Minnesota Repeater Council

MINNESOTA REPEATER COUNCIL (MRC)

Member of Mid America Coordination Council (MACC)

Frequency Coordination Policies

With revisions through 09/23/95

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Subject Page Number

Frequency Coordination Objectives.................... 4

Frequency Coordination Goals.......................…..4 & 5

Definition of terms used in coordination............. 5 & 6

Types of Stations Coordinated......................……7

Recognition of Digital Communications...............7 & 8

Recognition of FM voice simplex...................... ..8 & 9

Frequency Coordination areas in State.............….9 & 10

Frequency Assignments

10 meters......................................10

6 meters...................................... 10

2 meters

Standard repeater pairs.............10

Shared Non-protected (SNP) pair.....11

222 Mhz band...............................11 & 12.

440 Mhz band

Auxiliary and control links........12

Standard Repeater pairs.............12

Fast scan TV repeater................13

900 Mhz band...............................13

Protection by Geographical spacing.................. 14 thru 16

Frequency assignments - General

Time limit to get new station going........... 17

Time limit for existing coordination.......... 17

Continuation of assignment..................…..17

In writing policy...........................………..17

Conditions of assignment....................…...18

Data needed for coordination................….18

Output power and HAAT definitions........ 18

"First on frequency" principle..............…..19

Changes in coordinated station..............…19

Status of re-coordinated station............….19

Shutting down a coordinated station..........20

Validity of assignments made before 4/14/84... 20

Repeater Input frequency interference.......20

Transfer of repeater assignment............... .20

Closed repeaters............................……….20

Repeater trustee responsibility..............….21

Participation in coordination activities......21

Table of Contents – continued

Repeater De-coordination procedures...............21 & 22

Repeater Station good operating practices........23

Interference to a Coordinated repeater station...23 & 24

"Harmful Interference" definition............. 24

Interference arbitration procedures................ 24 thru 26

Changes to this policy.............................……26

Minnesota Repeater Council

Frequency Coordination Policies

I. Objectives

The objective of these frequency coordination policies shall be to allocate the available Amateur Radio frequency spectrum so as to provide a minimum of interference between owners and users of repeating stations, auxiliary link stations and control stations in and adjacent

to the State of Minnesota.

II. Goals

II.

It shall be the goal of the Minnesota Repeater Council (MRC) appointed Repeater Frequency Coordinator to provide the coordination necessary between operating groups to assure operation within the "spirit" of Amateur Radio. In all cases, the Repeater Frequency Coordinator cannot

and should not interfere with the internal operating policies of the individual group. The coordinator's purpose is only to provide a set of frequencies or frequency, if available, which allows the group to develop and implement its operating policies.

Because the frequencies available for Amateur Radio repeaters and repeater linking activities are a limited resource, the frequency coordination procedures should be structured in such a way as to provide access to a repeater frequency pair by any group demonstrating its desire to assist the entire coordination process through its cooperation.

The MRC Repeater Frequency Coordinator coordinates repeater and link frequencies on the basis of making maximum frequency utilization of the various Amateur Radio bands. The Repeater Frequency Coordinator should not honor requests for repeater pairs that are contrary to the MRC recommended plans of spacing, power, or location. More than one input or one output frequency for any repeater system on any one amateur radio band is not recommended.

The MRC recognizes two fundamental motivations for establishment of an amateur radio repeater station:

1) As a service to other amateurs living or traveling in a

defined service area.

2) As an exercise in individual achievement on the part of the

station operator(s).

Both of these motivations are declared equally valid and in the traditional spirit of amateur radio. However, in cases where these two rationales are in conflict, the motivation toward service must prevail over the individual achievement motivation. For example, the desire of an operator to set up a new repeater, largely for reasons of self achievement, in an area already well served by existing repeaters, must be accommodated in a way that does not detract from the existing

service area in terms of co-channel or adjacent channel interference.

Most large cities already have enough repeaters for both emergency communications and ragchewing. Therefore, small towns and rural areas that are greatly removed from these large cities may take priority in allocation of available frequency pairs.

III. Definitions

A) OPEN REPEATER - A system whose use by transient operators is

welcomed and encouraged.

B) CLOSED REPEATER - A system whose use by transient operators is

neither welcomed or encouraged.

C) CTCSS - Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch Systems such as Private

Line (PL) , Channel Guard (CG), Quiet Channel (QC), etc.

D) AUTOPATCH - An automatic means of effecting a telephone

interconnect using a repeater station.

E) REPEATER SYSTEM - A device or combination of devices, in FIXED

locations for receiving radio signals from a Base, Mobile or

Portable station and automatically transmitting corresponding

radio signals which have been amplified, reshaped, or both for

the purpose of extending communication range.

F) REPEATER FREQUENCY COORDINATOR - The Repeater Frequency Coordi-

nator, appointed by the Minnesota Repeater Council (MRC), is the

recognized Repeater Frequency Coordinator in the State of

Minnesota. This coordinator may appoint district or sub-band

assistant coordinators, but the MRC appointed Repeater Frequen-

cy Coordinator will be responsible for the final approval on

all matters of repeater frequency coordination in the state of

Minnesota.

G) REPEATER TRUSTEE - The trustee (or the case of club repeaters,

the appointed trustee) is the holder of record of a frequency

coordination. All requests for coordination or for changes

in listing, callsign, or sponsorship or trustee information for

a repeater or link must be submitted in writing over the

signature of the trustee.

H) SHARED-NON-PROTECTED REPEATER - A repeater operating on a

frequency pair that is assigned without any reference to

geographical spacing between repeaters operating on the

same frequency pair.

I) SIGNIFICANT CHANGE - A significant change is defined as a

antenna or power change of greater than 1 db, a change in

antenna height of over 50 feet, or moving the station location

more than 2 miles. A 1 db change is a factor change (multipli-

er) of greater than 1.25.

J) ACTIVE REPEATER - An active repeater must have all of the

following characteristics:

1) Available for use (turned on and conforming to MRC technical

standards) by the general amateur public or, in the case of

a closed repeater by club members only, on its coordinated

paired input and output frequencies for a total of at least

305 days per year, excepting the first year of operation,

and

2) the repeater trustee must have responded to the annual

repeater information request mailed by the MRC Repeater

Frequency coordinator, and

3) the repeater system must have adhered to the information

provided in the coordination request form, regarding

location, HAAT, ERP, type of access, etc. All changes to

the information on this form MUST be provided to the

Repeater Frequency Coordinator within 30 days of that

change.

K) INACTIVE REPEATER - Any repeater system that does not meet the

definition of an active repeater will be considered in-active

and is subject to de-coordination. A repeater system outage

that will last beyond 60 days must be reported to the MRC

Repeater Frequency Coordinator or the repeater system will be

considered to be in-active.

III. What type of stations are coordinated by MRC

III.

The MRC Repeater Frequency Coordinator coordinates only the types of FIXED amateur radio transmitting facilities in those Amateur Radio segments authorized by the FCC for:

1) Repeater stations

2) Control stations

3) Auxiliary link stations

V. Recognition of Digital Communications (Packet radio)

The MRC recognizes organized Statewide Digital Communications organizations, recognizes the frequencies currently used for digital communications (such as packet radio), and permits the RECOGNIZED Digital Groups the task of ASSIGNING and DELEGATING frequencies for digital systems and operations on these SIMPLEX frequencies. (It should be noted that a Packet Digipeater or node station is considered a simplex operating system.)

Digital systems utilizing FM repeater input AND/OR output pairs are classified as FM repeaters, operating Digital, and therefore must be coordinated by the MRC Repeater Frequency Coordinator as for any other FM repeater. All rules of repeater frequency coordination including the accepted standards of frequency and bandwidth, mileage spacing between repeaters on the same frequency and operation with lack of interference to users on adjacent frequencies must be followed. Cross-band repeaters operating in a digital mode on FM repeater or auxiliary link frequencies are also considered repeaters and must be frequency coordinated.

Digital systems that operate SIMPLEX in the auxiliary and control frequency ranges of 446.025 to 446.200 Mhz that are normally coordinated by the MRC repeater frequency coordinator are expected to ask for frequency coordination BEFORE THESE DIGITAL OPERATIONS ARE STARTED to eliminate interference between these digital operations and any existing FM voice type auxiliary link operations that might be currently operating on these frequencies. If digital operations wish to use auxiliary link frequencies that are currently being used for FM voice

type auxiliary links, arrangements to reimburse the existing users for the costs of relocating must be made.

Digital SIMPLEX operations

The Amateur Radio frequencies currently recognized by the MRC for SIMPLEX digital operation in the 2 meter band include 145.010, 145.030, 145.050, 145.070, 145.090, 145.610, 145.630, 145.670 and 145.690 Mhz. Even though some of these frequencies are spaced 600 Khz apart, a full-

duplex FM digital repeater cannot be operated on them per current FCC part 97 rules.

The simplex frequencies of 144.910, 144.930, 144.950, 144.970 and 44.990 Mhz are also recognized as being used for digital operations, but these frequencies are shared with the activities generated by the SAREX space missions. Operators using these frequencies for digital

operations must be cognizant of SAREX operation and cease operations when interference will be caused to these operations.

Full-Duplex digital operations

The MRC Repeater Frequency coordinator will coordinate full-duplex digital repeaters only on the 20 Khz spaced repeater pairs in the 44/145 sub-band of 2 meters. All full-duplex digital repeaters coordinated on this band must operate with a baud rate of 9600 baud or greater to make maximum use of the repeater pair.

Operation of packet radio on FM voice simplex frequencies

MRC recommends that digital operations (packet radio) do not operate on the nationally recognized SIMPLEX frequencies for FM voice operations on 2 meters.

VI. Recognition of FM voice simplex

VI.

VII. The MRC also recognizes and will preserve allocated FM voice Simplex frequencies which fall within the FM repeater portion of the Amateur Radio bands. The use of these simplex voice frequencies for Digipeaters IS NOT RECOMMENDED, although simplex digital point-to-point operation is permitted as is CW, RTTY or other point-to-point simplex operations per the FCC rules.

6 Meter Simplex

Only 52.525 Mhz is currently recognized in the 50 to 54 Mhz band for FM voice simplex.

2 Meter Simplex

The current voice simplex frequencies are:

146.400*, 146.415, 146.430*, 146.445, 146.460*, 146.475, 146.490,

146.505, 146.520, 146.535, 146.550, 146.565, 146.580, 147.420, 147.435,

147.450, 147.465, 147.480, 147.495, 147.510, 147.525, 147.540, 147.555,

147.570 and 147.585 Mhz.

* NOTE: In some cases these FM simplex frequencies are used as FM voice

repeater inputs to pair up with 147.000, 147.030, and 147.060 Mhz. FM

simplex users should expect to be repeated if they use these frequen-

cies for simplex operation when in an area in Minnesota or surrounding

states or providences where these frequencies are used as repeater

inputs.

222-224 Mhz Simplex

Only 223.500 Mhz is currently recognized in the 222-224 Mhz band for FM

voice simplex. But FM voice simplex can be done on any of the 20 Khz

spaced frequencies in the 223.400 to 223.740 Mhz range. These 20 Khz

spaced channels are shared by both voice and digital modes.

440-450 Mhz Simplex

Only 446.000 Mhz is currently recognized in the 420-450 Mhz band for FM

voice simplex. This is because of the extremely short range expected

with low power FM SIMPLEX operations in this frequency range.

VII. Frequency Coordination Areas

For the purposes of frequency coordination the State of Minnesota is divided into eleven areas. These areas are defined by lines on established latitude and longitude, are shown on the attached map and identified as follows:

Northwest - everything North of 46:30 degrees and West of 95:00 degrees

North Central - everything North of 46:30 degrees, East of 95:00

degrees and West of 93:00 degrees

Northeast - everything North of 46:30 degrees, and East of 93:00

degrees except Duluth.

West Central - everything West of 95:00 degrees, North of 45:00 degrees

and South of 46:30 degrees.

Central - everything East of 95:00 degrees, West of 93:30 degrees,

North of 45:00 degrees and South of 46:30 degrees except the Metro

area.

East Central - everything East of 93:30 degrees, North of 45:15 degrees

and South of 46:30 degrees except the Metro area.

Southwest - everything West of 95:00 degrees, South of 45:00 degrees.

South Central - everything South of 45:00 degrees, East of 95:00

degrees and West of 93:00 degrees except the Metro area.

Southeast - everything East of 93:30 and South of 44:45 degrees except

the Metro area.

Duluth - The area in and around Duluth as defined by the Minnesota

Highway Dept. map

Metro - The Twin Cities metro area (Minneapolis/St. Paul) as defined

by the Minnesota Highway Dept. map.

VIII. Repeater Frequency assignments: 29.50 - 29.70 Mhz

All assignments in this band shall be in accordance with the Nationally accepted 10 meter band plan agreed upon by the MRC. Currently their are only 4 repeater pairs allocated with 100 Khz spacing between input and output frequencies. 29.600 Mhz is recognized as the National

Simplex channel on 10 meters.

IX. Repeater Frequency assignments: 51.00 - 53.99 Mhz

All assignments in this band shall be in accordance with the Nationally accepted 6 meter band plan agreed upon by the MRC. 52.525 Mhz is recognized as the National Simplex calling frequency on 6 meters.

X. Repeater Frequency assignments: 144.500 to 144.900, 145.100 to 145.500 and

146.000 to 147.990 Mhz

A) Standard Repeater Pairs

Unless otherwise described in this policy, all assignments in this band shall be in accordance with the Nationally accepted 2 meter band plan agreed upon by the MRC. 146.520 Mhz is recognized as the National Simplex calling frequency.

In Minnesota, the frequencies between 144.500 and 145.500 Mhz used for repeaters are coordinated on 20 Khz steps starting with 144.510 Mhz. Repeater inputs are low, with the outputs located 600 Khz above the inputs.

In Minnesota, the frequencies between 146.000 and 147.990 Mhz, used for repeaters, are coordinated on 15 Khz steps starting with 146.010 Mhz. Between 146.010 and 146.985 Mhz repeater inputs are low, with the outputs located 600 Khz above the input. Between 147.000 and 147.990 Mhz repeater inputs are high, with the outputs located 600 Khz below the input.

B) Shared Non-Protected 2 meter repeater pair: 144.630/145.230 Mhz

This repeater pair, 144.630 Mhz input and 145.230 Mhz output, will be coordinated in the State of Minnesota for use by repeater stations on a shared basis. No geographical separation from other repeater stations in Minnesota using the same frequency will be done.

All stations using this pair must use CTCSS, digital CTCSS or DTMF access. The tone to be used for protecting the repeater input must be given to the Repeater Frequency Coordinator. In the event a noncontinuous code, e. g. DTMF tone(s), is used to initiate access, the system must provide:

1. Automatic return to controlled access if no signal is

present on the input frequency for 60 seconds (maximum).

2. Automatic means to prevent unintended activation by

users by other systems using DTMF for autopatch activation

and use. Anti-PL would be one possible method.

C) Frequencies 144.900 to 145.100 Mhz & 145.61 to 145.69 Mhz

This sub-band is recognized as being used for single channel digital communications including digipeaters or "digital repeaters", e.g. packet radio, using 20 Khz spaced channels. The 20 Khz steps shall be based on 145.010 Mhz (channel center).

XI. Repeater Frequency assignments: 222.50 - 225.00 Mhz

A) Standard repeater pairs

Unless otherwise described in this policy, frequencies between 222.50 and 225.00 will be assigned in accordance with the Nationally accepted 220 Mhz band plan agreed upon by the MRC. 223.500 Mhz is recognized as the National Simplex calling frequency.

The frequencies between 222.500 and 223.380 Mhz are used as repeater inputs with the repeater outputs located 1.6 Mhz above them at 223.880 to 224.980 Mhz. These frequencies pairs are spaced 20 Khz apart starting with 222.260 Mhz.

B) Shared non-protected 222 Mhz repeater pair

The repeater pair of 222.640/224.240 Mhz is coordinated as a Shared Non-Protected repeater pair for repeaters in this band in Minnesota. This pair must be frequency coordinated and will be assigned on a shared basis without respect to geographical separation from other

repeater stations in Minnesota using the same frequency pair.

All stations using this pair must use CTCSS, digital CTCSS or DTMF access. The tone to be used to protect the input of the repeater must be given to the Repeater Frequency Coordinator. In the event a noncontinuous code, e. g. DTMF tone(s), is used to initiate access, the system must provide:

1. Automatic return to controlled access if no signal is

present on the input frequency for 60 seconds (maximum).

2. Automatic means to prevent unintended activation by

users by other systems using DTMF for autopatch activation

and use. Anti-PL would be one possible method.

XII. Frequency assignments: 420.00 - 450.00 Mhz

A) Auxiliary link and control frequencies

Frequencies between 420.00 and 421.00 Mhz maybe used for auxiliary links and control links where allowed for in the State of Minnesota. 25 Khz spacing will be used starting at 420.025 Mhz. The use of CTCSS and directional antennas is recommended. Coordination must be done to

eliminate any possible interfere between auxiliary and control links and a Fast Scan ATV repeater output on 421.250 Mhz.

NOTE: Line "A", which outlines an area located along the Canada border

of the US, runs through Duluth, MN. By FCC rules Amateur Radio opera-

tion between 420 Mhz and 430 Mhz is not allowed north of line "A".

Frequencies between 433.000 and 435.000 Mhz are also reserved for auxiliary and repeater links. 25 Khz spacing will be used starting at 433.025 Mhz. The use of CTCSS and directional antennas is recommended. Frequencies from 445.000 to 446.975 Mhz are reserved for control links, auxiliary links and various types of simplex operation. 12.5 Khz channel spacing will be used starting at 445.00 Mhz. The use of CTCSS and directional antennas is recommended for all control and auxiliary links.

The frequency 446.00 Mhz is to be used for simplex communications only.

B) Standard repeater frequencies

Frequencies between 442.000 and 444.975 Mhz are reserved for re

outputs with inputs located 5 Mhz above the output. 12.5 Khz spacing

will be used starting at 442.000 Mhz.

Frequencies between 447.000 and 449.975 Mhz are reserved for repeater

inputs with outputs located 5 Mhz below the input.

C) Fast Scan TV repeater

One Amateur radio Fast Scan TV repeater can be frequency coordinated on the 440 Mhz band with an input on 439.25 Mhz and an output on 421.25 Mhz. Due to the wide band nature of ATV signals, (ATV channels are normally 6 Mhz wide) FM voice repeaters that share this frequency range must be carefully coordinated to eliminate possible interference to ATV activities.

Due to possible interference to a coordinated ATV repeater presently operating in the Twin Cities metro area on the 440 Mhz band the repeater system output frequencies between 444.000 and 444.975 Mhz will all be assigned before the frequency pairs between 442.000 and 444.00 will

be assigned. This guideline will be used on all frequency assignments in the 440 Mhz band within 30 miles of the Twin Cities metro area.

D) Shared Non-Protected 440 Mhz repeater pairs

The following are coordinated for Shared Non-Protected repeaters in Minnesota: 449.725/444.725, 449.325/444.325, 448.700/443.700, 448.000,443.000, 447.700.442.700 Mhz. Repeaters operating on these pairs must be frequency coordinated and operate on a shared basis without respect to geographical separation from other repeater stations in Minnesota using the same frequency pairs. A separation distance of 120 miles between repeater stations must be maintained along our state's borders as the adjacent states do not necessarily have similar assignments.

All repeater stations using these frequency pairs must use CTCSS,

digital CTCSS or DTMF access. The choice of tone used must be given to

the Repeater Frequency Coordinator. In the event a noncontinuous code,

e. g. DTMF tone(s), is used to initiate access, the system must pro-

vide:

1. Automatic return to controlled access if no signal is

present on the input frequency for 60 seconds (maximum).

2. Automatic means to prevent unintended activation by

users by other systems using DTMF for autopatch activation

and use. Anti-PL would be one possible method.

XIII. Repeater Frequency assignments: 907.00 - 922.00 Mhz

The frequencies between 907.00 & 910.00 Mhz are coordinated as repeater input frequencies with the outputs 12 Mhz above them on 919.00 to 922.00 Mhz. These frequency pairs are spaced 25 Khz apart starting with 907.00 Mhz.

XIV. Repeater Frequency assignments: Protection by Geographical Spacing

A) 29 & 50 Mhz repeaters

All 29 & 50 Mhz repeaters are protected by a separation distance of 150 miles.

B) 2 meter repeaters

Effective April 14, 1984, all new 2 meter repeater assignments will be provided a separation distance of at least 120 miles from the nearest coordinated repeater on the same channel. The exception is the shared non-protected pair of 144.63/145.23 Mhz.

All 2 meter repeaters coordinated on the 15 Khz split frequencies must maintain at least 50 mile separation from any existing repeater that is currently operating on either adjacent frequency pair. This rule can be waived if written permission from those adjacent repeaters can be obtained and presented to the MRC Repeater Frequency Coordinator at the time that the request for assignment of a 15 Khz split frequency is made.

C) 222 Mhz repeaters

All 222 Mhz repeaters are protected by a separation distance of 120 miles. The exception is the shared non-protected pair.

D) 440 Mhz repeaters

All 440 Mhz repeaters are protected by at least a separation distance of 60 miles. Selected 440 Mhz repeaters will have 120 mile protection separation distance. The exceptions are the shared non-protected frequency pairs where no protection from another repeater located on the same frequency pair is given. A 120 mile separation distance between repeater stations must be allowed along the borders of adjacent states to the State of Minnesota.

Each 440 Mhz repeater is identified by the Repeater Frequency Coordinator as to its type. The types of repeaters that are assigned each of these protection distances is as follows:

1) (CLASS A) Wide area coverage repeater

2) (CLASS B) Defined community coverage repeater.

3) (SNP) Repeaters that operate on the Shared Non-Protected

frequency pairs

The characteristics of these "classes" of 440 Mhz repeater stations are:

1) Wide area coverage 440 Mhz repeater (Class A)

A 440 Mhz repeater with a coverage area of at least greater than a 40 mile radius circle, OR an antenna mounted greater than 400 ft HAAT. A 20 mile radius circle of protection will be offered this class of repeater.

A 440 Mhz linking repeater using directional or omni-directional arrays will always be classified as a Class A repeater, as long as its stated purpose is to link other repeaters together and not just be a general use voice repeater. Methods to keep casual users from using a linking repeater would be expected.

NOTE: Just because the repeater station is linked to another repeater,

it will not be defined as a linking repeater. A typical linking repeater

would be the backbone repeaters used in the SUPERLINK system.

2) Defined community coverage 440 Mhz repeater (Class B)

A general use 440 Mhz FM voice repeater (not a linking, data, or packet radio repeater) with a normally expected useful range of 25 to 30 miles. This range will be calculated by the Repeater Frequency Coordinator using available range determining nomographs and formulas. The

calculations will use the actual HAAT and ERP data from the repeater station to a user station with a mobile antenna and a .3 uv sensitivity receiver. If the range so determined is 30 miles or less, Class B protection (60 mile circle) should be offered this repeater.

All NEW "defined community" 440 Mhz repeaters will be required to use CTCSS (PL) access to protect their input. This is necessary so that system users at fixed locations will not inadvertently bring up multiple repeaters. THE USE OF CTCSS TO PROTECT THE REPEATER INPUT WILL BE MANDATORY.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: 440 Mhz repeater stations now operating with characteristics

of a Class B coverage repeater station

Any 440 Mhz repeater now operating (as of 12/1/91) with characteristics as described above (with a useful range of 25 to 30 miles) should be considered, with later frequency coordination, to be a "defined community type" repeater.

No changes in operation of these repeaters will need to be made for their continued operation as they are now operating. The addition of CTCSS to protect the input of the repeater is encouraged, but is not now mandatory. If any changes requiring frequency coordination are made to an existing repeater THEN CTCSS WILL PROBABLY BECOME A REQUIREMENT TO PROTECT THE REPEATER INPUT.

A 60 mile radius circle of protection will be given for each "defined community" (Class B) repeater. This means that this frequency pair can be assigned again with 60 mile spacing between repeaters operating on the same frequency pair.

3) 440 Mhz Repeater station to be operated on Shared Non-Protected frequency

pairs (SNP)

A 440 Mhz repeater operated on one of the Shared Non-Protected frequency pairs is given no protection from use of this same frequency pair for any distance around the repeater location. CTCSS (PL) ACCESS TO PROTECT THE INPUT OF THIS TYPE OF REPEATER MUST BE USED.

No restrictions are placed on antenna HAAT or maximum ERP except that the MRC Frequency Coordination policies do give guidelines on the maximum ERP that can be used at various HAATs.

Effect on separation distance with changes of 440 Mhz repeater station class

A repeater station that is originally coordinated as a Class B 440 Mhz repeater station can be upgraded to a Class A station, on the frequency pair it is currently operating on, IF no other frequency coordination has been made which places another repeater on the same pair within 120

miles. This upgrading can only be made after a request to modify the Frequency Coordination has been processed to insure that all interference possibilities are investigated. Once approved, the upgrading of the station must be done within six (6) months, which is the same time as is allowed for initial operation when a frequency coordination has been made. One (1) six (6) month extension may be available if requested.

If another repeater station is operating on the same frequency pair within 60 miles, the station requesting upgrading to Class A must change frequency to another frequency pair to upgrade its class.

E) 900 Mhz repeaters

All 900 Mhz repeaters are protected by a separation distance of 120 miles.

F) Exceptions to the above separation distances (all frequencies)

Separation less than provided in this section may be allowed if approval is obtained from all nearer repeater stations affected and such approvals are filed in writing with the Repeater Frequency Coordinator. Approval of a new system under these conditions may be contingent on a

maximum ERP, maximum HAAT and or antenna pattern, in which case these conditions shall be a condition of coordination.

XV. Repeater Frequency assignments: General

A) Time limit for getting NEW systems going

The time limit when you must start using a NEW repeater pair or auxiliary or control link frequency is established at six (6) months after tentative (initial) frequency coordination is completed. However, with extenuating circumstances, one (1) additional six (6) month extension

can be obtained by requesting this extension in writing. All extensions are at the discretion of the MRC Repeater Frequency Coordinator.

A system not operational at the end of this six (6) month time limit or extension period is considered in-active and the coordinated frequencies will be returned to the MRC frequency pool and made available to other applicants.

If the applicant re-applies for coordination, the past in-activity may be taken into consideration and the coordination request will be voted on by the Minnesota Repeater Council at the next scheduled meeting. The applicant may state their case for coordination and any unusual circumstances at that meeting.

B) Coordination assignment time limit for existing stations and contin-

uation of frequency assignment

Frequency coordination assignments for all repeater, auxiliary and control stations shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. Renewals of frequency coordination are not automatic and renewal may only be granted upon written request by the station trustee to the Repeater Frequency Coordinator. Usually this renewal is done by returning the yearly questionnaire sent by the Repeater Frequency Coordinator to each repeater, auxiliary link or control station trustee. Repeater trustees that do not reply to this questionnaire will not have their system listed in the ARRL Repeater Directory and will be considered for repeater system de-coordination.

The second request for confirmation of information on a repeater system will be sent by registered mail. If no reply is received within sixty (60) days, a recommendation for de-coordination of that repeater will be presented for a vote at the next MRC meeting. Final requests for continued coordination must be made in person or by proxy at that meeting.

C) In writing policy

Only frequency assignments and frequency coordinations confirmed in writing from the Repeater Frequency Coordinator shall be considered official and binding.

D) Conditions of assignment

If the use of CTCSS, tone burst, whistle-up, Touch-tone, or other means of effecting limited access is specified as a condition of assignment, this limited access method MUST BE USED, and operators of repeater stations on assignments sharing the frequency pair or on assignments

adjacent to the affected system shall consider the use of such equipment as being implemented and protection afforded as such.

E) Data needed for frequency coordination

Applications for frequency coordination shall specify the proposed geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude), antenna height above average terrain (HAAT), Effective Radiated Power (ERP) and the antenna pattern for the proposed station. The frequency assignment or proposed

assignment may be conditioned on an antenna HAAT, range, or pattern different than requested by the applicant.

F) Output Power and HAAT definitions

Although the FCC has eliminated specific power limitations on repeater transmitter Effective Radiated Power (ERP) according to Height Above Average Terrain (HAAT), they have left the decisions on power limitations up to the individual frequency coordinator. MRC adheres to the

policy which is designed to give the Repeater Frequency Coordinator maximum flexibility in making use of the already crowded VHF and UHF spectrum. The Repeater Frequency Coordinator has the ultimate decision as to power limitations of repeaters when coordinating.

The Repeater Frequency Coordinator will recommend maximum output power (ERP) based on the coordinated repeater's HAAT, antenna system and separation from co-channel and adjacent channel repeaters. For a rule-of-thumb, MRC recommends the "old" FCC repeater maximum power rules:

For frequencies from 29.5 Mhz to 420 Mhz

1) Antenna HAAT 100 ft and below - 800W ERP

2) HAAT 105 to 525 feet - 400W ERP

3) HAAT 525 to 1050 feet - 200W ERP

4) HAAT above 1050 ft - 100W ERP

For frequencies above 420 Mhz, where permissible by FCC rules, the

following power limitations will apply:

1) Antenna HAAT or 105 ft and below - 800W ERP

2) HAAT 105 to 525 ft - 800W ERP

3) HAAT 525 to 1050 ft - 800W ERP

4) HAAT above 1050 ft - 400W ERP

G) "First on frequency" principle.

Just as in FCC broadcast allocations and in use in two-way radio systems, the "first on frequency" rules will be applied in the Amateur Radio repeater frequency coordination done by the Repeater Frequency Coordinator. This rule says that "existing repeaters have first rights

to continued use of their frequencies and reasonable service areas, and the effective use of an existing repeater station should not be appreciatively diminished by a new repeater."

However, as with FCC practice, these rights have great weight but are not absolute. For example, as established wide-area repeater should tolerate minor loss of fringe coverage and occasional inadvertent keying to allow a new repeater to provide needed service at a location distant from the first. "First on frequency" carries no special rights to make a major facility change without reconsideration of the frequency coordination and assignment.

H) Changes made to a frequency coordinated station

Any frequency assignment, i.e.,coordination, will immediately become invalid if the station makes significant changes. Such changes require a new application for coordination. The term significant change is defined in the definitions section of this policy.

When a repeater station is relocated, or moved from a low to a higher site, or if the Effective Radiated Power (ERP) is SIGNIFICANTLY increased, the Repeater Frequency Coordinator must be notified in writing BEFORE this change is made. Frequency coordination is based on

information provided on the original coordination application. Any change in antenna, height, ERP or location is subject to re-coordination. Trustees should contact their coordinator or assistant coordinator for additional information.

NOTES: 1) All repeater stations are coordinated initially at 50 watts

ERP with an antenna height of 50 feet (HAAT)if the application does not

ask for any greater values. Any changes to a coordinated station that

do not change the station parameters above these values do not require

re-coordination.

I) Status of re-coordinated repeater systems

Re-coordination of a repeater system needed when "significant changes" are made does not eliminate the "first-on-frequency" rights already held by the station that was re-coordinated. This re-coordination only causes this system to be responsible for any problems caused to other repeater stations by its newly re-coordinated characteristics.

J) Shutting down of a frequency coordinated repeater station

Repeater station trustees who shut down their repeater station for a period of over 60 days must notify the Repeater Frequency Coordinator in writing of this shutdown. If notification is not received, the repeater will be considered to be in-active. If the repeater station is going off the air for good, or the operator sells out or moves out, the trustee should write a letter to the Repeater Frequency Coordinator, relinquishing that frequency pair.

K) Validity of assignments made before 4/14/84.

All frequency assignments made prior to April 14, 1984, will be held valid for the location (latitude and Longitude), antenna HAAT, and antenna pattern actually employed on that date so long as the data on these stations was supplied to the Repeater Frequency Coordinator by

October 27, 1984.

L) Input frequency interference consequences

Frequency assignments shall be made with as much, if not more, weight given to the consequences of the transmissions of fixed and mobile stations on the input frequency, as compared to the consequences of the output signal of the coordinated station itself. The majority of coordination and interference problems arise from individual stations

keying other stations in addition to the one intended.

M) Transfer of repeater frequency pairs

Repeater pairs are normally not transferable, but revert back to the MRC frequency pool when relinquished in writing by the current holder. In situations where one sponsor sells his repeater system to another sponsor, the same frequency MAY BE re-coordinated to a newly named

trustee, when the trustee (or sponsors trustee) relinquishes the frequency in writing and receipt of application of new sponsor and new trustee is received by the Repeater Frequency Coordinator.

N) Closed repeaters

The appropriateness of a closed repeater is in some circumstances recognized. However, requests for closed repeaters on the 2 meter band, especially those proposing wide-area coverage will be discouraged. Rationale: 2 meter frequency pairs are a limited and valuable resource and should be made available to the majority of Amateur Radio operators. It should be noted that the upper VHF and the UHF bands offers privacy to closed repeaters that is not possible on 2 meters, greatly aiding in the problem of unwanted use of private repeaters.

NOTE: It should be recognized that just because a repeater system uses

CTCSS or other means to protect its input frequency it is not to be

considered a closed system.

O) Repeater trustee

The trustee (or in the case of club repeaters, the appointed trustee) is the holder of record of a frequency coordination. All requests for coordination or for changes in listing, callsign, or sponsorship or trustee information for a repeater or link must be submitted in writing over the signature of the trustee. Club sponsors may make trustee changes provided the request is signed by the former trustee, the new trustee and a club official. The frequency coordination document and all other notices and mailings from the MRC will be sent to the trustee by mail. No frequency coordination may be made without all information being fully documented and submitted to the Repeater Frequency Coordinator or assistant coordinator for final approval.

P) Participation in coordination activities by repeater trustee

The trustee of a proposed repeater is expected to actively participate with the Repeater Frequency Coordinator in the task of surveying the frequencies and coverage areas of existing systems in his area in order to select an appropriate frequency for the new repeater. In particular, the new repeater operator bears prime responsibility for whatever tests and listening periods are required at the proposed site.

Logs of signals and locations heard at the proposed site, preferably for several weeks, may have great weight in a frequency selection. The burden of proof of a clear channel rests with the proposed repeater trustee when there is arbitration, although the final decision will be at the discretion of the Repeater Frequency Coordinator.

XVI. Repeater De-Coordination

The MRC has the right under certain circumstances to revoke a coordinated frequency as outlined below:

1) If a repeater system is ordered permanently shut down by the

FCC for any reason.

2) A new frequency coordination for a repeater pair, auxiliary

link or control link frequency that is not operational at the end of

its original six (6) month time limit or extension period is considered

in-active and the coordinated frequencies will be returned to the MRC

frequency pool.

3) To be considered an active repeater, the repeater trustee must

renew the frequency coordination annually. Usually this renewal is done

by returning the annual repeater information request sent by the Re-

peater Frequency Coordinator to each repeater, auxiliary link or con-

trol station trustee. Repeater trustees that do not reply to this

annual request will have their systems considered as in-active and may

be subject to de-coordination.

A second request for confirmation of information on a repeater system

will be sent by registered mail. If no reply is received within sixty

(60) days, a recommendation for de-coordination of that repeater will

be presented for a vote at the next MRC meeting. Final requests for

continued coordination must be made in person or by proxy at that

meeting.

4) If in the course of research, an allocation is determined to

be in-active and the trustee of record cannot be located by registered

mail, the coordination will be presented to the next Minnesota Repeater

Council meeting for de-coordination.

5) If the trustee of a system consistently violates good engi-

neering and/or Amateur Radio practices, as described in the MRC Techni-

cal Standards, and has been notified by the MRC technical committee of

such occurrences, the trustee has 30 days to adjust/repair the concern.

If the trustee requires more than 30 days, a letter to this effect must

be mailed to the MRC Repeater Frequency Coordinator. This letter is

mandatory for continued coordination. If no corrections are made to the

repeater system to get in in compliance, its de-coordination will be

suggested and its status will be decided at the next meeting of the

MRC.

6) If a repeater system bears primary responsibility in a case

of interference to another repeater system and refuses to cooperate

with the other trustees involved and/or the Repeater Frequency Coordi-

nator, after repeated requests.

When any of the above occur the Repeater Frequency Coordinator will turn over the documentation of these problems to the entire MRC for de-coordination consideration at its next meeting and recommend de-coordination of this repeater system.

If the MRC upholds the Repeater Frequency Coordinator's suggestions, the Repeater Frequency Coordinator will then notify the appropriate FCC field office with a request that they shut down the offending repeater system.

De-coordinated frequencies will be placed back into the frequency pool for future coordination by the Repeater Frequency Coordinator.

XVII. Repeater station good operating practices

XVII.

Repeater station owners and users are expected to maintain good engineering and operating practices and use common Amateur Radio courtesy on repeater stations, as outlined in the FCC rules. Good Amateur Radio practices promotes harmony and prevent unwanted interference to other operating repeater systems. Some guidelines are:

1) Repeater trustees should encourage repeater users to only use the

necessary amount of power to operate into the repeater system. This

prevents unwanted keyups of other systems on the same frequency, and at

the same time on nearby adjacent channel repeaters.

2) Repeater trustees should encourage and help their repeater users to

keep their equipment operating on the frequency intended and with audio

deviation not to exceed 5 Khz. Repeater stations on frequencies coordi-

nated 15 Khz from the 30Khz spaced 2 meter repeaters must advise their

users to limit their transmitter deviation to no more than 4.0 Khz

maximum. 15 Khz split frequency system operators are encouraged to

incorporate automatic devices to tell users that they are exceeding the

maximum allowed deviation.

3) Repeater owners should maintain their system in such a way that it

maintains proper operating frequencies and have audio limiting capabil-

ities on the repeater transmitter to prevent over deviation.

4) Repeater station ERP should balance with the input receive capabil-

ities. Excessive ERP will encourage operators to use more power to

access the system, thereby creating an atmosphere of potential inter-

ference to other repeater stations.

5) Repeaters owners are encouraged to use state-of-the-art equipment

on their repeaters, with sufficient filtering on the input and outputs

to prevent adjacent channel interference both on receive and transmit.

XVIII. Interference to a Coordinated Repeater Station

XVIII.

The following outlines the policy for dealing with interference between repeaters, owners, trustees and users. This policy is in accordance with FCC rulings and guidelines:

1) If an uncoordinated repeater causes harmful interference

to a coordinated repeater, the primary responsibility for cor-

recting this interference rests with the trustee of the uncoordi-

nated repeater system.

2) If both systems are coordinated, the trustee of the most

recently coordinated system bears the primary responsibility for

correcting the interference. ( See "first on frequency" defini-

tion)

3) In cases where a repeater in Minnesota is involved in inter-

ference with a system operated outside Minnesota the Repeater Frequen-

cy Coordinator, when called upon, will work with the Repeater Frequen-

cy Coordinator from the other state and will adhere to the guidelines

listed above when dealing with the outside the state repeater and

Repeater Frequency Coordinator.

4) If a repeater operator changes location, antenna

height, ERP, or other parameters of his system in a manner which

causes harmful interfere to other stations ( especially to co-

channel or adjacent channel repeaters and their users), that

repeater operator bears the primary responsibility for correcting

the interference.

NOTE: "Harmful Interference" is defined as signals that cause

distortion or RF signal blocking of an incoming or repeated signal.

Simply hearing other on-channel or co-channel users as a nuisance is

not "Harmful Interference".

XIX. Interference Arbitration Procedures

1) Repeater owners receiving harmful interference from another

repeater system or its users should document times, conditions,

callsigns and describe the type of interference. (Band conditions

should be observed in all cases. Abnormal band conditions should not

be considered a reason for complaining about interference.) The

trustee of the repeater receiving the interference should contact the

trustee of the interfering repeater, with a letter, outlining the

problems and include his documentation.

2) If all arbitration attempts fail and the interference problem

cannot be solved with the trustee of the interfering repeater, the

trustee of the station being interfered with should contact the Re-

peater Frequency Coordinator by letter, outlining the problem and

providing other documentation available. Attempts to contact the

other trustee should also be explained in detail.

3) If the Repeater Frequency Coordinator is called upon, he will

need a completely documented history of both repeaters, their coordi-

nated status, dates, times and other pertinent information from both

repeater trustees. The MRC Repeater Frequency Coordinator cannot

handle the job alone and will need cooperation from all individuals

involved.

4) If the Repeater Frequency Coordinator cannot resolve the

problem, using the guidelines explained above, and the operator bear-

ing responsibility for the interference will not cooperate, will not

take reasonable steps to solve the problem, or refuses to cooperate

with the Repeater Frequency Coordinator in any reasonable way, the MRC

Repeater Frequency Coordinator will then turn over the documentation

to a review board which will be named by the MRC Chairman. This

review board shall have 21 days to uphold the suggested action of the

Frequency Coordinator, or recommend further investigation and /or

arbitration with the responsible repeater owner.

a) If the review board upholds the decision of the Repeater

Frequency Coordinator, the Repeater Frequency Coordinator shall within

10 days, by certified mail, inform the responsible repeater owner that

his frequency has been de-coordinated.

b) Upon receipt of confirmation of delivery of the de-

coordination letter, the Repeater Frequency Coordinator will then

write the FCC Field Office under whose jurisdiction the interfering

repeater is located, requesting this repeater be ordered off the air.

The Repeater Frequency Coordinator will be responsible for including

with the request, an outline of all procedures taken and documentation

that proper procedures were followed. Copies of all correspondence

will also be included. At this point, final action rests with the

involved FCC Engineer-in-charge with the District.

5) A coordinated station desiring FCC intervention or enforcement

to eliminate interference shall first submit their complaint and

request in writing to the MRC Chairman. The MRC will have 90 days to

resolve the complaint. If, at the end of the 90 day period, the

complainant still desires FCC action, the MRC shall submit the

complaint to the FCC along with the MRC's findings and

recommendations.

All cases of apparent malicious interference will be forwarded to the

respective FCC Field Office that have jurisdiction over the area in

which the source of interference is located.

The action described will be the final step deemed necessary by the

Repeater Frequency Coordinator to resolve an interference problem.

XX. Changes to this Frequency Coordination Policy

A. All changes to this policy must be approved by the Minnesota

Repeater Council.

B. If any group does not agree with this policy or the interpretation

of the Frequency Coordinator, they may submit, in writing, a request

that the MRC Chairman convene a Board of Appeals to review the

decision. The board or appeals will consist of:

1. MRC Chairman

2. Metro area Owner or Operator

3. MRC User Liaison

4. Non-metro owner or Operator

5. Frequency Coordinator

C. This policy of the MRC shall become effective on May 9, 1976.

Revisions adopted at the following meetings are included:

April 26, 1977 October 8, 1978 April 14, 1984

October 2, 1977 April 17, 1982 October 27, 1984

April 8, 1978 October 29, 1983 November 1, 1986

October 28, 1988 November 18, 1989 November 9, 1991

April 8, 1995 Sept 23, 1995

Originally typed 12/89 P. E. Put into Microsoft Word format 12/01