[FCARC] HR 607 News

[Craig Szczublewski]

This is a partial forward from Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director of the Great Lakes 
Division ARRL in regards to HR 607 and a new Senate bill S 1040:

+++ The Status of HR 607 +++

In preparing this issue of Words, I had drafted a brief update on the status of 
HR 607. It turns out that ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN also wrote an update 
which I can't really beat so I'm quoting from her statement as follows:

"The ARRL continues to coordinate activity among the amateur community in its 
opposition to H.R. 607 in its current form. While we do not object to the 
concept of a common, contiguous group of frequencies for emergency and first 
responders located in the “D-Block” area previously occupied by analog 
television, we vigorously oppose the “frequency swap” provision of HR 607 that 
would remove the amateur radio allocation between 420-440 MHz and auction it 
off. As of the end of May, over 6,000 letters were received by the ARRL’s 
Washington legislative consulting firm from ARRL members and interested parties 
for delivery to members of the United States House of Representatives.

While on the subject of HR 607, it is worth noting the letter generating utility 
developed by Rick Haltermon, KD4PYR has been responsible for over 13,000 letters 
to US Representatives over the past several weeks -- over 13,000! Of these, 867 
were generated at the Hamvention(TM). I believe that word of this great number 
of letters has spread among the House offices and has made the unpopularity of 
the proposed taking and sale of our frequencies very well known to its members. 
I continue to believe firmly that this is one we can win.

+++ S 1040 Introduced +++

US Senators Joe Lieberman (CT) and John McCain (AZ) have introduced S 1040 into 
the US Senate. This is the Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011. This bill 
has a similar objective to HR 607; however, it does not include taking any 
Amateur Radio frequencies. As is tru of HR 607, this bill would establish a 
contiguous group of frequencies for use by first-responders A commendable goal. 
Unlike HR 607, S 1040 would not take any Amateur Radio frequencies in 
accomplishing the goal. We do not oppose S 1040.

ARRL was able to give input while S 1040 was being written. CEO Dave Sumner, 
K1ZZ met with staff members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
Committee of the Senate and described the important roll Amateur Radio has taken 
during many disaster relief operations. Staff seemed to understand and 
appreciate the role of hams. The result appears to be the favorable position the 
new bill takes toward Amateur Radio frequencies.

Please know that it is not yet time to write your senator to support S 1040. If 
writing to support this bill seems appropriate in the future, you will be 
requested to do this.


More news as I find it!

Craig Szczublewski - KD8KBU