ad7i (12/08/82)
POB 205
Holmdel, N.J. 07733
201-949-3731 (W)
201-741-1151 (H)
November 23, 1982
Mr. Paul Rinaldo, W4RI
Editor,
_Q_E_X: The ARRL
Experimenters' Exchange
1524 Springvale Avenue
McLean, V.A. 22101
Dear Paul:
In the spring of this year at the packet radio meeting held in Murray
Hill, you and I discussed some of the regulatory problems facing the
development of a high frequency data network. One key problem was the
legality of running a H.F. packet station in unattended mode, where
unattended implies operation of a radio without a control operator present
during transmissions. Without releasing amateurs from the requirement that
all H.F. transmissions must be supervised by an operator, automated H.F.
networks are impossible to achieve.
On July 7, 1982, I made a request of the F.C.C. to allow operation of
my station, using the error correcting teleprinter code know as AMTOR,
without a control operator being present. I was delighted on November 19,
1982, with a positive response from the F.C.C. Although not everything I
requested was allowed, I was pleased to find that I got more than I thought
I would. I can now run unattended on H.F. with AMTOR.
I encourage everyone involved with the establishment of automated data
networks using H.F. to seek waivers of the rules, as required, to permit the
rapid and continual growth of this technology. Amateur Radio is
progressing!
73,
Paul Newland, ad7i
Copy (with att.) to
Vic Clark, W4KFC
Phil Karn, KA9Q
Bill Meyn, K4PA
Dave Sumner, K1ZZ
Curtis Williams, W5DTR
netnews
[ i haven't included the attachment (the FCC STA) but if someone
would like to see it or the original request that I prepared for
the commisssion, drop me a note and i'll forward you a copy -- pbn]