (or "hams") in the US 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[5].�

About ARES���

Amateur Radio Operators, or "hams," have a long history of serving their
communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication
infrastructure, such as cell phone towers and fiber optic networks. Amateur
radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems, and
a ham radio station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Amateurs can
quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and
power source, and communicate effectively with others.��

The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service� (ARES��www.arrl.org/ares[6]) consists
of hams who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment with
their local ARES leadership for communications duty in the public service when
disaster strikes. They use their training, skills, and equipment to prepare for
and provide communications during emergencies When All Else Fails�.


[1] https://www.arrl.org/ares
[2] http://arrl.org/files/file/Public%20Service/Hurricanes/2023/Idalia/FCC%2060-day%20waiver%20DA%2023-784%2008_30_2023.pdf
[3] https://www.arrl.org/news/idalia-prompts-amateur-radio-activations
[4] https://www.arrl.org/
[5] https://www.arrl.org/
[6] http://www.arrl.org/ares

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