[ETS/PARC List] There is a new sheriff in town. The FCC has appointed Laura Smith to take Riley Hollingsworth’s former position in enforcement.

[Drew Moore]

Drew - we were discussing this today on the repeater and I think it was 
Jeff AC2X who said he heard some "4-landers" say that "they were glad 
the new FCC enforcement person had a 4-call"...apparently she is not yet 
a ham, according to this news item below:

73,

N2GJ

There is a new sheriff in town. The FCC has appointed Laura L. Smith to 
take Riley Hollingsworth's former position in enforcement. The FCC's 
"Special Counsel for Amateur Radio" slot has gone unfilled for 6 months 
thus she has a backlog of work ahead of her. Fortunately she is up to 
the task. Laura is a seasoned FCC veteran with a broad communications 
background at both the FCC and in the private sector.

The FCC has been slow to fill the position and for a while we wondered 
if Riley's successor would ever be named. It looks like they were 
waiting for the right person. Now that Laura is on the job, let's give 
her our full support. If you have an enforcement issue, she may be 
reached by e-mail at: laura.smith at fcc.gov <mailto:laura.smith at fcc.gov>

Amateur radio has always been somewhat "self policed" but when peer 
pressure is not enough to maintain civility, then a stronger hand is 
needed. The FCC has the muscle to demand compliance of the few wayward 
operators. We can help also. Our bands are not perfect, newer licensee's 
need guidance on how to properly share the many bands, frequencies and 
modes of operation that we radio amateurs are privileged to use. Reach 
out and guide (elmer) someone so that they do not become an 
"enforcement" issue. That is part of elmering also; it is not just about 
technical items.

I know that some of you are wondering, "Is Laura a ham?" No, not yet, 
but she does have the study guides.

If you attend the Dayton Hamvention 2009 – May 15-17, you will have a 
chance to visit with her.

We welcome Laura to this position and wish her success.

73,
Terry Graves, K7FE
Editor QRZ.COM <http://QRZ.COM>