Greetings everyone (and hopefully 220 enthusiasts),
?
As many of you are aware, though many of you are not, a recent interference situation surfaced in the Los Angeles area regarding 222MHz. A firm applied for and received experimental licenses within the 222-225MHz band. Bear in mind, this band is a Primary spectrum allocation to the Amateur Radio Service.
?
This entity, Caos Capital LLC, applied for their experimental licenses under Part 5 of the FCC's rules. The terms of this license and Part 5 operations specify operation on a non-interference basis with existing services. They were perfectly legitimate in submitting an application. Where the problems came were in next steps. The responsible parties who received and processed the application, as far as we can tell, did so without knowledge of the existing spectrum users - in this case, Amateur Radio. They were "unaware of any existing operations that would pose any issues nor was there any notable existing use."
?
That was the first major red flag. The existence of a Primary Service Allocation seemed completely ignored or unknown to exist. Second, what cross-checks were performed if any. Unknown. And so, the licenses were issued as WP2XGY and WP2FXD. The bandwidth requested for these licenses was noted as 223.000MHz - 224.900MHz. ERPs in the Kilowatts were requested and authorized. It is implied from our sources that neither the applicant nor the processor of the application understood that Amateur Radio was present. This lack of awareness at FCC is most disturbing. And must be corrected by appropriate education.
?
Granted in December of 2024, the existence of these licenses were unknown to us until some sleuthing following repeated instances of interference. One such example of interference began to occur earlier in the year, cause then unknown, to a repeater we operate on Saddle Peak above Malibu, CA. The behavior manifested as if someone or something were jamming the input with unmodulated carriers. Its duration roughly 1.5 seconds and spaced 3-4 seconds apart. At first, it seemed either malicious interference or a device gone awry. Perhaps spurious. It would come and go without much reason.?
?
This interference continued until just days ago. Our Saddle Peak 224.34 system was unusable during its activity. Beyond random interference to our day-to-day communications, interference occurred in January during the Palisades Fire disaster. At a time when our system was handling emergency traffic, we were precluded from using 220. Numerous 220 repeaters in the west side/south bay were most affected with more beyond through the overall test period.
?
Some diligent research revealed the who, the what and the where. The licenses and supporting documentation were discovered and disseminated as system operators affected communicated with each other. This is where we learned of the experimental licenses, their locations, their purpose and their operator - Caos Capital LLC. The interfering signals were documented by spectrum captures showing multiple behaviors. Often, a wide bandwidth signal would occupy the 223.000-224.900 area and beyond. Narrower carriers would rise above this and manifest the 1.5s/3.5s type of cycling we observed spaced across this same bandwidth.
?
Affected also were simplex operators, not solely repeaters. LA DCS Simplex operations among them were subject to significant interference. The noise floor of affected receivers at repeater sites, mobiles, base stations and handhelds in the area was raised substantially thus reducing their effective sensitivity. Even without a carrier present on channel from the experimental system, this wideband noise drowned out all but the strongest of intended signals.
?
?
A documentation and complaint submission effort ensued over the last month's time. Coordinating these efforts is Skip Blomer (KD6JA), retired from LA County SO Communications and active with LA DCS. Working with him is Deane Bouvier (N5DQ) among others. These gentlemen gave us first insight into the true nature of this problem. Working together, it appears efforts to resist this incursion into our 222MHz band have succeeded. As of yesterday 03/26, we were told the FCC directed Caos Capital to terminate operations. Through our coordinated efforts of documenting and communicating real issues, and channeling this to the appropriate officials, this step has succeeded.
?
However, let us not rest on our laurels and declare premature total victory. This case clearly demonstrates the threat to Amateur Radio spectrum remains clear and present. If we expect to retain it, we must promote awareness beyond simply utilizing the spectrum itself. Community involvement, education, demonstration, presence are key. The price of freedom, and of spectrum, is eternal vigilance. Use it, defend it or lose it. My late colleague Andy Seybold (W6AMS), known to many of you, warned me about 3 years ago that we should expect a challenge to the 222-225MHz band. This may be the first in multiple challenges we face. Andy was deeply wise and interlaced into the Telecommunications sector at all levels.
?
I want to thank Skip Blomer (KD6JA) in particular for spearheading efforts of this latest defense. And to Deane Bouvier (N5DQ), John Hudson (WA6HYQ), Sam Skolfield (KJ6QFS), Joe Lanphen (WB6MYD) and others providing input, observed data and more toward making this happen. And last but not least, those at the FCC who, when presented with the evidence, took the necessary action curtailing it. As you will note in the attached document, representatives of Caos Capital LLC indicated initial operation from March 2024 occurred "without complaint." This aligns with issues many of us were having prior to the November/December grant of the Part 5 licenses. Troubles which we collectively had not identified & correlated and likely considered transitory in nature. A reminder to pay attention and follow through.
?
Let's be sure we learn the lessons and apply that knowledge going forward. If you find strange occurrences on the airwaves, there may be a greater story behind it. Observe, record and report. Had this situation been ignored, it could've cost us 222-225MHz like our loss of 220-222MHz in the 1990s. Let's avoid unforced errors and loss.
?
Regards,
Matt Lechliter W6XC
The GRONK Radio Network
