[CTSARA] FCC Amends Rules for Ham Radio (Emergency) Radio Communications

[Jonathan Solomon]

>From http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/103500


FCC Amends Ham Radio Emergency Communications Rules
July 15, 2010

                  
    
        
                                            
                    
                        
                            
                                                            
                                                       
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                                                                                                WASHINGTON: The Federal Communications Commission this week amended its ham radio rulesto allow users to transmit emergency messages on behalf of employers.

“Many state andlocal governments, public safety agencies, and hospitals incorporate amateurradio operators and the communication capabilities of the amateur service intotheir emergency planning,” the FCC Reportand Order states. Land mobile radio is the primary meansof communications for emergency responders, it said, but “experience has shownthat amateur radio has played an important role in preparation for, during, andin the aftermath of, natural and man-made emergencies and disasters.” 

Current rules allowhams to operate during emergencies, but prohibit communications on behalf ofemployers. There are some exceptions, though none that permit hams who workfor public safety agencies or hospitals, for example, to participate in drills,tests and exercises. Nor are they allowed to transmit messages on behalf ofemployers. The FCC ham rules were amended to allow such participation.

“We amend the rulesto permit amateur radio operators to transmit messages, under certain limitedcircumstances, during either government-sponsored or non-government sponsoredemergency and disaster preparedness drills, regardless of whether the operatorsare employees of entities participating in the drill.”
-- Deborah D. McAdams