Dave Platt wrote:

They have proposed rescinding the Part 97 rule which places a whole
bunch of restrictions on the manufacture and sale of amplifiers which
can be used between 24 MHz and 35 MHz (the 10- and 12-meter amateur
bands, and the 11-meter CB band). This change has not actually been
enacted - they're inviting comments on whether it's a Good Idea or a
Bad Idea.

I'm feeling it's a good idea. It's a good idea first of all because it
will now make it legal to sell a lot of those military surplus wideband
DC-to-daylight amplifier systems.

And it's a good idea secondly, because the CB crowd already has bootleg
linears and there is already a substantial underground selling the things.
If it's legal, maybe at least more of those guys will be using clean
linear amps that aren't bandsplatter machines. If the FCC can't stop
the sale, they can at least try to reduce the sale of the worst amps out
there.

They have _not_ proposed making any change to the Part 95 rules, which
currently make it illegal to actually _use_ any such amplifier with an
11-meter (CB) transmitter.

So - if their proposed rule change is adopted, it'll be easier for
amateurs to buy amps that can be used on 10 and 12 meters.
General-purpose HF-band amplifier designs will probably be revised, to
"open them up" to the higher frequencies.

This is a good idea.

It will still remain illegal to use any such amplifier on the 11-meter
CB band.

This is also a good idea. It might be nice if it were enforced, but we
can't have everything.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."