FCC actions & ham radio news
Headlines link to the original publisher. Updated recently.
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FCC in the Federal Register
- Implementation of the Final Acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference (Geneva, 2015) (WRC-15), Other Allocation Issues, and Related Rule Updates
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) modifies the United States Table of Frequency Allocations (U.S. Table) in the Commission's rules to implement certain spectrum allocation decisions from the International Telecommunication Union's World Radiocommunication Conference's 2015 Final Acts, including those for amateur radio, satellite services, and for aural broadcast auxiliary…
- Delete, Delete, Delete; Removal of Obsolete Regulations
In this document, Commission acts to eliminate certain outdated, obsolete, and unnecessary rules.
- Protecting Our Communications Networks by Promoting Transparency Regarding Foreign Adversary Control
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes to protect the Nation's communications networks against foreign adversary threats by proposing to expand foreign ownership disclosure requirements for covered Commission-issued licenses and authorizations. The proposed certification and information collection requirements would fill gaps in the Commission's existing rules and give the…
- Use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band; Correction
The Federal Communications Commission (Commission) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 13, 2024. The document addressed the transition of 5.9 GHz Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) operations from Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)-based technology to cellular-vehicle-to- everything (C-V2X)-based technology.
- Use of the 5.850-5.925 GHz Band
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopts rules and takes other steps to further address the transition of 5.9 GHz Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) operations from Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)-based technology to cellular-vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X)-based technology. Specifically, the Commission adopts technical and operational rules governing devices using…
- Space Innovation; Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the new information collection as a result of changes adopted in a Report and Order titled "Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age" (Orbital Debris Report and Order) and a Second Report and Order titled "Space Innovation; Mitigation…
- Space Innovation; Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age
In this document, the Space Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks to refresh the record concerning the rules proposed in a 2020 Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) adopted in the Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age rulemaking that sought comment on additional amendments to the Commission's rules related to satellite orbital debris mitigation.
- Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) discusses the adoption of an Order on Reconsideration (Orbital Debris Reconsideration Order), which addressed three petitions for reconsideration challenging the orbital debris mitigation rules adopted by the Commission in 2020. In the Orbital Debris Reconsideration Order, the Commission declined to modify, withdraw, or otherwise change the…
- Amateur Radio Service Rules To Permit Greater Flexibility in Data Communications
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) amends its amateur radio rules to eliminate the limitations on the symbol rate (also known as baud rate)--the rate at which the carrier waveform amplitude, frequency, and/or phase is varied to transmit information--applicable to data emissions in certain amateur bands. In place of the baud rate, the Commission sets a bandwidth limitation of…
- Amateur Radio Service Rules To Permit Greater Flexibility in Data Communications
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) that proposes to remove the baud rate limitation in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 meter band), 472-479 kHz (630 meter band), the very high frequency (VHF) bands, and the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band in the amateur radio service. The VHF bands with baud rates are the 6 meter band (50.1-51.0…
- Implementation of the Final Acts of the 2015 World Radio Communication Conference; Correction
This document corrects the preamble to a proposed rule published in the Federal Register of September 29, 2023, concerning implementation of certain allocation decisions from the Final Acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015. The document provided an incorrect comment date and reply comment date.
- Implementation of the Final Acts of the 2015 World Radio Communication Conference
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) proposes implementation of certain allocation decisions from the Final Acts of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15 Final Acts) concerning portions of the radio spectrum between 5330.5 kHz and 29.5 GHz, other spectrum allocation changes, and related updates to the Commission's service rules.
- Establishment of the Space Bureau and the Office of International Affairs and Reorganization of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Office of the Managing Director
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (the Commission or FCC) takes action to modernize and streamline its operations by making changes to its International Bureau as well as certain parts of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) and Office of Managing Director (OMD). In addition, we make other non- substantive rule revisions to reflect changes in Commission procedures and to modernize…
- Space Innovation; Facilitating Capabilities for In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeks comment through a Notice of Inquiry adopted by the FCC on August 5, 2022, on missions conducting in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) that may involve Commission licensing and rules, including the state of the industry, technological readiness, and what steps the Commission might take to facilitate progress and reduce barriers for…
- Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age
In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved, for a period of three years, the information collections associated with certain rules adopted in the Report and Order, Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age, which stated that the Commission would publish a document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those rules.
- Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100-3550 MHz Band
In this document, the Commission adopts changes to its rules to make 100 megahertz of mid-band spectrum in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band available for flexible use. It allocates the 3.45 GHz band to add a co- primary non-Federal fixed and mobile (except aeronautical mobile) allocation and adopted technical, licensing, and competitive bidding rules for this service largely consistent with its rules for other flexible-use…
- Completing the Transition to Electronic Filing, Licenses and Authorizations, and Correspondence in the Wireless Radio Services
In this Report and Order, the Commission finalizes its transition to electronic interactions for licenses in the Wireless Radio Services. Specifically, the E-Licensing Report and Order: Eliminates existing exemptions to electronic filing in the FCC's Universal Licensing System and require electronic filing in the Antenna Structure Registration system; requires electronic filing (and delivery of service) of pleadings…
- Petition for Reconsideration of Action in Proceedings
Petition for Reconsideration (Petition) has been filed in the Commission's proceeding by David R. Siddall, on behalf of ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio.
- Petitions for Reconsideration of Action in Proceedings
Petitions for Reconsideration (Petitions) have been filed in the Commission's proceeding by David Goldman, on behalf of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.; Audrey L. Allison, on behalf of The Boeing Company; Jennifer A. Manner, on behalf of EchoStar Satellite Services, LLC and Hughes Network Services, LLC; Mike Safyan, on behalf of Planet Labs Inc.; Ananda Martin, on behalf of Spire Global, Inc.; Elisabeth…
- Facilitating Shared Use in the 3100-3550 MHz Band
The Federal Communications Commission is correcting a final that appeared in the Federal Register on October 9, 2020. In the document, the Commission adopts changes to its rules to prepare the 3.45-3.55 GHz band for commercial wireless services. It removes the secondary, non-federal allocations in the 3.3-3.55 GHz band for radiolocation services and the amateur radio service. These services will continue in…
ARRL news
- The ARRL Solar Update
Weekly propagation outlook: a helpful sunspot group is rotating out of view, but HF should stay reasonable with solar flux near 100; unsettled geomagnetic periods are possible.
- eBay Restricts Listings of Radio Equipment, but Exempts Ham-Band-Only Gear
eBay tightened its rules for listing radio transmitters after new FCC rules took effect, but told ARRL that equipment operating only on amateur bands is exempt.
- Florida Hams Provide Communications Support During Hurricane Isaias
Volunteer operators in several Florida counties supported emergency communications during and after Hurricane Isaias.
- The ARRL Solar Update
Weekly propagation outlook: sunspot numbers and solar flux near or above 100 point to better conditions on the upper HF bands.
- The 2026 ARRL Online Auction Is Now Open
ARRL's 21st annual online auction ran through October 22 with more than 200 items, including reviewed gear and vintage books.
- ARRL Headquarters Closing Early on Friday, October 9, 2026
ARRL headquarters, its store and W1AW closed at noon Eastern on October 9 for a staff event.
- Radio Amateurs Prepare for Hurricane Isaias
The Hurricane Watch Net activated on 14.325 and 7.268 MHz to relay storm reports to the National Hurricane Center as Isaias approached the Gulf Coast.
- Watching the Gulf
The Hurricane Watch Net began monitoring a Gulf disturbance expected to become Tropical Storm Isaias, with a possible impact zone from Louisiana to Florida.
- 2026 Collegiate QSO Party is October 3 – 4
College and university radio clubs were on the air for the Collegiate QSO Party on October 3 and 4.
- Remembering Four Silent Keys
ARRL remembers four well-known amateurs who recently became Silent Keys, including former Rhode Island Section Manager Bob Beaudet, W1YRC.
- Video/Podcast with ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA
ARRL's CEO discussed Board of Directors highlights and international topics on an episode of The DX Mentor podcast.
- Will RADE Be the Next SSB?
A look at RADE, FreeDV's new machine-learning digital voice mode, and whether it could one day rival SSB on HF.
- FCC and HHS Initiate New Proceedings on RF Exposure
The FCC and HHS opened parallel comment periods on RF safety in September; ARRL is following both. Neither changes current amateur RF exposure rules yet.
- The ARRL Solar Update
Weekly propagation outlook: low solar activity with occasional C-class flares and a slight chance of minor radio blackouts.
- The ARRL Solar Update
Weekly propagation outlook: very low flare activity, with a coronal-hole wind stream keeping the geomagnetic field somewhat unsettled.