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Frequency coordination exists for the purpose of reducing or eliminating interference between
Amateur Repeaters. In Arkansas, the Arkansas Repeater Council, Inc., (ARC), is the recognized
Coordinator.
Frequency Coordination is voluntary. By obtaining coordination, you avail yourself the
Protection of the FCC if there is a problem between your repeater and an uncoordinated
repeater. The uncoordinated machine is responsible for correcting the problem, not you.
The ARC adheres to Regional (MACC) and National (NFCC) standards of coordination.
This requires working with other states to prevent interference to everyone. Since the different
organizations are voluntary, not everybody replies promptly. The ARC tries to provide
coordination within a sixty-day time frame. This time frame starts from the date of receipt by the
Coordinator, till responses from surrounding states that are affected by the coordination and
notification is sent back to the repeater owner or trustee. If a coordination response is not
received, the coordinator advises the state involved that the coordination is proceeding without
their input.
Proper completion of the application form speeds up the coordinating process. If there is a
change in the application during the coordination, the new information should be submitted
as soon as possible to the coordinator. After the coordination is completed and the repeater is on the air, ANY change in the operating parameters (transmit power, antenna height, ERP,
location or frequency) outside the published specifications, the coordination is automatically
void and the frequency will be returned to the pool for reassignment.
Deviation limits are as follows:
Power -
No more than 5 watts from coordinated power (at duplexer output)
Ant. Height -
No more than +50 ft. from coordinated height
ERP - 300
Watts maximum
Location -
Not more than 1 mile in any direction from coordinated location
Frequency -
No changes without re-coordination
If a frequency is not used or has stopped being used, the coordination will be voided 15 days
after receipt of notification to the repeater owner or trustee that this action will be taken unless
the repeater is put back into service. This action insures that frequencies remain available as
much as possible.
After a constuction permit has been issued by the coordinator, the applicant has 180 days to
complete the repeater installation and notify the coordinator that the repeater is operational,
after which the coordinator will issue a Completion Notice. If problems arise and more than 180
days are required, then the coordinator must be notified to request an extension of 60 days.
Coordination is voluntary and depends on you to help keep interference to a minimum.
When interference occurs between two coordinated repeaters, the ARC will work with all parties
involved to try and resolve the problem to everyone's satisfaction. The FCC has final jurisdiction
on any and all complaints.
The ARC charges a minimal fee for coordination to offset mailing and telephone charges.
The non-refundable fee is $10.00. ARC Members pay $5.00
Currently, fees for coordination have been suspended unless the Council Funds drop below a
pre-set level.
If for some reason coordination cannot be provided at the time of submission, the application
will be held for two years. If a frequency become available within that time, the application will
be processed with no additional cost.
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