The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment Friday on...
The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment Friday on a waiver request by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to permit the use of signal boosters allowing better communications between the fronts and rears of trains. Current rules limit Part 90…
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signal booster power levels to up to five watts effective radiated power, the bureau said. AAR wants to use boosters with power levels of up to 30 watts in frequencies from 452/457.900 to 452/457.96875 MHz, said a public notice (http://bit.ly/1qjPK4M). AAR filed its request for waiver June 13. AAR argues that “safe, efficient movement of trains” depends on effective communications links between the fronts and rears to monitor speed and brake pressure, operate rear-end brakes and, on trains with distributed power, coordinate the front and rear engines, the bureau said. AAR said “the options currently permitted by the Commission’s rules do not provide sufficient coverage to maintain this communications link on long trains in areas of challenging terrain, such as where tracks make sharp turns around mountain passes or encounter quick inclines and declines along hilly terrain, and trackside signal boosters are needed to maintain the link,” the bureau said. Comments are due July 28, replies Aug. 12, in docket 14-98.