Focus on Competition
Competitions Director Chip Smith
AMA's attorney before the FCC, Ray Kowalski, and I attended an FCC agenda meeting on Thursday, September 23. The meeting focused on two crucial items: the selling of certain frequencies and the creation of a band for "personal communicators." Below is a summary of what was discussed and what it means for model radio operations.
Frequency reassignment — what happened and why it matters
- News reports quickly circulated about the FCC's reassignment of part of the RF spectrum and suggested frequencies were being sold to commercial subscribers.
- Many reports lacked detail about which portion of the band was involved, causing concern among members.
- Fortunately, the frequencies in question are far from those used to control RC models — they will be in the two-gigahertz band and are not expected to affect model operations.
- I appreciate the vigilance of members who called to alert us. That same attention to detail is what uncovered unauthorized radio-controlled cranes operating on our frequencies in the past and is key to protecting our portion of the RF spectrum.
Personal communicators and commercial demand
- The FCC also discussed allocations for so-called "personal communicators." While the final form and function of these devices are not yet clear, they are expected to operate in the two-gigahertz range and are likewise remote from our activities.
- With the rapid growth of beepers, cellular phones and other personal communications devices, there will be strong commercial interest in owning such frequencies. The FCC will likely find buyers easily.
- As one Apple Computer ad for the Newton put it, "If there is anything the world could use, it is more communications." That observation reflects the broader pressure on spectrum allocation.
NPRM 92-235 and next steps
- The proposal that could impact our frequencies is NPRM 92-235.
- AMA and RCMA will participate in another ex parte meeting with the FCC at the end of October to discuss the proposal further. We will report on the outcome next month.
- Our legal counsel is receiving mixed signals about timing: some indications point to consideration this year, while others suggest finalization may be a year away. It is possible a brief report or order could be issued soon to outline a basic frequency restructure, with more detailed rulemaking to follow. Time — and the upcoming meeting — will tell.
FAI competition and department updates
- FAI competition has been in full swing. We have completed five separate team selection events and participated in four world championships.
- I am writing this column from a motel room in Bakersfield, California, as we prepare for what will be the largest free-flight world championships ever. We have a new saying around the office: "AMA — we're never bored."
- The activity has been thrilling but has also brought natural anxieties. The FAI programs are many and varied, so the potential for oversight is high.
- As always, many AMA members have stepped up to help. The support shown to JoAnne, the Competitions Department and me has been invaluable as we learn our new roles.
- We want communications with members to be open and two-way. Please drop us a line or call with your thoughts and suggestions — fresh input is what keeps things alive and moving forward.
- If you’ve never considered competing or participating on a worldwide level, it’s worth looking into. The friendships and extraordinary experiences you gain are some of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby.
1994–1995 Competition Regulations
- The 1994–1995 Competition Regulations will be available around the end of December.
- When you receive your 1994 membership card, note the carrier card attached. You may return that carrier to AMA Headquarters in exchange for a copy of the Competition Regulations. Copies will be shipped biweekly via bulk mail.
- Additional copies may be purchased through Supply Service for $2.50 plus regular shipping and handling charges. Purchased copies will be mailed first class.
- Remember: the Competition Regulations book contains the official rule-book events. Information about sanctioning fun-flys/fly-ins, frequencies and other non-rule-book items can be found in the Membership Manual, which is mailed to members along with the Supply Service Catalog after the first year.
— Bob Underwood, Executive Director
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
