FCC Record, Volume 27, No. 11, Pages 8850 to 9847, July 30 - August 17, 2012 Page: 8,926

Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
July 31, 2012
DA 12-1226
Mr. Bryan D. Boyle
102 Juliet Road
Morrisville, PA 19067
Mr. H. R. Jim Dixon
34907 Highway 41
Coarsegold, CA 93614
Re: Petition for rulemaking filed February 2, 2012
Dear Messrs. Boyle and Dixon:
This is in response to your petition for rulemaking dated February 2, 2012 requesting that
the Commission initiate a rulemaking proceeding to designate a frequency in the 144 MHz (2
Meter) band of the Amateur Radio Service as a nationwide emergency calling frequency.'
Specifically, you request that the Commission amend the amateur service rules to specify the
frequency 146.550 MHz as a "non-exclusive nationwide Amateur Radio Service emergency
communications channel using FM wideband modulation." You argue that other services, such
as the Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service, the Aviation Service and the Maritime Service, have
specific frequencies set aside for emergency communications and that use of these channels "to
good effect by those in distress, [and that this] is a testament to the need for individual services to
have a readily-accessible and publicized" emergency communications channel.' For the reasons
set forth below, we deny the petition.
The amateur service rules authorize an amateur station to transmit two-way messages
necessary to meet essential communication needs and to facilitate relief actions.' The rules also
authorize an amateur station to transmit one-way messages necessary to providing emergency
communications.5 These messages be transmitted on any frequency authorized the control
operator of the amateur station transmitting the messages.6 Additionally, the rules require that, at
all times and on all frequencies, each control operator must give priority to stations providing
' See Petition to define a nationwide emergency frequency in the table of VHF frequency assignments in
the Amateur Radio Service ("Part 97" operations) filed by Bryan Boyle and H. R. Jim Dixon (filed Feb. 2,
2012).
2Id. at 10.
SSee id at2.
' See 47 C.F.R. 97.11 l(aX2).
SSee 47 C.F.R. 97.11 I(b)(4).
6 See 47 C.F.R. 97.9(a).

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