[PPRAANet] Letter to Joel Hefley

[Rick Brown]

I have just typed in a generic letter to your representative that was
published by 10-10 International in an effort to get members to support H.R.
4720.  I also included Rep. Hefley's Colorado Springs address.  You may wish
to use his Wshington or Englewood address.  I urge you to write to him with
your beliefs on this issue.  You may want to add information you believe
that is import, such as how difficult it is to purchase a home these days in
an area that does not have CC&Rs.  Please do not use any vitriolic or
abusive language that would cause him to disregard the letter out of hand.
Consider anything you say carefully!

Thanks,

Rick
K0SU
PPRAA President 2002


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Your Return Address

Representative Joel Hefley
104 South Cascade, Suite 106
Colorado Springs, CO  80903
(719) 520-0056

Dear Representative Hefley:

I urge you to co-sponsor H.R 4720, the "Amateur Radio Emergency
Commmunications Consistency Act" sponsored by Rep. Steve Israel.  The bill
would alleviate a problem facing many federally licensed Amateur Radio
operators living within development communities who are subject to
unreasonable restrictions or outright prohibitions regarding the
installation of external antennas.

Under current law, the FCC applies a policy that instructs states and
localities that they must reasonably accomodate Amateur Radio antennas.  The
policy, however, fails to address situations affecting private land-use
groups.  Rep. Israel's bill would ensure consistent application of these
regulations.

This legislation seeks to insure that  Amateur Radio operators are available
for emergency communications in all sections of the country, regardless of
whether they live in a development, such as a retirement community, or
townhouse subdivision.  Restrictions against antennas render Amateur Radio
operators unable to utilize their licenses, which in turn may ultimately
hinder their emergency communications role during times of disaster or
national crisis.

Amateur radio provides a vital public safety communications service to the
public ant no cost to the taxpayers.  I hope you will join Rep. Israel in
co-sponsoring his bill.

I look forward to hearing from you as you consider this important
legislation.

Sincerely,

your Signature