COLORADO COUNCIL OF AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS
FREQUENCY COORDINATION POLICIES
October 14, 2000
3. REPEATER COORDINATION GUIDELINES
b. Repeater System Coordination
d. Changes in Access Method, Height, Power, Frequency, or Location
6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COORDINATION HOLDERS
7. CANCELLATION OF COORDINATION
10. SHARED NON PROTECTED REPEATERS
The CCARC is an organization of amateur radio clubs, associations, and individuals incorporated as a non-profit group under the laws of the State of Colorado. The CCARC is a voluntary association of amateur radio operators, repeater system owners, and interested parties.
The CCARC has collectively determined that the coordination of repeater systems is essential to maximize the finite spectrum resources allocated to amateur radio and minimize the interference between systems. The success of the CCARC coordination effort is solely dependent on those amateurs who actively cooperate and participate in spectrum management and contribute to the coordination processes.
The Frequency Coordinator is elected by majority vote of the current CCARC general membership on even numbered years. The Frequency Coordination Committee is a standing committee of the CCARC consisting of the Chairman of CCARC, The Vice-chairman, and a member-at-large if appointed by the Chairman.
It is not the intent nor the
obligation of the CCARC to act as a spectrum enforcer ensuring coordination
compliance, rather it is the obligation of the individual coordination holder to
ensure their system's compliance with the terms of their coordination and to
provide updated and timely information when necessary.
All parties must realize that the amateur spectrum is a fragile resource and
abuse can spoil it for everyone now and in the future. Voluntary coordination by
its name implies cooperation. Any party wishing to develop and operate a
repeater system should feel obligated to seek the synergy of existing repeater
system operators through CCARC coordination, prior to placing any repeater
system in operation. Coordinated systems have the full support of other
coordinated systems.
The FCC has stated that where the transmission of a repeater causes harmful
interference to another repeater, the two station licensees are equally and
fully responsible for resolving the interference unless the operation of one
station is recommended by a frequency coordinator and the operation of the other
station is not. In that case, the licensee of the non-coordinated repeater has
the primary responsibility to resolve the interference.
The CCARC will accept application from any duly licensed individual or amateur
group and will issue a coordination in the form of certified Repeater System
Evaluation Form (RSE Form) based on the following policies and procedures.
However the CCARC reserves the right to deny requests for coordination to
applicants who refuse to abide by these CCARC Coordination Policies and
Procedures.
The CCARC coordinates established repeater pairs according to the Colorado Band
Plan outlined below. The CCARC will also attempt to deconflict and protect
repeater link frequencies when these frequencies are identified and actually in
use by the submitting system. Such link frequencies and any access control
information for them will remain unpublished and be available only to the
Frequency Coordinator and within the CCARC Coordination Committee.
The boundaries of the CCARC coordination responsibility are only within the
borders of the State of Colorado. The CCARC Frequency Coordinator will work with
other frequency coordinators for those states having contiguous boundaries.
1. Applicants. Applicants initiate requests for coordination via preliminary, informal discussions with the Frequency Coordinator, and finally by asking for and filling out a RSE Form. This form must be completely and accurately filled out for all requested information. The application is signed by the requestor attesting to the accuracy of all supplied information and forwarded to the Frequency Coordinator for review and approval.
2. Frequency Coordinator. The Frequency Coordinator conducts informal discussions with potential new system applicants to assist in frequency selection, provides a feel for the types of engineering data required for a coordination, and answers preliminary questions a new system owner/trustee may have.
The Frequency Coordinator also reviews coordination applications, determines whether the preliminary data discussed in informal conversations and that included on the RSE Form is complete and that the request for coordination, as received, can be accommodated. The Frequency Coordinator performs engineering studies to assure the compatibility of adjacent and co-channel systems.
3. Coordination Committee. The Coordination Committee receives the preliminary data for a new coordination request from the Frequency Coordinator at the time that a formal application is received. The Coordination Committee ensures that CCARC guidelines and policies are followed, and that a spirit of fairness is consistently applied for all applications.
4. Local Area Liaisons. The Frequency Coordinator may use Local Area Liaisons to assist his engineering studies when determining compatibility for local areas he or she may not be familiar with.
5. Adjacent State/Region Coordinators. The Frequency Coordinator will discuss with the appropriate coordinator any request that he or she feels requires adjacent state/region coordination.
All new coordination applications shall indicate the availability of a form of access control such as CTCSS, DCS, Frequency Shift Data, DTMF, etc., except where an applicant can clearly demonstrate that COS operation will not cause interference.
All system coordinations are
for specific:
1. Frequency pairs using standard offsets
2. Transmitter location (latitude and longitude)
3. Effective Radiated Power (ERP)
4. Radiation pattern (Use of directional antennas may be a required part of any
given coordination)
5. Elevation (AMSL, AGL, HAAT)
6. Individual or designated trustee
7. Access/interference limiting measures such as CTCSS encode and decode usage.
8. A two-year period of time, with renewal contingent upon receipt of a
completed and signed biannually submitted RSE Form. Significant changes to
system parameters identified on a biannual RSE Form may require re-coordination.
Two-meter coordinations are reviewed biannually on odd numbered years. All other coordinations are reviewed on even numbered years.
The CCARC strongly promotes the following spectrum utilization concepts:
a. All system owners/trustees are strongly encouraged to use access control/interference limiting methods to limit interference among systems.
b. Some new coordinations may require the use of access controls as a condition of coordination to limit interference now or in the future.
The CCARC reserves the
following system coordination rights to:
1. Deny requests for coordination in congested bands or require the use of less
congested bands. However, this action will only be taken after attempting to
reasonably accommodate the request considering current technological
capabilities.
2. Set aside frequencies for certain operating modes.
3. Limit antenna height and ERP.
4. Require special methods of access/interference limitation techniques such as:
deviation limitation, directional antenna patterns, CTCSS tone encode and
decode, Digital Coded Squelch, precise frequency control, etc. as a prerequisite
for a coordination.
Repeater coordination information is considered public information. However,
exact system parameters, especially control information, and the exact system
location will not be revealed, for security reasons, outside the purview of the
Frequency Coordinator and the Coordination Committee.
The following are CCARC
guidelines for sharing the spectrum when coordinating repeater pairs:
1. The Frequency Coordinator will use his or her best engineering judgment to
maintain system separation to minimize adjacent and co-channel interference. He
or she will use such factors as the following: mileage separation, system
overlap, ERP, existing coordinated adjacent and co-channel systems, propagation
characteristics peculiar to the Colorado area, HAAT, etc.
2. Receive coverage of a repeater is a large factor in determining the coverage
of a system. Those systems with a number of voting receivers, receivers at
elevations higher than the repeater transmitter, or systems operating with
excessive transmitter power should not be afforded extended coordination
protection.
3. Repeater DXing by users may cause unintended interference to adjacent or
co-channel systems, but is not a matter for CCARC action.
4. System users located at high elevations must expect some co-channel or
adjacent channel interference and take local measures to limit such
interference. Use of directional antennas or tone decode features may limit such
interference.
Coordination is based upon
information provided at the time of submission by the applicant and contained on
the CCARC RSE Form. If a coordination holder "significantly" * changes the
location, access method, antenna height or pattern, Effective Radiated Power,
frequency, or other operating parameters of his or her system, the repeater will
be required to be re coordinated. The CCARC Frequency Coordinator shall be
notified in writing on a new RSE Form. Re-coordination is required to verify
that interference to or from other repeaters does not occur. Re-coordination is
not to allow another repeater or proposed repeater or new repeater system owner
to be assigned to the frequency. See the Transfer Of Coordination, Section 8
below.
Note: * "Significantly", as used above, is defined as a power change of 1
dB, an antenna height change of more than 25 feet or a horizontal move of more
than 1500 feet. For the 1dB power change calculation, the CCARC uses a factor of
.75 or 1.25 of the original power. For example, a 100-watt ERP station
multiplied by .75 would be 75 watts, or multiplied by 1.25 would be 125 watts.
No fees will be collected at this time. However, the CCARC reserves the right to collect fees for processing original, modified, or renewal applications in the future.
An applicant for coordination may request a specific frequency or request assistance in selecting one from the Frequency Coordinator.
The preliminary discussions between an interested party/group and the Frequency Coordinator may be in the form of informal phone calls, email, or US mail.
The following areas must be considered:
1. Band/frequency
2. Location-Latitude/Longitude
3. Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT)
4. Realistic expected system usage, average in-use time per day
5. Acceptability or non-acceptability of co-channel operation
6. Type of access control-a commonly used access control method, such as
CTCSS or DCS, must be available for system usage
7. Expected coverage area.
8. The potential for interference
9. For those proposed systems near a border, Frequency Coordinator discussion
with the adjacent coordinator
10. Discussions with local area liaisons as required by the Frequency Coordinator
An individual or group makes a formal coordination request by asking for a RSE Form from the Frequency Coordinator. This request for an RSE Form must be in writing and addressed to the CCARC Frequency Coordinator. A written request should only be made after the successful completion of the preliminary discussions described above.
Requests for coordination
received by the Frequency Coordinator shall be acted upon on a first come, first
served basis. In case of conflicting applications, the verifiable date of a
written request for a RSE Form will be used to resolve the conflict.
When a written request is made, a very tentative agreement exists. The Frequency
Coordinator responds to the written request with any additional questions he or
she may have for the applicant. When any additional questions are satisfactorily
answered, the Frequency Coordinator responds within 14 days by sending a RSE
Form.
The Frequency Coordinator advises the Coordination Committee of the new coordination request when he or she sends the RSE Form to the applicant.
The completely filled out and signed RSE Form must be returned to the Frequency Coordinator within 14 days.
When a completed and signed RSE Form is received and verified by the Frequency Coordinator, and when there are no adverse comments by the Coordination Committee, the system receives a final coordination subject to the following:
1. A construction period is established for a period of 6 months to allow activation of the system. The "no activity" rule described below for system de-coordination does not apply during this period.
2. The system owner/trustee must notify the Frequency Coordinator in writing when the system is activated.
3. A coordinated system with no user activity for a 90-day period is subject to decoordination, requiring a new full recoordination process.
4. System owners/trustees must provide timely responses to the Frequency Coordinator's request for biannual recertification.
5. For co-channel authorizations, the new system should request co-channel user agreements letters. If agreement cannot be obtained from existing co-channel users, and the request/assignment is viable in the Frequency Coordinators judgment, the Frequency Coordinator may initiate a test period to evaluate co-channel operation.
6. In special cases, as determined by the Frequency Coordinator, full-time CTCSS encode and/or decode may be required.
7. Any other special conditions that are deemed appropriate by the Frequency Coordinator.
Upon satisfactory completion of the above actions, The Frequency Coordinator will mark the RSE Form approved, sign, and date the form. This certified RSE Form will be sent back to the applicant within 14 days for his or her records. A file copy of the certified RSE Form will be maintained in the Frequency Coordinator files.
It is the responsibility of
the coordination holder to keep the CCARC informed on the status of the system
by having an up-to-date RSE Form on file with the Frequency Coordinator at all
times.
All communication regarding coordination, except any early preliminary
discussions for a new system, shall be in writing. Verbal communication shall
not be binding. It is the system owner or trustees responsibility to ensure the
CCARC is in receipt of any correspondence.
Absent special circumstances,
any correspondence from the CCARC shall be directed to the coordination holder.
To facilitate this correspondence the address stated on the RSE Form must be
his/her home or personal post office box or if an organization, the
organizations official address. A trustee or designated second point-of -contact
and phone number must also be listed.
Where an organization is the sponsor of a repeater, the coordination holder for
such a repeater must be an individual of proper amateur radio license class
appointed by the organization to act as system trustee. Notification of any
change to the certified RSE Form or system status must be by a new CCARC RSE
Form submitted and signed by the system owner or if an organization, the
trustee.
Coordination holders must sign and return the biannual RSE Form with any updated
system data.
Coordination holders operate in a spirit of good faith to resolve any interference problems being experienced with other coordinated systems.
Any significant station
parameter change, as specified on the approved RSE Form, made without prior
approval by the CCARC can result in cancellation of the coordination. (See the
Changes to Access Method, Height, Power, Frequency, or Location paragraph
above).
The Frequency Coordinator may, at his or her discretion, cancel the coordination
of a system for the following reasons:
1. For failure to occupy and utilize the frequencies as described by the RSE
Form for a period of 6 months during construction, without the prior approval of
the Frequency Coordinator.
2. For failure to notify the
Frequency Coordinator, within the 6-month construction period, that the system
has been activated.
3. For no user activity on a system for a 90-day period.
4. For operating in violation
of CCARC coordination policies.
5. For operating in violation of established CCARC Band Plans.
6. For operating in violation of FCC rules.
7. For any system not
operating according to good engineering and operating practices. Such poor
engineering and operating practices include but are not limited to: over
deviation, operating off frequency, operating an excessively unbalanced system
(high transmitter power compared to receiver coverage), etc.
8. For failure to renew a coordination during the biannual recertification
process using a completed CCARC RSE Form. This form must be updated and returned
to the Frequency Coordinator within 30 days, at least every two years during the
biannual review period.
A 90 day grace period will exist after a coordination is canceled wherein the
holder may renew the certificate by reapplying using a CCARC RSE Form.
A coordination for an existing frequency can be transferred to another individual or group provided:
1. Both parties are in
agreement.
2. The new proposed coordination holder agrees to abide by the CCARC
Coordination Polices and Procedures and applies to the CCARC for coordination.
3. There are no reasonable objections to the transfer by other coordination
holders of the CCARC.
4. There will be no changes in the operating parameters of the system.
5. The new coordination holder agrees to the biannual recertification process.
The following is the CCARC
policy regarding Packet Radio Systems:
1. The CCARC shall not attempt to issue a coordination for any packet system,
except when the proposed system requires:
a. Use of a standard repeater pair or link frequencies.
b. Use of spectrum previously and or historically coordinated for non-packet
repeater systems lying outside of established and recognized Packet Radio
spectrum.
2. The CCARC shall protect existing co-site and adjacent frequency repeaters
from the effects of system performance degradation caused by Packet Radio
Systems. Conventional FCC interference criteria will be used to determine
degradation.
3. The CCARC shall work with the ARRL, regional coordination organizations, as
well as local and regional Packet Radio organizations in the development of band
plans that will set out specific band for Packet Radio communications.
4. The CCARC shall not make any attempt to list; or other wise recognize any
DIGI/Packet system and or frequency of operation in its data base or publication
other than those systems that utilize standard band plan frequencies and have a
valid coordination.
5. In congested areas, packet usage should be encouraged to stay within the
Colorado normal two-meter packet frequency allocation of 144.900 to 145.000 MHz.
The Frequency Coordinator has
established several Shared Non Protected (SNP) repeater pairs, which do not
require formal coordination. Individual users determine the best frequency and
CTCSS tone for their usage but may request assistance from the Frequency
Coordinator. SNP systems may be registered by frequency and CTCSS tone to
assist in deconfliction. It is the users responsibility to keep this information
current. Other guidelines for the use of these frequencies are:
1. All users of these frequencies shall share the use of the frequency.
2. Users receive no protection from other co-channel users.
3. All systems shall use CTCSS access or other approved methods of limited
access. No COR operation of any kind is permitted. The Frequency Coordinator
shall keep track of the CTCSS codes and SNP frequency in use when the
information is provided to him or her to avoid duplication and to make this
information available to all those requesting the information.
4. Operation of SNP systems shall be on a non-interference basis with existing
coordinated systems.
5. Use of SNP frequencies shall be restricted to only voice and non- linked
modes.
6. The SNP pairs using standard frequency paring are:
53.070-, 145.19-*, 145.205-*, 146.775-, 147.165+, 147.315+, 224.040-, 224.280-*,
224.440-, 224.500-, 224.540-, 224.660-, 224.920-, 447.050-, 447.300-*,
448.050-*, 448.325-*, 448.825-*, 449.275-*, 449.425-*,
* = Coverage may not extend across state borders, except that asterisked pairs
may extend into Wyoming as they are shared for the same purpose with Wyoming.
All CCARC coordinated repeater systems and any link frequencies are expected to adhere to the following technical standards:
a. Maintain frequency accuracy to .005 percent.
b. Limit retransmit frequency deviation to a maximum of 4.5 kHz
c. Limit maximum ERP to 400 watts.
e. Maintain a well-balanced system with transmit and receive coverage fairly equal.
The frequency ranges listed below are all repeater output frequencies within the State of Colorado.
Ten Meters: 100 KHz offset, low in-high out, 29.610 to 29.690 MHz
Six Meters: 1 MHz or 1.7 MHz offset, low in-high out
51.62 to 51.98 MHz
52.5 to 52.98 MHz
53.5 to 53.98 MHz
Two Meters: 600 KHz offset, (Existing reverse pairs previously coordinated are exempt.)
145.100-145.490 MHz, low in--high out, 15 KHz spacing
146.610-146.985.000 MHz low in--high out, 15 KHz spacing
147.000-147.390 MHz high in--low out, 15 KHz spacing
222 MHz: 1.6 MHz offset, low in-high out, 223.85 to 224.98 MHz
440 MHz: 5 MHz offset, low in--high out, 447.000 to 449.995 MHz, 25 KHz spacing
902 MHz: 12 MHz offset, low in-high out, 918 to 921 MHz
1240 MHz: 12 MHz offset, low in-high out, 1282 to 1288 MHz, 25 KHz spacing
2300 MHz: 104 MHz offset, Low in-high out, 2410 to 2413 MHz, 25 KHz spacing
Any applicant whose request
for coordination has been denied by the Frequency Coordinator or Coordination
Committee may appeal the decision using one of the following procedures.
Option 1. The applicant may appeal the decision of the Frequency
Coordinator or Committee by submitting a written request to the Frequency
Coordinator stating that the applicant would like to bring additional
information and argument to the attention of the CCARC Board of Directors. The
Frequency Coordinator shall schedule time during the next regular Board meeting
for the applicant to present his or her argument for reconsideration by the
Board. After hearing all pertinent information the Board shall vote on the
applicants appeal. The simple majority vote by the Board members present shall
determine the outcome.
Option 2. The applicant may appeal the decision of the Frequency
Coordinator or Coordination Committee to the regular members of CCARC who are
coordination holders by submitting a written request to the Frequency
Coordinator stating that the applicant wishes to appeal the decision to the
CCARC general membership.
The Frequency Coordinator will request from the applicant that he/she supply in
writing all arguments and information relating to the matter for dissemination
to the membership.
The Frequency Coordinator shall make available his or her arguments in writing,
and ask the Coordination Committee to supply in writing all arguments and
information used in determining the reason for denial. This information will be
disseminated to the membership identified above via US mail.
After receiving the requested information, the Frequency Coordinator shall
determine the cost for reproducing and mailing the information to the
membership. One half of this cost must be submitted by the appellant prior to
the Frequency Coordinator proceeding with the appeal. The other one half of the
cost will be paid from CCARC funds.
The Frequency Coordinator will then reproduce all material and disseminate the
material along with instructions and a voting card to all current regular
members holding a valid coordination from the CCARC. The members will be
instructed to read the materials and indicate their decision on the voting card.
The members will be instructed to return their votes to the Frequency
Coordinator within a 14-day period of time. The simple majority of the cards
returned will determine the outcome.
AGL-Above Ground Level
AMSL-Above Mean Sea Level
CCARC-Colorado Council of Amateur Radio Clubs
COR-Carrier Operated Relay
COS-Carrier Operated Squelch
CTCSS-Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System
DCS-Digital Coded Squelch
DTMF-Dual tone, multi frequency
ERP-Effective Radiated Power
HAAT-Height Above Average Terrain
RSE Form-Repeater System Evaluation Form
SNP-Shared Non-protected Pair
Revision 4