[PPRAANet] Letter from Joel Hefley

[Frank Shelton]

I would suggest when you contact Hefley you emphasize the importance of Ham
radio in the public service, especially as it pertains to Homeland Defense.
The need for adequate antennas in order to support our role in homeland
defense will be significantly degraded by the continuing trend to more and
more covenants. Possibly noting the use of amateur radio following the
terrorists attacks of 9/11 could also be pointed out.

    73,
    Frank N�FS

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brown, Patrick E." <PATRICK.E.BROWN@saic.com>
To: <PPRAANet@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 11:56 AM
Subject: [PPRAANet] Letter from Joel Hefley


> Folks,
>
> As a result of our guest meeting a couple of months ago I wrote a letter
to
> Joel Hefley concerning the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2001
and
> reasonable accommodation for ham radio antenna.  This is the response I
> recently received.  I will let you draw your own conclusions from the
> letter.  I thought you would all be interested.
>
> Thanks and 73,
> Rick K0SU
> PPRAA President 2002
>
>
>
> Dear Mr. Brown:
>
> I have received your comments of February 19 in support of the
> Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2001 and reasonable accommodation
> for ham radio antennae.
>
> As you know, H.R. 817 was introduced by Rep. Michael Bilirakis,
> R-Florida, on March 1, 2001.  His bill, which seeks to ensure the
> availability of spectrum to amateur radio operators, has been referred to
> the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and
> Internet.  Although I am not a member of that subcommittee, your comments
> have been noted and I will have them in mind if and when H.R. 817 comes
> before the full House of Representatives for a vote.
>
> Your letter is the latest I have received concerning the reasonable
> accommodation question and frankly, I'm not optimistic.  Satellite dish
> owners received such treatment in the 1996 Telecommunications Act because,
> one, satellite dishes have greatly shrunk in size over the years and so
> could be truly unobtrusive.  Second, committee staffers, annoyed by the
> intrusive nature of many homeowner association covenants, wrote reasonable
> accommodation language into the bill.  I do not believe such provisions
can
> be won for ham radio operators.  For one, most ham antennae are obtrusive.
> Second, the amateur radio community does not enjoy the kind of political
> support satellite television did.
>
> Thank you for taking the time to write.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> <signed>
> Joel Hefley
> Member of Congress
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