SB QST @ ARL $ARLB056 ARLB056 FCC Declares Communications Emergency for Gulf Coast ZCZC AG56 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 56 ARLB056 From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT September 24, 2002 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB056 ARLB056 FCC Declares Communications Emergency for Gulf Coast At the request of ARRL Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, the FCC has declared that a general communications emergency exists for Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Forecasters believe that tropical storm Isidore could regain hurricane strength over the Gulf of Mexico and reach landfall September 26. Technical and Public Safety Division Chief Joseph P. Casey of the FCC Enforcement Bureau issued a declaration that requires amateurs to refrain from using 3873 kHz during hours of darkness and 7285 kHz during hours of daylight effective immediately and until rescinded. The FCC said the communications emergency could last as long as 14 days. Both frequencies are to be protected plus or minus 3 kHz unless amateurs are taking part in the handling of emergency traffic. NNNN /EX