[TNham] PRB 1

[r miles]

Dear ARRL Member:

	I am contacting you as part of the ARRL Legislative Action “Grassroots” Program and asking you to get involved by writing to your Congressman/woman.

	One of the biggest challenges that amateurs face is antenna restrictions - those implemented by local governments and those originating from deed restrictions and building development covenants.  As you may know, the FCC’s PRB-1 limited preemption order offers amateurs some relief when facing zoning and building restrictions.  However, PRB-1 does not extend to include covenants, conditions and restrictions (known as CC&Rs).  These deed and property use restrictions strongly and negatively affect the ability of Amateur Radio service licensees to perform valuable emergency and disaster communications.  Finding a method to extend the PRB-1 protections is a key component of the ARRL Legislative Action Program.

	Recently Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced House Bill HR 2160 - the ‘‘Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009’’.   If enacted into law, HR 2160 would instruct the Secretary of Homeland Security to undertake a study and report its findings to Congress within 180 days. The study would spell out uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief. The study shall:

Include recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in 	disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts. 
Include recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and in 	furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives. 
Identify unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications -- such 	as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations -- and make 	recommendations regarding such impediments. 
Include an evaluation of Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104, 110 	Stat 56 [1996]). 
Recommend whether Section 207 should be modified to prevent unreasonable private land use 	restrictions that impair the ability of amateurs to conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency 	communications by means of effective outdoor antennas and support structures at reasonable 	heights	and dimensions for the purpose in residential areas. 

	While the bill does not automatically extend PRB-1 to include CC&Rs, it takes a first big step in that direction by determining the extent that things such as CC&Rs impede the Amateur Service in performing public and emergency service communications.

	HR2160 has been assigned to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Getting the bill out of committee is the first major hurdle to overcome – and that is where you play an essential role.  Your Congressperson is a member of that committee.  We need you to let them hear your voice of support for HR2160.

	Attached to this email is a draft letter for you to personalize and send to your Congressman/woman.  I am asking that you first personalize the letter (including your name and address).  After that, I ask that you send the letter to Chwat & Co, our representation in Washington.  To facilitate the process, you may either email the letter directly to them at arrl at chwatco.com or fax the letter to their office at 703-684-7594. Their staff will be hand delivering your letter (along with the letters of others) directly to the various Congressional offices.  If you choose to send your letter directly to your member of Congress, please still email or fax a copy as directed above.  This will allow Chwat’s staff to most effectively represent the ARRL in this process.

	HR 2160 can go a long way towards assisting thousands of amateurs who are restrained unreasonably by CC&Rs.  However, it is going to take a concerted effort by all amateurs for this effort to be successful.  Time can become critical – so please act quickly in contacting your Representative.  Together our voices can be heard and make a difference.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, or the ARRL Regulatory Information office at reginfo at arrl.org 

	Thanks and 73
K9IL  LAA District 7 W TN
.....................................................................................

Dear Congress........

	  As a voter in your district, as one of the  federally licensed Amateur Radio operators in your district and representing nearly 700,000 licensees across the nation, I ask for your support of H.R. 2160, the “‘Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009”, which was introduced by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

	H.R. 2160 instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security to undertake a study, and report its findings to Congress within 180 days, on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief. This study should:

Include recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts;
Include recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and in furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives;
Identify unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications, such as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations, and make recommendations regarding such impediments;
Include an evaluation of section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 	104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996)); and
Recommend whether section 207 should be modified to prevent unreasonable private land 	use restrictions that impair the ability of amateurs to conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency communications by means of effective outdoor antennas and support structures at reasonable heights and dimensions for the purpose, in residential areas.

	Amateur Radio operators across the US repeatedly demonstrate our commitment to public service and emergency communications. Through our work with Homeland Security activities, state and local Emergency Management offices, and with numerous private agencies, Amateur Radio operators make a difference.  We need your support to help address the challenges facing us as we seek to improve our capabilities to serve.

	Please consider co-sponsoring H.R. 2160 and please support the bill as it works its way through the committee and on to full House consideration.

					Sincerely,


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