[PaQSO] FW: Immediate Action Requested for PA Antenna Bill

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

Forwarded on behalf of W3YNI for all Pa Amateur Radio Operators.

On suggestion, though:  If you choose to contact your State Representative,
as I hope all Pa Hams will do, please use these "form letters" as templates,
and phrase it in your own words.  If it looks like a "form letter bomb"
campaign, it can be explained away or ignored.  But if it looks like YOU are
speaking, and the result is hundreds or thousands of different emails, it
will have a lot more effect!

73, ron w3wn
------------------------------
Gentleman,
     Please see the attached document from Joe, N3TTE.  They're sample
letters to be sent to your local rep as well as Rep Dwight Evans, the Chair
of the House Appropriations Committee.

After speaking to my local representative his office suggested that all
interested parties
contact Representative Evans urging him to bring the bill out of Committee
and up to the house for a full vote.  AB3ER also called Rep. Evans office
and the staffer there commented that the Appropriations Committed was being
"used" to kill the bill.

We need to look like an 800 lb Gorilla who votes coming at these
representatives to keep the
special interest (PA State Association of Township Supervisors) from killing
this legislation.

Chuck / W3YNI

- - - - - - - - - - -

Dear Representative Xxxxxxxx

HB-1777, which I have previously asked you to support, has been sent to the
House Appropriations Committee at the request of a special interest group.

This is a purely political move by the Democratic Caucus to try to kill it.

Sending HB-1777 to the Appropriations Committee is not appropriate because
HB-1777 DOES NOT involve any expenditure of state funds.

I sent the following email to Representative Evans in an attempt to persuade
him to release the bill to the floor for a vote.

As an amateur radio operator and a voting constituent of yours, I and my
colleagues in your district would be very grateful if you would contact
Representative Evans and add your voice to ours.

Respectfully

Joe Ham


Dear Representative Evans

I am writing this email to request that HB-1777 be released from the
Appropriations Committee of which you are the chairman.

HB-1777 does not involve any appropriation of state funds, instead its
purpose is to show support for the Commonwealth's amateur radio operators
and to bring Pennsylvania law into agreement with federal law (PRB-1).  I
have read this bill on the General Assembly's website and will confirm that
it accurately echoes the equivalent Federal law and that it involves no
expense to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Amateur radio operators volunteer their own funds for equipment and other
expenses; in fact we are prohibited by Federal law from accepting any
remuneration for our services.  (Although I have on occasion accepted
coffee, water, or a donut.)

HB-1777 was sent to your committee by a special interest group in the hope
that it would languish until the end of this legislative session.

As a citizen of Pennsylvania, an amateur radio operator, and a willing
volunteer, I am respectfully requesting that release this bill from
committee to the floor, then vote in its favor when it comes up for a vote.

Amateur radio operators voluntarily use their equipment and expertise to
provide emergency communications to support government agencies and private
relief agencies, such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army during
emergencies and disasters. In fact, most county emergency
operations centers, such as the ones in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties,
include an amateur radio station.

As an example, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed communications facilities,
amateur radio operators in the affected area were the first to establish
emergency communications with the rest of the nation.

When Hurricane Ike struck earlier this year, amateur radio also was there
afterwards to support the various relief agencies.

Closer to home, when there was flooding along the local rivers several years
ago from the remnants of another hurricane, the local amateur radio
operators (including myself) assisted the police and fire, by reporting
emergency conditions using prearranged amateur frequencies to the local
emergency operation centers.  Then we went to fire stations and schools to
help coordinate the care of those who had to evacuate their homes.  And the
day after, we assisted with the damage assessment.  Because the cell phone
system was jammed with people trying to call home, amateur radio was used to
supplement normal emergency communications.

In addition, we also take part in various local and statewide emergency
drills, including WMD preparedness.

On June 28 and 29, amateur radio operators across the nation took part in a
yearly emergency communications exercise, called Field Day, in which we will
be operating simulated emergency radio communication centers.  In addition
to these emergency stations, amateur radio
operators also participated from their home stations as an essential part of
this exercise.

In the month of October, amateur radio operators throughout Pennsylvania and
the nation will take part in simulated emergency drills to verify that their
equipment and their skills will be ready to serve our Commonwealth and
nation when required to do so.

In summary, the amateur radio operators of Pennsylvania are a resource that
local governments and relief agencies can and do call on in an emergency of
during a disaster.  HB-1777 will help to ensure that we are available when
the Commonwealth and the nation require our
services.

Thank you,

Joe Ham