for "any digital code" above 50 MHz.
But below 50 MHz, we can't use "any digital code," and can't use more than 900-Hz shift for Baudot, ASCII or A MTO R. That interpretation would mean that the new wording says that it's now illegal to use a Bell 202 modem with 1000-Hz shift below 50 MHz. A few of us have been on 28-MHz packet radio using Bell 202's for groundwave and skywave tests.
To add to the confusion, we are now forced to interpret packet radio (as we are practicing it in the U.S.) as "ASCII" below 50 MHz and as "any digital code" above 50 MHz in order to obey the rules as now written.
So, I believe that the 900-Hz shift restriction to the three specified codes at the higher speeds may be inadvertent because as I understand the FCC's intent they were hoping to clean up the wording and make the same speed limits apply to all three specified codes. I have discussed this with Perry Williams, W1UED the ARRL Washington Coordinator. Perry suggested that I get in touch with the FCC on Monday, February 14 and see what can be done. (Due to the snow here, that may have to wait a day because Monday has been announced as a "liberal leave" day.) Perry will be here in Washington on Wednesday to discuss it further if necessary. If I can present the case properly, the FCC could issue an "errata" to ease/eliminate the problem caused by the new wording.
73, Paul, W4RI
Before the ........................................................PR
Federal Communications Commission ............Fcc 83-36
Washington, DC 20554....................................32687In the Matter of...................................)
Authorization of the digital code.........) RM-4122
"AMTOR" for use by stations in the....)
Amateur Radio Service.ORDER
Adopted: January 27, 1983 .......... Released: February 8, 1983
By the Commission: Commissioner Sharp concurring in the result.
Introduction
1. The Commission has before it a petition for rule making, RM-4122, submitted by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. (the League) and received by the Commission on May 26, 1982. The petition requests " ... that the Commission amend Section 97-69 of its Rules to permit transmission by amateurs of the digital teleprinter code specified in Recommendation No. 476-2 (1978) of the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR), known in the Amateur Radio Service as 'AMTOR,L in the amateur high frequency bands." 1/ The petition describes AMTOR as "... an