[K3CAL] Fwd: [PVRC] “Amateur Radio Parity Act”

Thu Jul 17 11:46:20 EDT 2014

More info on the proposed legislation and ways to support it. 

Thanks Wayne 

Shawn - N3AE 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Rogers, Wayne" <n1wr at chesapeake.net> 
To: "N3AE" <n3ae at comcast.net> 
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2014 11:37:36 AM 
Subject: Fwd: [PVRC] “Amateur Radio Parity Act” 

Shawn - Good info in this PVRC message you might want to share/pass on. 

73, Wayne 

-------- Original Message -------- 
Subject: 	[PVRC] “Amateur Radio Parity Act” 
Date: 	Thu, 17 Jul 2014 09:14:56 -0400 
From: 	Pat <pz20003 at gmail.com> 
To: 	PVRC Submissions <pvrc at mailman.qth.net> 

For the information of all

regards http://www.arrl.org/news/grassroots-campaign-underway-to-promote-co-sponsorship-of-amateur-radio-parity-act Grassroots Campaign Underway to Promote Co-Sponsorship of “Amateur Radio
Parity Act”
*TAGS:* 113th Congress <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:113th%20Congress> , amateur radio <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:amateur%20radio> , amateur radio
antennas <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:amateur%20radio%20antennas> , amateur
radio communication <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:amateur%20radio%20communication> ,
Amateur
Service rules <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:Amateur%20Service%20rules> , Director
Mike Lisenco <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:Director%20Mike%20Lisenco> , FCC
Amateur Service <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:FCC%20Amateur%20Service> , radio
amateurs <http://www.arrl.org/news/search/Tag.name:radio%20amateurs> 07/16/2014

A grassroots effort is underway to encourage radio amateurs to promote
co-sponsorship of *HR.4969* <http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/HR4969.pdf> , the Amateur Radio Parity
Act. The measure, introduced in the US House with bipartisan support on
June 25, would call on the FCC to apply the “reasonable accommodation”
three-part test of the *PRB-1* <http://www.arrl.org/prb-1> federal
pre-emption policy to private land-use restrictions regarding antennas. The
bill’s primary sponsor is Rep *Adam Kinzinger* <http://kinzinger.house.gov/> (R-IL), and it has initial co-sponsorship from Rep *Joe Courtney* <http://courtney.house.gov/> (D-CT). With Congress going on its August
recess in a few weeks, the campaign is focusing on contacting Members of
Congress or their staffers at or through their district offices.

“This is the ideal time for you to develop small teams of constituents to
approach members of Congress in their district offices,” said ARRL Hudson
Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, a principal proponent of HR.4969.
“Ideally, you’d want no more than three members to go to a meeting with a
Member of Congress or top staff members. These need to be active,
articulate individuals who present themselves well.” Getting additional
lawmakers to sign on as HR.4969 cosponsors is essential to the bill’s
success. Individual radio amateurs or clubs also may wish to e-mail or
write their representatives to urge them to cosponsor the bill.

The primary point to convey is that the greatest threat to Amateur Radio
volunteer emergency and public service communication is restrictions that
prohibit the installation of outdoor antenna systems. Nearly 30 years ago
the FCC, in adopting its PRB-1 policy, acknowledged a “strong federal
interest” in supporting effective Amateur Radio communication. In the
intervening years, PRB-1 has helped many amateurs to overcome zoning
ordinances that unreasonably restricted Amateur Radio antennas in
residential areas. The 11-page PRB-1 FCC *Memorandum Opinion and Order* is
codified at § *97.15(b)* <http://www.arrl.org/part-97-amateur-radio> in the
FCC Amateur Service rules, giving the regulation the same effect as a
federal statute. After the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ordered the FCC
to enact regulations preempting municipal *and* private land-use regulation
over small satellite dishes and TV broadcast antennas, the FCC further
acknowledged that it has jurisdiction to preempt private land-use
regulations that conflict with federal policy. The Commission has
indicated, however, that it won’t extend PRB-1 to private land-use
regulation unless Congress instructs it to do so.

If HR.4969 passes the 113th Congress, it would compel the FCC, within 120
days of the Bill’s passage, to amend the Part 97 Amateur Service rules to
apply PRB-1 coverage to include homeowners’ association regulations and
deed restrictions, often referred to as “covenants, conditions, and
restrictions” (CC&Rs). At this point, PRB-1 only applies to state and local
zoning laws and ordinances. HR.4969 has been referred to the House Energy
and Commerce Committee. Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), chairs that panel’s
Communications and Technology Subcommittee, which will consider the measure.

Among other tips, Lisenco advises groups setting up in-person visits with
representatives to pick a leader, listen carefully, and leave behind
information that supports your primary points plus a business card.
“Business cards are a big thing in DC,” he pointed out. “Make certain to
take them when going to DC or a district office.”

“This isn’t rocket science, but it does take planning and the ability to
state your case succinctly in no more than 15 minutes,” Lisenco said.
Delegations should follow up with a thank you note within 1 day and a
telephone call 1 week later.

An information sheet on HR.4969, a list of "talking points," and a sample
constituent letter are available at * http://www.arrl.org/hr-4969* <http://www.arrl.org/hr-4969> .
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