Support Pactor 4 - Act quickly

[svtrio]

FYI,

I've copied below an SSCA posting from a cruising couple that might be of interest to other cruising sailors. The message is clear and provides concise info on how U.S. citizens can comment (perhaps anyone can comment) to an FCC filing to allow Pactor 4 on the U.S. amateur bands. Following the instructions, a filing can be submitted in a couple of minutes.
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Comments Solicited on Pactor 4 Proposal Before FCC
by Soggy Paws » Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:53 pm
Received from the Winlink Development Group today--passing it on to interested parties who may no longer be using Winlink.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Time is running out for comments supporting RM-11708 to the FCC, which would remove the symbol rate limitation from FCC rules, and allow hams to use Pactor 4 modems in the USA. If the proposed rule change fails this time, it will be years before we have another chance.

It is very easy to submit a comment. Please do. You don't have to say much other than you think it's a good idea, and that you support it.

Here are the steps to submit a comment.

1. Go to ECFS Home Page

2. Select "Submit a Filing (Express)" from the list in the upper left corner of the screen.

3. In the topmost paragraph of the next screen, click "click here to manually enter your docket number".

4. Enter RM-11708 as the "Proceeding Number". Enter your name, address, and type your comments in the bottom field.

5. Click "Continue", and then click the "Confirm" button on the summary page it will display.

6. If everything goes properly, it will give you a submission confirmation number.

Here are the relevant points:

1. The proposed change does not alter the bandwidth limits or the frequencies available for digital use, so no new frequency space is being used. It has no negative impact on the Ham spectrum.

2. The use of Pactor 4 simply makes the use of existing bandwidth more efficient, so additional traffic can be passed without allocating new frequencies.

3. The further development of even faster protocols in the same bandwidth limitations depends on the success of this rulemaking.
Sherry & Dave - s/v Soggy Paws - Circumnavigating
S/V Soggy Paws - CSY 44 - Circumnavigate with Dave and Sherry McCampbell
Soggy Paws
*
Location: Marshall Islands til Jan 2014
Vessel Name: Soggy Paws
Vessel Make and Model: CSY 44 WT
__________________________________

Roger

[Auspicious]

Some additional information:

The underlying issue is the migration from symbol rate (how much data is moved) to bandwidth (how much frequency space is used). Most of the world has long since moved to frequency management by bandwidth. The United States lags behind in this regard. Both Pactor 3 (P3) and Pactor 4 (P4) take up the same bandwidth as a conventional SSB voice link. P4 uses that space more efficiently, transferring data at over twice the rate of P4.

Sailmail has updated their systems on the marine bands to P4. Many Winlink stations outside the United States have as well. Only the US continues to limit progress by using the archaic restriction of symbol rate.

Approval of this proposed rulemaking will make Pactor 4 available to cruisers in the US, and encourage continued development of new and faster data protocols and digital voice on the ham bands.

I strongly encourage US citizens to follow the links below to support RM-11708.

A sample statement of support, provided by Phil Sherrod W4PHS, follows the instructions.

Originally Posted by ”W4PHS”

1. The proposed change does not alter the bandwidth limits or the
frequencies available for digital use, so no new frequency space is being
used. It has no negative impact on any hams.

2. The use of Pactor 4 simply makes the use of existing bandwidth more
efficient, so additional traffic can be passed without allocating new
frequencies.

Phil
W4PHS

--- My comment ---

I strongly SUPPORT the proposal to remove the symbol rate limitation from
digital modes. This is an obsolete restriction that is holding back
progress on efficient use of digital communication on the ham bands.

The proposal has no negative impact on ham radio use. It does not increase
the bandwidth allowed for digital signals, and it does not alter the
frequency allocations allowed for digital transmissions. Acceptance of the
proposed rule change will have no negative impact on any ham.

The effect of the proposed rule change will allow more efficient use of the
available bandwidth. Simply put, it will allow more traffic to be passed
through the same bandwidth.

Please accept the proposed rule change and allow US hams to benefit from
modern digital modes being used regularly in virtually all other countries.

Thank you for your consideration,
Phil Sherrod, W4PHS

sail fast and eat well, dave KO4MI
Dave Skolnick S/V Auspicious
SSCA Board of Directors, Immediate Past President