WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to eliminate the current Symbol Rate Limit for amateur radio operators and replace it with a 2.8 kilohertz (kHz) bandwidth limitation, modernizing regulations in amateur radio. The recent action from the FCC follows legislative efforts from U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) to enact this change through the introduction of the Amateur Radio Communications Improvement Act.

“I applaud this action from the FCC, and I am grateful that they listened to experts and stakeholders to increase the speed of transmission so that amateur radio operators can more efficiently and effectively transmit messages during times of crisis,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “Increased amounts of data can be put on the spectrum due to advances in modern technology. Our government agencies must continue to be responsive to the needs and progression of American innovation.”

Rick Roderick, President of ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio, welcomed the FCC’s action, stating that, “this action will measurably facilitate the public service communications that amateurs step up to provide, especially at times of natural disasters and other emergencies such as during the hurricane season. Digital technology continues to evolve, and removing the outmoded data restrictions restores the incentive for radio amateurs to continue to experiment and develop more spectrum-efficient protocols and methods. The nation’s radio amateurs are indebted to Congresswoman Lesko for her efforts to get these detrimental government restrictions removed.”

Earlier this year, Congresswoman Lesko had the opportunity to question FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel during a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Watch that exchange here.

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