Extend Interference Protection to the Marine and Aeronautical Distress and Safety Frequency 406.025 MHz

In this document the Commission adopts rules that extend interference protection to all of the international digital search and rescue frequencies in the 406 MHz band. These frequencies are used to detect and locate emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPRIBs) and emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) in the event of an emergency. Previously, the Commission extended protection to the analog search and rescue frequencies at 121.5 and 243.0 MHz. Digital beacons are said to be more effective and give off fewer false alerts than analog beacons. As digital beacons become increasingly popular, the need to protect them becomes more important. This Report and Order protects these newer digital beacons from interference from cable systems. At the same time, this Report and Order avoids placing undue burden on the cable operators by providing a new digital measurement technique for systems with digital channels. In addition, this document streamlines and cleans up our rules by removing some outdated rules and correcting others to maintain consistency through the different rule parts.