DA 01-2852

December 7, 2001

**[Private Land Mobile Radio -- Monitoring Levels\
for Non-Exempt\
Trunked Systems On Channels Between 150-512 MHz]{.smallcaps}**

By this *Public Notice*, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau)
accepts and approves the consensus monitoring levels for non-exempt
trunked systems operating on Private Land Mobile Radio (PLMR) channels
between 150-512 MHz. These monitoring levels were recommended by the
Commission's certified Frequency Advisory Committees ("FACs" or
"coordinators") for PLMR spectrum.

By way of background, in its *Report and Order and Further Notice of
Proposed Rule Making* in WT Docket No. 98-182 (*R&O*), the Commission
recognized centralized, decentralized and hybrid trunked systems and
clarified that the Part 90 monitoring requirements apply to all trunked
operations on shared channels.[^1] Specifically, the Commission
clarified that:

-   A "trunked radio system" is any radio system employing technology
    that provides the ability to search two or more available channels
    and automatically assign a user an open channel. *See* 47 C.F.R. §
    90.7.

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-   Trunked radio systems operating on PLMR channels between 150-512 MHz
    must employ equipment that prevents transmission on a trunked
    frequency if a signal from another system is present on that
    frequency. The level of monitoring must be sufficient to avoid
    causing harmful interference to other systems. *See* 47 C.F.R.
    § 90.187(b).

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-   [Exception]{.underline}: A frequency in a trunked radio system is
    exempt from the monitoring requirements if (1) in the 470-512 MHz
    band, and the licensee meets the loading requirements of 47 C.F.R. §
    90.313 and has exclusivity in its service area; or\
    (2) the licensee has obtained consent from all "affected licensees"
    using either the "mileage separation" or "protected contours"
    procedures under 47 C.F.R. § 90.187(b)(2).

Furthermore, the Commission stated that it would rely on the certified
FACs to specify a "level" of monitoring and that the FACs must develop
and employ uniform procedures concerning the certification of
applications proposing trunked systems that require monitoring.[^2]

On February 2, 2001, the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC),
which includes all of the FACs as members, reported on the monitoring
standards agreed to by all the coordinators.[^3] Subsequently, on June
8, 2001, the Bureau's Public Safety and Private Wireless Division
(Division) asked the LMCC to confirm or correct the Division's
understanding of the FACs' consensus position,[^4] and the LMCC did so
on July 31, 2001.[^5] Accordingly, we hereby approve and accept the
monitoring levels and related criteria as set forth in the Attachment
hereto.

For further information, contact Mr. Brian Marenco of the Policy and
Rules Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau at

\(202\) 418-0838, TTY (202) 418-7233, or via email to bmarenco@fcc.gov.

Action by the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division,
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

-- FCC --

***The monitoring levels are as follows:***

[Level 1 Monitoring]{.underline}: The repeater (base station) will
monitor the [input]{.underline} channel for transmit signals coming from
co-channel mobile and portable units. The corresponding repeater
[output]{.underline} channel will be disabled during the co-channel
mobile or portable unit's transmission.

[Level 2 Monitoring]{.underline}: The repeater (base station) will
monitor the [output]{.underline} channel for transmit signals coming
from co-channel base stations. The corresponding repeater
[output]{.underline} channel will be disabled during the co-channel base
station's transmission.

***The monitoring levels will apply to the following systems:***

All trunked systems (YG or YW) with an FB2, FB4, FB6 or FB7 station
class code (but not FB8) will be subject to the new procedures.

> ***FACs will recommend the appropriate level of monitoring\
> using the following uniform procedures:***

[All non-exempt trunked systems]{.underline}: FACs will provide each
applicant with a written explanation about the need for employing the
appropriate level of monitoring, including a notation that compliance
with FAC-recommended monitoring levels does not exempt a licensee from
the Commission's Rules. *See, e.g.*, 47 C.F.R. § 90.403(e) (licensees
have a continuing obligation to take reasonable precautions to avoid
causing harmful interference).\
\
[Level 1]{.underline}: All FAC certifications for applications for
non-exempt trunked systems will recommend Level 1 monitoring.\
\
[Level 2]{.underline}: In some cases, due to factors such as topology,
geography, congestion levels, or non-standard pairs or unpaired
frequencies (many existing licensees in the 150-174 MHz band employ
non-standard pairs or unpaired frequencies), FACs will use their
discretion to also recommend Level 2 monitoring to supplement Level 1
monitoring. FACs recognize that Level 2 monitoring will require the
applicant/licensee to purchase additional equipment. As such, FACs will
carefully and judiciously recommend this requirement. In cases where
Level 2 monitoring is recommended, the FAC will specifically indicate
that "Level 2 monitoring" should be added as a "Special Condition" to
the license grant.

[^1]: 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review 47 C.F.R. Part 90 - Private Land
    Mobile Radio Services, WT Docket No. 98‑182, *Report and Order and
    Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making*, 15 FCC Rcd 16,673, 16,686 ¶
    25 (2000) (*recon. pending*) (*R&*O).

[^2]: *R&O*, 15 FCC Rcd at 16,686 ¶ 25.

[^3]: Letter from Michele Farquhar, Esq., President, Land Mobile
    Communications Council, to Thomas J. Sugrue, Esq., Chief, Wireless
    Telecommunications Bureau, FCC, dated February 2, 2001.

[^4]: Letter from D'wana R. Terry, Chief, Public Safety and Private
    Wireless Division, FCC, to Michele Farquhar, Esq., President, Land
    Mobile Communications Council (June 8, 2001).

[^5]: Letter from Robert M. Gurss, Esq., President, Land Mobile
    Communications Council, to D'wana R. Terry, Chief, Public Safety and
    Private Wireless Division, FCC, dated July 31, 2001 (confirmed that
    the Division's understanding of the two levels of monitoring, as
    restated in the Division's June 8, 2001 letter, is accurate).