06-16-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• ‘V* ; ,«■ /’- J Previously we spoke abo it the pending revision of the (City) Zoning Ordinance as regards height restrictions on amateur radio antenna support structures, i.e. towers. Based upon our discussion it appears that the impetus behind the ordinance revision is not any concern as to amateur radio towers, but a concern as to the impact of commercial radio towers such as those used in the PCS radio service. At your invitation I am writing this letter to provide some background about the amateur radio service, the special status of the amateur radio service and certain federal laws and r^ulations which affect the ability of local government to impose zoning restrictions on amateur radio tOA/ers. Specifically, I am referring to In Re: Federal Preemotiy of State and Lo^l Reoiulations Pertaining to Amateur Radio Facilities. 101 FCC 2d 92. F. Fed. Reoister 38.813 (1985) at 47 CFR Sec. 97.15(E) (1992) hereinafter (PRB-1). Amateur Radio is a federally regulated communications service under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission. Amateur radio operators are issued a license only after passing at least two examinations as to rules, regulations, electronic kno>v!edge, communications and operating skills. The licenses are issued by the FCC for the purpose of authorizing the transmission and reception of radio signals throughout the United States and the world. Amateur radio operators provide an invaluable public service to local, national and international communities in a number of ways, including national end civil defense, emergency communications assistance, and International relations. The FCC. which is charged with the overall responsibility to regulate interstate and foreign commerce in communications by wire and radio, has expressly recognized, in its rules, the need to encourage amateur radio communications and guarantee the '^•mateur radio operator sufficient avenues for overseas, emergency and experimental communications. Licensed amateur radio operators are authorized to use a wide variety of radio modes and frequencies ranging from just above the AM broadcast band (c^.g. KSTP AM is 1500 kilohertz) to the bottom edge of the visible light sp^trum. Each of these frequency groups which are called bands, have different characteristics and accordingly require different types and configurations of antennas. For example, medium frequency (MF) signals such as those just above KSTP AM require large antennas (133 feet on the 80 meter band) and are most usable during the hours or darkness. Medium frequency signals tend to be most effective for communications of 500- 750 miles or less. High Frequency (HF) is most commonly referred to as short wave communications. High Frequency signals have the capability of world-wide communications. Effective HF communications generally require multiple element antennas at a height of one radio wavelength or more. The most popular amateur HF band is 20 meters. One radio wavelength at 20 meters Is approximately 66 feet. An amateur seeking reliable amateur communicationc on the twenty meter band would generally require a three element rotatable antenna on a 66 foot support structure. HF communications are dependent upon reflecting or bouncing signals off a layer of the atmosphere called the ionosphere. Under proper conditions HF signals can literally skip over great distances alternately Douncing off the ionosphere and the earth. The height, gain (number of elements)