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Difference between revisions of "Narrowbanding"

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"Narrowbanding" and "refarming" are terms heard quite often but just as often misunderstood. Both refer to the FCC plan initiated in 1992 to increase the available spectrum in the VHF and UHF land mobile bands. Narrowbanding should not be confused with 800 MHz [[rebanding]].
 
"Narrowbanding" and "refarming" are terms heard quite often but just as often misunderstood. Both refer to the FCC plan initiated in 1992 to increase the available spectrum in the VHF and UHF land mobile bands. Narrowbanding should not be confused with 800 MHz [[rebanding]].
  
After 15 years, numerous Petitions for Reconsideration and other challenges, the final FCC plan was decreed by the Commission early in 2007, with the setting of firm dates for the transition. The proceeding enacts a maximum 12.5 kHz bandwidth across the land mobile bands between 150-174 and 421-512 MHz, and increases available channels by creating new ones between existing channels.
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After 15 years, numerous Petitions for Reconsideration and other challenges, the final FCC plan was decreed by the Commission early in 2007, with the setting of firm dates for the transition. The proceeding enacts a maximum 12.5 kHz bandwidth across the private land mobile bands between 150-174 and 421-512 MHz, and increases available channels by creating new ones between existing channels.
  
  
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VHF land mobile narrowband uses 7.5 kHz spacing. Existing VHF channels will remain, with new ones - already in use in some areas for the past few years, mostly in the public safety portion of the band - created between existing channels; for example, 160.230 and 160.245 remain, with 160.2375 created between them. This creates significant problems for many users of programmable radios and scanners, since nearly all are based on 5 or 6.25 kHz channel step size, and few of the designated 7.5 kHz channels in Part 90 can be reached with such channel steps. Makers responding to this challenge have found it necessary to implement 2.5 kHz channel steps to reach all of the defined channels in the allocation table. Buyers of new radios and scanners should check to determine whether they can tune to the new channels or not.
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VHF private land mobile narrowband uses 7.5 kHz spacing. Existing VHF channels will remain, with new ones - already in use in some areas for the past few years, mostly in the public safety portion of the band - created between existing channels; for example, 160.230 and 160.245 remain, with 160.2375 created between them. This creates significant problems for many users of programmable radios and scanners, since nearly all are based on 5 or 6.25 kHz channel step size, and few of the designated 7.5 kHz channels in Part 90 can be reached with such channel steps. Makers responding to this challenge have found it necessary to implement 2.5 kHz channel steps to reach all of the defined channels in the allocation table. Buyers of new radios and scanners should check to determine whether they can tune to the new channels or not.
  
  

Revision as of 13:53, 14 November 2011

"Narrowbanding" and "refarming" are terms heard quite often but just as often misunderstood. Both refer to the FCC plan initiated in 1992 to increase the available spectrum in the VHF and UHF land mobile bands. Narrowbanding should not be confused with 800 MHz rebanding.

After 15 years, numerous Petitions for Reconsideration and other challenges, the final FCC plan was decreed by the Commission early in 2007, with the setting of firm dates for the transition. The proceeding enacts a maximum 12.5 kHz bandwidth across the private land mobile bands between 150-174 and 421-512 MHz, and increases available channels by creating new ones between existing channels.


The official timetable is:

01/01/2011 - All new applications must have a maximum bandwidth of 12.5 kHz; no further modifications to existing wideband licenses after that date which will increase their broadcast footprint; all manufacturing of 25 kHz equipment to cease.

01/01/2013 - All current licensees must be fully operational on 12.5 kHz equipment.


While 12.5 kHz channel spacing is widely mentioned in communications media, there is usually no corresponding mention of the difference in channel spacing between VHF and UHF, which leads to the erroneous assumption that 12.5 kHz will be the standard channel spacing across the board. In truth, 12.5 kHz channel spacing (and eventually 6.25 kHz) only affects UHF between 420 and 512 MHz.


VHF private land mobile narrowband uses 7.5 kHz spacing. Existing VHF channels will remain, with new ones - already in use in some areas for the past few years, mostly in the public safety portion of the band - created between existing channels; for example, 160.230 and 160.245 remain, with 160.2375 created between them. This creates significant problems for many users of programmable radios and scanners, since nearly all are based on 5 or 6.25 kHz channel step size, and few of the designated 7.5 kHz channels in Part 90 can be reached with such channel steps. Makers responding to this challenge have found it necessary to implement 2.5 kHz channel steps to reach all of the defined channels in the allocation table. Buyers of new radios and scanners should check to determine whether they can tune to the new channels or not.


In the UHF band, existing channels will remain as will existing low-power offset channels; the low-power offset channels will for the most part become normal channels like any other although some will become designated low-power channels. Between these frequencies will be created new channels with 6.25 kHz spacing.


Examples of how frequencies will appear in the refarmed bands are:

* VHF (150 - 174 MHz) *
154.4000 - Existing frequency
154.4075 - New frequency
154.4150 - Existing frequency
154.4225 - New frequency
154.4300 - Existing frequency
154.4375 - New frequency
154.4450 - Existing frequency

* UHF (420 - 512 MHz) *
453.30000 - Existing frequency
453.30625 - New 6.25 kHz frequency
453.31250 - Existing low-power offset frequency
453.31875 - New 6.25 kHz frequency
453.32500 - Existing frequency


While 12.5/6.25 kHz was originally considered "across the board", 7.5 kHz spacing was eventually chosen for VHF to minimize the impact on existing licensees; with the exception of eventually having to use narrowband-capable equipment after a certain date, existing licensees will not have to change frequencies. To keep it simple many users are simply retuning existing transmitters to a lower deviation setting so as not to go beyond the new channel limits until such time as they acquire new equipment. It is questionable whether this is legal, as stations are required to use equipment operating within an FCC grant of equipment authorization, and few older transmitters are certified for operation to narrow band specifications. It's hoped that FCC enforcement won't be called upon to shut down public safety and commercial operators whose emissions are within limits except that the transmitters aren't certified for the new emission type.


FAQ

  • Narrowbanding does not affect amateur radio.
  • Narrowbanding does not affect GMRS.
  • Narrowbanding does not affect FRS. FRS has always been narrowband.
  • Narrowbanding does not affect MURS. Three of the MURS channels have always been narrowband. It is optional on the other two.
  • Narrowbanding does not affect VHF marine radio. It has its own splinter channel plan. See USCG Narrowband VHF Maritime Channels.
  • Narrowbanding does not affect 800 MHz and is not the same as rebanding.
  • Narrowbanding does not affect VHF low band 30-50 MHz, mid band 72-76 MHz or the 220-222 MHz band.
  • Narrowbanding does not affect the federal government land mobile bands (138-144, 148-150.75, 162-173.2, 173.4-174, and 406.1-420 MHz). They were nawrrowbanded years ago. Their deadline was in 2008.

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