December 2009 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:18335] Staff Vacancy Notice
by K8JE 17 Dec '09

17 Dec '09

Dave, Excellent note regarding the open position for emcomm manager. This should make many of our members feel much more comfortable. Tnx, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio

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RE: [arrl-odv:18320] Emergency Preparedness & Response Manager
by Greg Sarratt 16 Dec '09

16 Dec '09

Currently, all but one of the PSC emergency communications subcommittee members has commented on the draft position description. Staff has a good draft and now has some good comments from the subcommittee to help them with the description. 73, Greg Sarratt, W4OZK _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 9:30 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18320] Emergency Preparedness & Response Manager Just to bring everyone up to date on the status of the Emergency Preparedness & Response Manager vacancy: The vacancy developed unexpectedly and suddenly, but it has given us the opportunity to review the position description and qualifications prior to initiating a search. Harold Kramer, Dave Patton and I went over them yesterday afternoon and decided that we would like to get input from the members of the Emergency Communications Subcommittee of P&SC. The draft revised position description and qualifications will go to the subcommittee members shortly. Our HR policy calls for the posting of vacancies internally before advertising them externally. Our objective is to have the internal posting done before Christmas and to begin external solicitation right after Christmas. 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:18333] Notice of Annual Meeting
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 16 Dec '09

16 Dec '09

<<accommodation form.doc>> No. 2192-S December 16, 2009 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING ALL DIRECTORS: In compliance with the requirements of the Articles of Association and the relevant provisions of the Bylaws, the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of The American Radio Relay League, Incorporated, is hereby called for 9:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, Friday, January 15, 2010, at the Windsor/Hartford Airport Marriott at 28 Day Hill Rd., Windsor, Connecticut. Arrangements have been made for a group dinner on the Thursday evening preceding: attitude adjustment at 5:30 P.M. and dinner at 6:00 P.M. Other group meals are Friday and Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Friday dinner. Note that there will be a cash bar, not an open bar, prior to the dinners. Purchases from the cash bar are not reimbursable. We expect the meeting will conclude by 5:00 P.M. on Saturday. Honorary vice presidents, directors emeritus, past presidents, and past directors are invited to attend in observer status at personal expense. Vice directors are authorized to attend with expenses charged to the Board Meeting account. Cash advances are available upon request for those traveling at League expense. Transportation from and to Bradley International Airport will be provided by Marriott. There is a Marriott courtesy phone located in the baggage claim area. An accommodation form accompanies this Notice; please return the form or respond by email as soon as possible to Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ, at HQ: lkustosik(a)arrl.org. Accompanying spouses are invited to attend breakfast and dinner with the Board family. The tentative agenda for the meeting will be circulated separately by email. Proposed amendments to the Articles of Association and Bylaws that have been circulated by email prior to this notice have met the advance notice requirement of Article 9. It is requested that insofar as possible, motions to be submitted at the meeting be prepared in advance in writing so that a copy can be handed to the Secretary at the time of presentation. It is important that the motion as handed to the Secretary be the same as that submitted for Board consideration. While we will have word-processing and duplicating capability at the meeting site, this should not replace advance preparation. If you wish to have a proposed motion circulated in advance, either send it to me as soon as possible or post it on the Board's electronic remailer. Please also note Standing Order 30: "Each Director offering a motion requiring the expenditure of funds for implementation shall include with the motion his [or her] estimate of the costs involved and the suggested method of funding those costs." Also note Minute 42 of the 2004 Annual Meeting: "Any motion to create or substantially modify a program or activity shall include documentation of the expected revenue and expense generated by the proposed program or activity." Sincerely, David Sumner, K1ZZ Secretary

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[arrl-odv:18332] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 16 Dec '09

16 Dec '09

<<121609.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 32, No. 50 December 16, 2009 -- Covers the period December 6-12. Upcoming Meetings and Events Annual Board Meeting: January 15-16, 2010 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT Administration &Finance Committee: January 14 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Web Site Update Reported by Katie Glass We're continuing to populate the pages with content. We're about 90% of the way to completion. We will stop populating the page editor at the end of the first week in January in order to begin the testing and polishing phase for launch at the end of the month. Thank you to all of the team leaders for their hard work and patience during this phase of the project. Technical Relations Reported by Brennan Price, N4QX ARRL will attempt to resolve the impasse on the US position on AI 1.23 by proposing 472-487 kHz. If the Coast Guard insists on substantially less spectrum than 15 kHz, then ARRL will insist on returning to the 493-515 kHz range. Jon Siverling is resisting efforts by Current Technologies to insert what can only be described as a puff piece for BPL-based Smart Grid into an ITU-R Report. We have conducted interviews for the vacant office administrator's position and anticipate filling it soon. Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND Plans have been finalized for ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, and ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, to visit the Beale AFB PAVE PAWS radar site January 5-10. During the meeting, Ed and Dan will hold a series of meetings with both Air Force officials and local amateurs. The focus will be to begin developing cooperative, constructive engagement between the local amateurs and the staff to continue cooperative efforts to mitigate interference to the radar voluntarily while maintaining as much access to the 70 cm band as possible. We will also meet with Major "Tank" Anderson, KR4YO, and Barbara Burnett, the PIO for Cape Cod AFS, to write an article for the ARRL Web, an Air Force publication, and possibly QST updating the efforts of the Air Force, ARRL and the local amateur communities on both coasts on this project. During the week a rough draft document was prepared in conjunction with General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, discussing several options for addressing the continuing concerns over the appropriate use of amateur radio, especially in relationship to drills and exercises. When finished, it will be forwarded by Imlay to the Executive Committee for their consideration. The FCC dismissed two petitions during the week. The first, from Murray Green, K3BEQ, would have abolished closed repeaters. The second, from Glen Zook, K9STH, would have changed station ID rules back to a more stringent standard. Finally, there was the usual assortment of renewal and licensing questions, as well as questions on reciprocity and third party traffic. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Media Hits for Feb was written noting the string of technical publications that recently promoted Amateur Radio with ARRL's help and climaxing with Linux Journal special edition. While we await the 2010 broadcasts of several TV and radio segments in which we have aided producers with info about Amateur Radio , Ted Randall of the QSO Radio Show and I are looking into plans for doing some live broadcasts from ARRL HQ, probably in February. Nominations for the Leonard Award were due for postmark on Dec 11 and we await the final entries coming in the mails - there are not many of them, but some of what were sent in are really excellent works. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH Development revenue year- to-date now totals $847,246 from all sources. This total is 90.5% of the 2009 goal of the originally budgeted goal of $936,425. The ARRL Diamond Club has reached $228,555 toward the 2009 target of $250,000. Donors who contribute $100 or more before December 31 will receive a 2010 ARRL Calendar as a bonus. The Spectrum Defense Fund has garnered $ 226,087 for the year or nearly 73% of its 2009 target of $310,000. Contributions of $30 or more to ARRL between December 1 and December 31 will receive a $10 discount coupon for use on their next publications purchase from ARRL. Development received the proceeds from the Dorothy Edmiston estate totaling $25,000. That gift has been added to the ARRL Endowment, bringing the total 2009 contributions to the Endowment to $97,314. Letters to 2009 donors to the Education & Technology Program were mailed including an advance copy of the article on 2010 plans that will appear in February 2010 QST. The content for the Development section of the new ARRL website is 98% complete. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The January/February 2010 issue of QEX has been released to the printer. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter for December 10, 2009. She also voiced and produced ARRL Audio News for December 10. The ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News will not be produced December 24 and December 31. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R A 20,000 piece mailing sent to Technician licensees has returned 176 new and lapsed members since it was mailed 6 weeks ago - a .88% response rate so far. The mailing was divided to test 2 different appeals, one with a "get involved" appeal, and the other focusing on a membership incentive (leading). Membership Manager Diane Petrilli participated in a West Gulf Division webinar on Wednesday, discussing plans for an upcoming Club Recruitment Drive. The drive, suggested by Director Woolweaver, involves radio clubs throughout the West Gulf Division-promoting ARRL membership and club membership. The last major membership mailing of the year has returned 68 applications in the last week. Recent holiday-themed broadcast emails have helped solicit gift memberships, multi-year memberships, and product sales. A recent emailing to 1,500 lapsed international members with an incentive for 3-year terms has returned 20 responses so far. During the last week, the warehouse crew fulfilled 1,394 packages for publication and product orders, shipped 110 member premiums, and completed 1 QST mailing supplement. ARRL Conventions Date Name Division City State ARRL HQ Rep. Jan 10 NLI Section (Ham Radio University) HU Bethpage NY Steve Ford Jan 29-30 Delta Division DL Jackson MS Feb 6 South Carolina State RK Ladson SC Feb 6 Virginia State RK Richmond VA Feb 12-14 Northern Florida Section SE Orlando FL Feb 27 Vermont State NE Colchester VT Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N W1AW Joe worked the early afternoon/night shifts on Monday and Tuesday for the vacationing Scott Gee. He processed both regular QSL card requests and cards going to foreign operators who contacted W1AW/qrp during the ARRL Sweepstakes CW contest. Joe also rewrote text that will be used on the ARRL Web page. This text details the visitor operating studios and main areas in W1AW. Joe updated the N1MLogger logging software on all the studio PCs and prepared Studio Three for the ARRL 10-Meter contest. Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the middle part of the month of December. In addition, he continued work on processing various DXCC plaque applications. Field Organization/Public Service Team Marc Tarplee, N4UFP, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has been appointed the new ARRL South Carolina Section Manager starting January 1. He will complete the term of Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, who will become the Roanoke Division Vice Director in January. This SM term continues for one more year (until December 31, 2010). When Jim announced that he was stepping down from his SM position after being elected in November as a Vice Director, he recommended Marc, who has been the South Carolina Technical Coordinator since 2003. MVP Manager Dave Patton made the appointment after consulting with Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson. Steve Ewald and Leona Adams have been in touch with Marc, N4UFP, to assist him with the upcoming Section Manager transition. Steve has also been compiling Field Organization Reports for February QST. Leona has contacted Section Managers who will starting new terms of office on April 1. Now that the end of the year is approaching, Leona is also working with Section Managers on their 2009 section budget expense reports and reimbursement requests. Radio amateurs from Nebraska, South Carolina, and North Carolina have recently completed their certification to become Official Observers. Chuck Skolaut received the monthly monitoring report from the IARU Region 1 coordinator. An unidentified digital signal was reported on 10.140 MHz and it was forwarded to our volunteer monitors to listen in. Meanwhile, Tennessee Official Observers are investigating weather information that is being broadcast on several repeaters. Interference cases in Michigan and New Hampshire, as well as on 3.910 MHz have caught the attention of OOs. The FCC has also asked Official Observers to monitor and document possible business use of Amateur Radio request from the FCC was forwarded to the appropriate area OOs and an FCC letter was sent regarding business use of amateur frequencies. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 12/25 Holiday All Staff 1/1 Holiday Margie Bourgoin 1/1-1/11 Vacation Steve Capodicasa 12/28 Vacation Joe Carcia 12/22pm Vacation Jackie Cornell 12/24 Vacation Steve Ford 12/22-12/31 Vacation Scott Gee 12/23-12/24 Vacation `` 12/31 Vacation `` 1/4-1/5 Vacation Joel Hallas 12/24 Vacation Penny Harts 12/24-12/31 Vacation Mary Hobart 12/24 Vacation Dan Henderson 12/21-1/4 Vacation `` 1/5-1/11 Beale AFB - PAVE PAWS project `` 3/5-3/7 S. Texas Section Convention/Greater Houston Hamfest Amy Hurtado 12/24-12/29 Vacation Gail Iannone 12/21-12/31 Vacation Khrystyne Keane 12/18 Vacation `` 12/23-12/31 Vacation Linda Kleinschmidt 12/29 Vacation Maryann Macdonald 12/28-12/31 Vacation Bill Moore 12/28-1/6 Vacation Diane Petrilli 12/21-12/28 Vacation `` 12/31 Vacation AnnMarie Pinto 12/24 Vacation Allen Pitts 12/24-12/31 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 12/24-12/31 Vacation Sharon Taratula 12/24 Vacation Perry Williams 12/23-12/28 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:18331] BPL on the back burner?
by William Sawders 16 Dec '09

16 Dec '09

Here is some great news from our local TV-Internet service. And, good new for Amateur Radio. Check this out... Merry Christmas to all. Bill Sawders, K7ZM ARRL Vice Director Northwestern Division New, faster wireless is here Broadband service can reach 15 Megabits per second and almost all of Central Oregon By Andrew Moore / The Bulletin Published: December 15. 2009 4:00AM PST Making use of the wireless spectrum it purchased for $8 million in 2008 from the Federal Communications Commission, BendBroadband today launches a new wireless broadband service the company touts as the first and fastest of its kind in the nation and one that makes high-speed Internet available to most all of Central Oregon, regardless of location. The digital divide in Central Oregon is officially closed, said Frank Miller, the companys chief technology officer, referring to the general lack of high-speed Internet in rural areas. BendBroadbands wireless broadband service can reach speeds of up to 15 Megabits per second (Mbps). Wireless Internet providers already exist, but the signals based on unlicensed radio spectrum are often weak and subject to interference. In addition, the user generally needs to have a modem with a direct line-of-sight to a nearby transmitter. Cellular companies also offer wireless Internet service piggybacked on their voice service, but the signal strength varies by location. BendBroadbands new service is based on a cutting-edge wireless data protocol called High Speed Packet Access Plus (HSPA+). It is not currently available commercially anywhere else in the country, though a few Internet providers in Canada have introduced it, said Sascha Segan, a managing editor with PC Mag Mobile. He added that T-Mobile has launched a trial HSPA+ program in Philadelphia. Its good technology, but as someone who has been studying cell phones for years, its really all about how good the build-out is, he said. Miller said BendBroadband partnered with Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson to put 17 transmitters on towers it either built or leased space on that are positioned around Central Oregon. The result is a service signal that is available from La Pine to Madras, and Sisters to Prineville, and nearly all points in between. Because the service uses advanced wireless spectrum licensed by the FCC, the services signal is strong and reliable, said Miller, who sketched out a few scenarios: Imagine driving through Central Oregon along U.S. Highway 97 with your children in the backseat, streaming movies from the Internet to their laptop Or sitting with that laptop by the shore of Elk Lake, exchanging e-mails with a co-worker. In a series of tests conducted for The Bulletin, Miller and Eric Anderson, BendBroadbands director of wireless engineering, were able to reach download speeds of 12 Mbps in the parking lot of the Alfalfa store. The service is also mobile. While Miller drove to Powell Butte, Anderson recorded a download speed of 15 Mbps on his laptop. That kind of speed can have broad implications for the roughly 20,000 homes the company estimates are outside the companys existing service footprint, as well as public safety agencies and companies that could benefit from a faster, stronger Internet connection, Miller said. This is a very big deal for rural users, said Miller. This is real, its affordable, and its a first. A public relations consultant, Marie Melsheimer, of Alfalfa, relies on the Internet to communicate with her clients and exchange documents. But because she lives in a rural area, she has to use a satellite service to access the Internet. Its often slow and spotty, sometimes subject to interference from inclement weather, she said. If she downloads too much material, her service is shut-off for 24 hours. I cant tell you how much Ive suffered in the last 10 years, she said. It was really our only option out here other than dial-up. Melsheimer is a poster child for the so-called digital divide. As the Internet has grown tremendously in the last decade, the nations rural areas have lagged behind. Its generally prohibitive for Internet providers to spend millions stringing new lines to areas with few homes to support the service and justify the cost. Melsheimer was excited to learn about BendBroadbands new service and said she plans to look into it. Another rural user excited about BendBroadbands new technology is Tim Underwood, who works from home and has been using the service for the past month as part of a beta program. Underwood said its more reliable than his previous service with another provider, and as a result doesnt have to worry about what kind of files hes sending or when hes sending them. I can work without thinking about it, and it just works, said Underwood. The wireless broadband modem costs $99 and two service plans are offered. The basic plan costs $49.99 a month (or $39.99 bundled with other services) and has a 20 GB usage allowance. The upgraded plan costs $64.99 a month (or $59.99 bundled with other services) and has a 50 GB usage allowance. Downloads over the allowances are charged $1.50 per GB. The service is not just limited to customers outside of the companys existing wireline footprint. In addition, for $19.99 extra per month, existing BendBroadband cable Internet customers can purchase a USB dongle to access the service. The dongle, roughly the size of a stick of USB memory, costs roughly $49, according to Anderson. Andrew Moore can be reached at 541-617-7820 or amoore(a)bendbulletin.com.

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[arrl-odv:18330] Re: S.1755 Passage
by Gary Johnston KI4LA 16 Dec '09

16 Dec '09

Makes my day! Sent from Gary's 3GS iPhone On Dec 15, 2009, at 11:57 AM, "Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ" <dsumner(a)arrl.org> wrote: > Here’s the relevant excerpt from the Congressional Record on yesterd > ay’s passage of S.1755 in the Senate. > > > Dave > > > > · > > · > > AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009 -- > (Senate - December 14, 2009) > > [Page: S13201] > > --- > > Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the > Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 224, > S. 1755. > > The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. > > The legislative clerk read as follows: > > A bill (S. 1755) to direct the Department of Homeland Security to > undertake a study on emergency communications. > > There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the > bill. > > Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the > bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be > laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any > statements related to the bill be printed in the Record. > > The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. > > The bill (S. 1755) was ordered to be engrossed for a third > reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: > > S. 1755 > > Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the > United States of America in Congress assembled, > > SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. > > This Act may be cited as the ``Amateur Radio Emergency > Communications Enhancement Act of 2009''. > > SEC. 2. FINDINGS. > > Congress finds the following: > > (1) Nearly 700,000 amateurs radio operators in the United States > are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur > Radio Service. > > (2) Amateur Radio Service operators provide, on a volunteer > basis, a valuable public sector service to their communities, their > States, and to the Nation, especially in the area of national and > international disaster communications. > > (3) Emergency and disaster relief communications services by > volunteer Amateur Radio Service operators have consistently and > reliably been provided before, during, and after floods, hurricanes, > tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes, blizzards, train accidents, > chemical spills and other disasters. These communications services > include services in connection with significant examples, such as-- > > (A) hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Hugo, and Andrew; > > (B) the relief effort at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon > following the 2001 terrorist attacks; and > > (C) the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. > > (4) Amateur Radio Service has formal agreements for the > provision of volunteer emergency communications activities with the > Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management > Agency, the National Weather Service, the National Communications > System, and the Association of Public Safety Communications > Officials, as well as with disaster relief agencies, including the > American National Red Cross and the Salvation Army. > > (5) Section 1 of the joint resolution entitled ``Joint > Resolution to recognize the achievements of radio amateurs, and to > establish support for such amateurs as national policy'', approved > October 22, 1994 (Public Law 103-408), included a finding that > stated: ``Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective > operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and > public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should > facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public > benefit.''. > > (6) Section 1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 > U.S.C. 757(c)) directs the Regional Emergency Communications > Coordinating Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to > coordinate their activities with ham and amateur radio operators > among the 11 other emergency organizations such as ambulance > services, law enforcement, and others. > > (7) Amateur Radio Service, at no cost to taxpayers, provides a > fertile ground for technical self-training in modern > telecommunications, electronic technology, and emergency > communications techniques and protocols. > > (8) There is a strong Federal interest in the effective > performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance > must be given-- > > (A) support at all levels of government; and > > (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments > to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such > stations. > > SEC. 3. STUDY OF ENHANCED USES OF AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY AND > DISASTER RELIEF COMMUNICATION AND FOR RELIEF OF RESTRICTIONS. > > (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of > enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-- > > (1) undertake a study on the uses and capabilities of Amateur > Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief; and > > (2) submit a report on the findings of the Secretary to Congress. > > (b) Scope of the Study.--The study required by this section > shall-- > > (1) include a review of the importance of amateur radio > emergency communications in furtherance of homeland security > missions relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to > lives and property in the United States, as well as recommendations > for-- > > (A) enhancements in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio > licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster > relief efforts; and > > (B) improved integration of amateur radio operators in planning > and furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives; > and > > (2)(A) identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service > communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary > private land use regulations on residential antenna installations; and > > (B) make recommendations regarding such impediments for > consideration by other Federal departments, agencies, and Congress. > > (c) Use of Expertise and Information.--In conducting the study > required by this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall > utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, > including the amateur radio, emergency response, and disaster > communications communities. > > END

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RE: [arrl-odv:18328] RE: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage
by K8JE 15 Dec '09

15 Dec '09

Dave, I understand. Tnx. Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 4:19 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18328] RE: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Jim, this goes back to the fact that the House parliamentarian threw us a curve when HR 2160 was first introduced. We had wanted it to be referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and thought that it would be, based on the study being done by DHS. The sponsor had recruited the chairman of the Homeland Security committee to be an original co-sponsor in the expectation that the bill would be referred there. However, when the parliamentarian saw "licensees of the Federal Communications Commission" in the bill it got sent to Energy and Commerce. Such are the ways of the Hill. Conference committee only comes up if the Senate and House pass different bills that require reconciliation. That would happen if the House passed HR 2160 in its current form, since the two bills are not identical. So we want S 1755 to be considered in the House as a substitute for HR 2160, thus avoiding a conference committee. Dave From: K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 4:08 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Tnx Dave. I wasn't aware of how this maneuvering was done. As I understand from what you said, provided the House Committee on Homeland Security reports S.1755 to the House floor (and it passes) there will be no need for a House bill (e.g. HR 2160). I knew how conference committee work is done, but not what we hope to get done with this bill. Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:44 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Oh, I missed your first question, Jim. Sorry. HR 2160 is currently stuck in the Energy and Commerce Committee. What we'd like to happen is for S.1755 to be referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security because our original sponsor of HR 2160 is a member of that committee and the committee chairman, Bennie Thompson, is a co-sponsor of HR 2160. With their support, S. 1755 should move quickly through the committee and on to the full House. If the House passes the Senate version then the next stop is the President's desk. HR 2160 is then moot. This morning, at John Chwat's request I provided him with a letter to Chairman Thompson requesting that the committee ask the House leadership for the referral. 73, Dave K1ZZ From: k8je [mailto:k8je@zoomtown.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:21 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Dave, This is great news, of course. Congratulations to all involved. Please educate me on the following step(s). Provided the bill is referred to the House homeland security committee, what action would we want them to take? Specifically, how would their action relate or not relate to HR 2160? I notice the bill states ARRL has formal agreements ". . . with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross . . ." Unless I was sleeping at the switch, I believe this remains unfortunately incorrect. What is the likelihood the inclusion of ANRC could prove embarrassing to us? Tnx, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:58 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Here's the relevant excerpt from the Congressional Record on yesterday's passage of S.1755 in the Senate. Dave <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r111:./temp/~r111MMBl2k> * * AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009 -- (Senate - December 14, 2009) [Page: S13201] --- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 224, S. 1755. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1755) to direct the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study on emergency communications. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 1755) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: S. 1755 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Nearly 700,000 amateurs radio operators in the United States are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service. (2) Amateur Radio Service operators provide, on a volunteer basis, a valuable public sector service to their communities, their States, and to the Nation, especially in the area of national and international disaster communications. (3) Emergency and disaster relief communications services by volunteer Amateur Radio Service operators have consistently and reliably been provided before, during, and after floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes, blizzards, train accidents, chemical spills and other disasters. These communications services include services in connection with significant examples, such as-- (A) hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Hugo, and Andrew; (B) the relief effort at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon following the 2001 terrorist attacks; and (C) the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. (4) Amateur Radio Service has formal agreements for the provision of volunteer emergency communications activities with the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, the National Communications System, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, as well as with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross and the Salvation Army. (5) Section 1 of the joint resolution entitled ``Joint Resolution to recognize the achievements of radio amateurs, and to establish support for such amateurs as national policy'', approved October 22, 1994 (Public Law 103-408), included a finding that stated: ``Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit.''. (6) Section 1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 757(c)) directs the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate their activities with ham and amateur radio operators among the 11 other emergency organizations such as ambulance services, law enforcement, and others. (7) Amateur Radio Service, at no cost to taxpayers, provides a fertile ground for technical self-training in modern telecommunications, electronic technology, and emergency communications techniques and protocols. (8) There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given-- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations. SEC. 3. STUDY OF ENHANCED USES OF AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RELIEF COMMUNICATION AND FOR RELIEF OF RESTRICTIONS. (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-- (1) undertake a study on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief; and (2) submit a report on the findings of the Secretary to Congress. (b) Scope of the Study.--The study required by this section shall-- (1) include a review of the importance of amateur radio emergency communications in furtherance of homeland security missions relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to lives and property in the United States, as well as recommendations for-- (A) enhancements in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; and (B) improved integration of amateur radio operators in planning and furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives; and (2)(A) identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use regulations on residential antenna installations; and (B) make recommendations regarding such impediments for consideration by other Federal departments, agencies, and Congress. (c) Use of Expertise and Information.--In conducting the study required by this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including the amateur radio, emergency response, and disaster communications communities. END

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[arrl-odv:18328] RE: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 15 Dec '09

15 Dec '09

Jim, this goes back to the fact that the House parliamentarian threw us a curve when HR 2160 was first introduced. We had wanted it to be referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and thought that it would be, based on the study being done by DHS. The sponsor had recruited the chairman of the Homeland Security committee to be an original co-sponsor in the expectation that the bill would be referred there. However, when the parliamentarian saw "licensees of the Federal Communications Commission" in the bill it got sent to Energy and Commerce. Such are the ways of the Hill. Conference committee only comes up if the Senate and House pass different bills that require reconciliation. That would happen if the House passed HR 2160 in its current form, since the two bills are not identical. So we want S 1755 to be considered in the House as a substitute for HR 2160, thus avoiding a conference committee. Dave From: K8JE [mailto:k8je@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 4:08 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Tnx Dave. I wasn't aware of how this maneuvering was done. As I understand from what you said, provided the House Committee on Homeland Security reports S.1755 to the House floor (and it passes) there will be no need for a House bill (e.g. HR 2160). I knew how conference committee work is done, but not what we hope to get done with this bill. Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio ________________________________ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:44 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Oh, I missed your first question, Jim. Sorry. HR 2160 is currently stuck in the Energy and Commerce Committee. What we'd like to happen is for S.1755 to be referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security because our original sponsor of HR 2160 is a member of that committee and the committee chairman, Bennie Thompson, is a co-sponsor of HR 2160. With their support, S. 1755 should move quickly through the committee and on to the full House. If the House passes the Senate version then the next stop is the President's desk. HR 2160 is then moot. This morning, at John Chwat's request I provided him with a letter to Chairman Thompson requesting that the committee ask the House leadership for the referral. 73, Dave K1ZZ From: k8je [mailto:k8je@zoomtown.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:21 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Dave, This is great news, of course. Congratulations to all involved. Please educate me on the following step(s). Provided the bill is referred to the House homeland security committee, what action would we want them to take? Specifically, how would their action relate or not relate to HR 2160? I notice the bill states ARRL has formal agreements ". . . with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross . . ." Unless I was sleeping at the switch, I believe this remains unfortunately incorrect. What is the likelihood the inclusion of ANRC could prove embarrassing to us? Tnx, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 ________________________________ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:58 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Here's the relevant excerpt from the Congressional Record on yesterday's passage of S.1755 in the Senate. Dave <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r111:./temp/~r111MMBl2k> * * AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009 -- (Senate - December 14, 2009) [Page: S13201] --- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 224, S. 1755. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1755) to direct the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study on emergency communications. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 1755) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: S. 1755 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Nearly 700,000 amateurs radio operators in the United States are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service. (2) Amateur Radio Service operators provide, on a volunteer basis, a valuable public sector service to their communities, their States, and to the Nation, especially in the area of national and international disaster communications. (3) Emergency and disaster relief communications services by volunteer Amateur Radio Service operators have consistently and reliably been provided before, during, and after floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes, blizzards, train accidents, chemical spills and other disasters. These communications services include services in connection with significant examples, such as-- (A) hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Hugo, and Andrew; (B) the relief effort at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon following the 2001 terrorist attacks; and (C) the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. (4) Amateur Radio Service has formal agreements for the provision of volunteer emergency communications activities with the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, the National Communications System, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, as well as with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross and the Salvation Army. (5) Section 1 of the joint resolution entitled ``Joint Resolution to recognize the achievements of radio amateurs, and to establish support for such amateurs as national policy'', approved October 22, 1994 (Public Law 103-408), included a finding that stated: ``Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit.''. (6) Section 1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 757(c)) directs the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate their activities with ham and amateur radio operators among the 11 other emergency organizations such as ambulance services, law enforcement, and others. (7) Amateur Radio Service, at no cost to taxpayers, provides a fertile ground for technical self-training in modern telecommunications, electronic technology, and emergency communications techniques and protocols. (8) There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given-- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations. SEC. 3. STUDY OF ENHANCED USES OF AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RELIEF COMMUNICATION AND FOR RELIEF OF RESTRICTIONS. (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-- (1) undertake a study on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief; and (2) submit a report on the findings of the Secretary to Congress. (b) Scope of the Study.--The study required by this section shall-- (1) include a review of the importance of amateur radio emergency communications in furtherance of homeland security missions relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to lives and property in the United States, as well as recommendations for-- (A) enhancements in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; and (B) improved integration of amateur radio operators in planning and furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives; and (2)(A) identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use regulations on residential antenna installations; and (B) make recommendations regarding such impediments for consideration by other Federal departments, agencies, and Congress. (c) Use of Expertise and Information.--In conducting the study required by this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including the amateur radio, emergency response, and disaster communications communities. END

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RE: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage
by K8JE 15 Dec '09

15 Dec '09

Tnx Dave. I wasn't aware of how this maneuvering was done. As I understand from what you said, provided the House Committee on Homeland Security reports S.1755 to the House floor (and it passes) there will be no need for a House bill (e.g. HR 2160). I knew how conference committee work is done, but not what we hope to get done with this bill. Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:44 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Oh, I missed your first question, Jim. Sorry. HR 2160 is currently stuck in the Energy and Commerce Committee. What we'd like to happen is for S.1755 to be referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security because our original sponsor of HR 2160 is a member of that committee and the committee chairman, Bennie Thompson, is a co-sponsor of HR 2160. With their support, S. 1755 should move quickly through the committee and on to the full House. If the House passes the Senate version then the next stop is the President's desk. HR 2160 is then moot. This morning, at John Chwat's request I provided him with a letter to Chairman Thompson requesting that the committee ask the House leadership for the referral. 73, Dave K1ZZ From: k8je [mailto:k8je@zoomtown.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:21 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Dave, This is great news, of course. Congratulations to all involved. Please educate me on the following step(s). Provided the bill is referred to the House homeland security committee, what action would we want them to take? Specifically, how would their action relate or not relate to HR 2160? I notice the bill states ARRL has formal agreements ". . . with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross . . ." Unless I was sleeping at the switch, I believe this remains unfortunately incorrect. What is the likelihood the inclusion of ANRC could prove embarrassing to us? Tnx, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:58 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Here's the relevant excerpt from the Congressional Record on yesterday's passage of S.1755 in the Senate. Dave <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r111:./temp/~r111MMBl2k> * * AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009 -- (Senate - December 14, 2009) [Page: S13201] --- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 224, S. 1755. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1755) to direct the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study on emergency communications. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 1755) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: S. 1755 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Nearly 700,000 amateurs radio operators in the United States are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service. (2) Amateur Radio Service operators provide, on a volunteer basis, a valuable public sector service to their communities, their States, and to the Nation, especially in the area of national and international disaster communications. (3) Emergency and disaster relief communications services by volunteer Amateur Radio Service operators have consistently and reliably been provided before, during, and after floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes, blizzards, train accidents, chemical spills and other disasters. These communications services include services in connection with significant examples, such as-- (A) hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Hugo, and Andrew; (B) the relief effort at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon following the 2001 terrorist attacks; and (C) the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. (4) Amateur Radio Service has formal agreements for the provision of volunteer emergency communications activities with the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, the National Communications System, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, as well as with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross and the Salvation Army. (5) Section 1 of the joint resolution entitled ``Joint Resolution to recognize the achievements of radio amateurs, and to establish support for such amateurs as national policy'', approved October 22, 1994 (Public Law 103-408), included a finding that stated: ``Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit.''. (6) Section 1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 757(c)) directs the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate their activities with ham and amateur radio operators among the 11 other emergency organizations such as ambulance services, law enforcement, and others. (7) Amateur Radio Service, at no cost to taxpayers, provides a fertile ground for technical self-training in modern telecommunications, electronic technology, and emergency communications techniques and protocols. (8) There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given-- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations. SEC. 3. STUDY OF ENHANCED USES OF AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RELIEF COMMUNICATION AND FOR RELIEF OF RESTRICTIONS. (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-- (1) undertake a study on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief; and (2) submit a report on the findings of the Secretary to Congress. (b) Scope of the Study.--The study required by this section shall-- (1) include a review of the importance of amateur radio emergency communications in furtherance of homeland security missions relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to lives and property in the United States, as well as recommendations for-- (A) enhancements in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; and (B) improved integration of amateur radio operators in planning and furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives; and (2)(A) identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use regulations on residential antenna installations; and (B) make recommendations regarding such impediments for consideration by other Federal departments, agencies, and Congress. (c) Use of Expertise and Information.--In conducting the study required by this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including the amateur radio, emergency response, and disaster communications communities. END

1 0

[arrl-odv:18326] RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 15 Dec '09

15 Dec '09

Oh, I missed your first question, Jim. Sorry. HR 2160 is currently stuck in the Energy and Commerce Committee. What we'd like to happen is for S.1755 to be referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security because our original sponsor of HR 2160 is a member of that committee and the committee chairman, Bennie Thompson, is a co-sponsor of HR 2160. With their support, S. 1755 should move quickly through the committee and on to the full House. If the House passes the Senate version then the next stop is the President's desk. HR 2160 is then moot. This morning, at John Chwat's request I provided him with a letter to Chairman Thompson requesting that the committee ask the House leadership for the referral. 73, Dave K1ZZ From: k8je [mailto:k8je@zoomtown.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:21 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Dave, This is great news, of course. Congratulations to all involved. Please educate me on the following step(s). Provided the bill is referred to the House homeland security committee, what action would we want them to take? Specifically, how would their action relate or not relate to HR 2160? I notice the bill states ARRL has formal agreements ". . . with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross . . ." Unless I was sleeping at the switch, I believe this remains unfortunately incorrect. What is the likelihood the inclusion of ANRC could prove embarrassing to us? Tnx, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 Jim Weaver, K8JE 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)zoomtown.com; Tel. 459-1661 ________________________________ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:58 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18322] S.1755 Passage Here's the relevant excerpt from the Congressional Record on yesterday's passage of S.1755 in the Senate. Dave <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?r111:./temp/~r111MMBl2k> * * AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009 -- (Senate - December 14, 2009) [Page: S13201] --- Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 224, S. 1755. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 1755) to direct the Department of Homeland Security to undertake a study on emergency communications. There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 1755) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows: S. 1755 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) Nearly 700,000 amateurs radio operators in the United States are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service. (2) Amateur Radio Service operators provide, on a volunteer basis, a valuable public sector service to their communities, their States, and to the Nation, especially in the area of national and international disaster communications. (3) Emergency and disaster relief communications services by volunteer Amateur Radio Service operators have consistently and reliably been provided before, during, and after floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes, blizzards, train accidents, chemical spills and other disasters. These communications services include services in connection with significant examples, such as-- (A) hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Hugo, and Andrew; (B) the relief effort at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon following the 2001 terrorist attacks; and (C) the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. (4) Amateur Radio Service has formal agreements for the provision of volunteer emergency communications activities with the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, the National Communications System, and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, as well as with disaster relief agencies, including the American National Red Cross and the Salvation Army. (5) Section 1 of the joint resolution entitled ``Joint Resolution to recognize the achievements of radio amateurs, and to establish support for such amateurs as national policy'', approved October 22, 1994 (Public Law 103-408), included a finding that stated: ``Reasonable accommodation should be made for the effective operation of amateur radio from residences, private vehicles and public areas, and the regulation at all levels of government should facilitate and encourage amateur radio operations as a public benefit.''. (6) Section 1805(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 757(c)) directs the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinating Working Group of the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate their activities with ham and amateur radio operators among the 11 other emergency organizations such as ambulance services, law enforcement, and others. (7) Amateur Radio Service, at no cost to taxpayers, provides a fertile ground for technical self-training in modern telecommunications, electronic technology, and emergency communications techniques and protocols. (8) There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given-- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations. SEC. 3. STUDY OF ENHANCED USES OF AMATEUR RADIO IN EMERGENCY AND DISASTER RELIEF COMMUNICATION AND FOR RELIEF OF RESTRICTIONS. (a) Authority.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall-- (1) undertake a study on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief; and (2) submit a report on the findings of the Secretary to Congress. (b) Scope of the Study.--The study required by this section shall-- (1) include a review of the importance of amateur radio emergency communications in furtherance of homeland security missions relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to lives and property in the United States, as well as recommendations for-- (A) enhancements in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; and (B) improved integration of amateur radio operators in planning and furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives; and (2)(A) identify impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use regulations on residential antenna installations; and (B) make recommendations regarding such impediments for consideration by other Federal departments, agencies, and Congress. (c) Use of Expertise and Information.--In conducting the study required by this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including the amateur radio, emergency response, and disaster communications communities. END

1 0