Please no not approve RM-11831. The variety of digital modes is constantly increasing, and the newer modes are improving the efficiency of communications.  This should be encouraged, not discouraged.  This petition will eliminate much of the backup emergency communications ability in the U.S.  This ability has been proven over and over in disasters.  

I handled hundreds of messages from Alaska on Morse Code after the 1964.  We no longer have this ability since Morse is no longer required for an Amateur license.  We have much more reliable modes today, such as the VARA, AMTOR, and PACTOR 2, 3, and 4 used by my Winlink gateway station.  

I live on an island with no bridges in Puget Sound.  Our EOC is equipped with these modes and our resiliency in a major disaster would be greatly reduced without this modes.  Thank you.

Albert K. Francisco K7NHV