[HIham] Jan 4th Election Information (long post)
Russell Houlton
[email protected]
Fri, 3 Jan 2003 00:33:56 -1000
I know one of the topics hams avoid talking about is politics. But given
how government affects all of us and our hobby, sometimes it just has to be
discussed.
This Saturday is the election for the 2nd Congressional District. I've sent
a email to the top contenders to poll them on their position on the two
bills (HR 4720 and HR 817) that were introduced that affect Amateur Radio.
I realize the bills are dead but I fully expect them to be re-introduced. A
fuller explanation is at the end of this email.
Their responses are listed below in alphabetical order. None of their
replies has been edited or changed. Because there were so many candidates
(44), I selected the ones I polled by seeing if their names were mentioned
in Sunday's Honolulu Advertiser article.
The original letter sent to the candidates is at the very end.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Whitney Anderson - No email or Web page found to submit questions to
-----------------
John Carroll - No response so far
-----------------
Ed Case
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 9:16 PM
Russell: Based on your description of the two bills, and my general support
for open airwaves and ham operators, I believe I would support these two
measures. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and the ham
community. With aloha, Ed Case
-----------------
Frank Fasi
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 11:36 AM
Dear Mr. Houlton,
Do I support HR 4720 & 817?
My answer is yes...If elected, one of my jobs will be to join Neil
Abercrombie to co-sponsor, if needed, a new "Radio Emergency
Communications Consistency Act" (H.R.4720).
Can we count on your... aloha spirit this coming Saturday?
Aloha,
Frank F. Fasi
-----------------
Colleen Hanabusa
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 1:22 PM
Dear Mr. Houlton:
I researched with interest HR 4720 and HR817. HR 4720 appears to be
indicative of the tensions between rules and covenants of planned
communities and the need for Amateur Radio operators to have access to
outdoor antennas. HR 4720 will, in essence, define private covenants as if
they were land use like laws. I assume the purpose of HR 4720 is to provide
preemptive protection of the rights to have antennas. I have no problems
with joining Rep. Abercrombie in his support of the bill.
As for HR 817, it is the issue of radio spectrum. I have noted that Sen.
Akaka has co sponsored the Senate version of the bill. I have the greatest
respect for Sen. Akaka and would support the preservation of the spectrums
for hobby use.
I trust this answers your questions. If you have need for clarification
please do not hesitate to e-mail me again.
-----------------
Kimo Kaloi
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 1:50 PM
I saw the original E-mail that went out to you. I do not know why that did
not make it to your E-mail.
Sorry this is so quick. I support both bills. I worked on them while I was
a congressional staffer. I believe HAM radio is a very important part of
our emergency system and it is an interest that breeds the scientist of the
future.
Kimo Kaloi
-----------------
Barbara Marumoto
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 3:44 AM
I glad to learn about the service that Amateur Radio provides to the
community. I would be happy to sponsor a measure to help out.
Aloha and Mahalo, Barbara
www.marumoto4congress.com
-----------------
Matt Matsunaga
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 4:19 PM
Aloha Mr. Houlton,
I apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry.
Please be assured that I understand the role that amateur radio has played,
particularly in times of need in communities around the nation. The issues
you raise are important, and like the members of our Congressional
delegation have in the past, I would be supportive of proposals such as HR
4720 and HR 817. I fear that in actions such as auctioning portions of the
spectrum to the highest bidders, the Federal Government and the Federal
Communications Commission is jeopardizing its mission of acting in the
public interest, convenience, and necessity; the threat posed to amateur
radio is but one element of the broader issues and implications of
regulation that I believe need closer oversight by Congress.
Thank you for your interest, and again, my apologies for the delay in
responding to you.
Aloha,
Matt Matsunaga
-----------------
Bob McDermott
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 9:13 AM
Yes, Russ. I support your position!
Aloha,
Bob
-----------------
Jim Rath
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 8:02 AM
Aloha Russell,
My stand is "fully supportive." My younger brother, Steve has been a Ham
since he was about 19 years old (he is now 47). WD8AMV, I believe is his
call sign. He is an "expert" or whatever the highest rating you can get is
and was past president of the Ham association in Ohio. Trekking off to the
"Ham-vention" is his annual trip. As far as I know, Ham radio is his only
hobby.
I certainly know first hand how much good Ham operators have done.
I am in favor of reasonable accommodations for radio antennas and for
preservation of the radio bands.
As a pilot since I was 18, general aviation is losing airspace and its
accommodations as well, so I can empathize with what is happening with Ham
operators.
Thanks for the note.
With best regards,
JIM RATH
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
The following is the orginal email sent to each of the candidates listed at
around 11:59PM Sunday
----------------
Dear Mr. Candidate,
I am writing this message to learn your stand on H.R. 4720 and H.R. 817 -
two acts that are of interest to local Amateur Radio (a.k.a. �ham�)
operators. While both bills have expired, the situation necessitating
their introduction hasn�t changed. They will no doubt be re-introduced in
the next session.
Amateur Radio has multiple missions: To provide �public service �
particularly with respect to providing emergency communications�,
�advancement of the radio art�, �advancing skills�, �expansion of the
existing reservoir � of trained operators, technicians, and electronics
experts�, and �to enhance international goodwill� (Title 47 CFR 97.1)
The most visible aspect is public service both through local events and
emergency communications. Frequently in any given week Amateur Radio is
involved in disaster recovery somewhere in the US.
(http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/) Tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis,
earthquakes, ice storms, fires, and airliner crashes are just some of the
events. Served agencies include American Red Cross, Salvation Army, National
Weather Service, FEMA, State and local governments. All of this in the
spirit of community volunteerism, and at no cost to the government.
Locally Amateur Radio has an outstanding record of service. It�s involved
with local community events such as the Honolulu Marathon, Aloha Fun Run and
Aloha Week Parade. It�s also a part of State Civil Defense, Oahu Civil
Defense, Hospitals, and National Weather Service standing ready in the event
of a disaster. In the immediate aftermath of hurricane Iniki, it was the
only form of communication available between Kauai and Oahu.
(http://home1.gte.net/rhashiro/am-radio/emcomm/iniki.htm)
But Amateur Radio needs help.
One of the big issues facing Amateurs is that nearly all housing being
created is part of a condominium or planned community that either severely
restricts if not outright bans outdoor antennas for aesthetic reasons. If
only a few developments banned antennas this wouldn�t be such a problem, but
because this rule is universally adopted by all developments it has become
de facto local law. An Amateur Radio operator is faced with either trying
to find acceptable housing in an older community (and getting the spouse to
accept it) or curtailing if not abandoning the hobby. Laws already exist to
insure local governments �reasonably accommodate� Amateur Radio. [101 FCC
2d 952 (1985)] (An abbreviated discussion of issues can be seen at
.http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/amateur/prb/index.html) The "Amateur
Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act" - H.R. 4720, extends this
�reasonable accommodation� to private covenants, conditions and restrictions
(CC&R). Pasty Mink and Neil Abercrombie where both co-sponsors of the bill.
The other major issue is one of radio spectrum. Without radio spectrum to
use, Amateur Radio will cease to exist. In the past spectrum was issued
based on public good. But recently the Federal Government has turned to
auctioning off spectrum to commercial enterprises. Since Amateur Radio is a
volunteer service can not compete financially for spectrum. The Amateur
Radio bands have been likened to a technological public park. It exists to
provide a place for individuals to explore, experiment, learn and serve.
(http://www.arrl.org/govrelations/arspa-backgrounder.html ) HR 817 Amateur
Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2001 was introduced to insure the
preservation of what spectrum the hobby currently has. Senator Daniel K.
Akaka cosponsored the companion bill S 817.
While I do not live in your district, I intend to share your answer with
others who do. I�m looking forward to your reply. Can we count on your
support of Amateur Radio in it�s mission to serve, educate and spread the
aloha spirit?
Russell Houlton
WH7O