May 2009 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 04 May '09

04 May '09

I'm deeply saddened to report that Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU died in his sleep last night. Jeff Beals, WA4AW called with the news a few minutes ago. Sandy was 63. Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:17703] RE: [arrl-odv:17702] H.R. 2160 Action Requested or NOT?
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 04 May '09

04 May '09

Frank, At this moment Dan Henderson is sending out custom emails and sample letters to the DLACs (and in the absence of a DLAC, to LACs or LAAs) who are in the district of a House Energy and Commerce Committee member. Those are our highest priority targets. After that we will have a generic sample letter posted on the Web site with a Web story encouraging individual members to write to their member of Congress, whether or not they are on the committee of jurisdiction. In all cases, John Chwat wants to receive copies of letters sent to Congress so they can be bundled and delivered directly to the House offices. His copies can be either by email to arrl(a)chwatco.com or by fax to 703-684-7594. So, your job will be a bit easier if you stand by just a little longer until we have the Web material posted. Thanks. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Frank Fallon [mailto:n2ff@optonline.net] Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 12:33 PM To: arrl-odv Cc: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17702] H.R. 2160 Action Requested or NOT? Dave, Thanks for the summary and a copy of the bill. At this point what do you want directors to do or ask members to do? I ask this because the web story is strictly news - factual information. It does not request our members to do anything such as contact their congressional representative and ask them to support the bill or to sign as co sponsors. Should we just standby? 73 de Frank...N2FF....

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[arrl-odv:17702] H.R. 2160 Action Requested or NOT?
by Frank Fallon 04 May '09

04 May '09

Dave, Thanks for the summary and a copy of the bill. At this point what do you want directors to do or ask members to do? I ask this because the web story is strictly news - factual information. It does not request our members to do anything such as contact their congressional representative and ask them to support the bill or to sign as co sponsors. Should we just standby? 73 de Frank...N2FF....

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[arrl-odv:17701] Summary of H.R. 2160
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 01 May '09

01 May '09

I just prepared the following summary of H.R. 2160 and thought it might be useful to you all. Dave What H.R. 2160 Would Do If enacted into law, H.R. 2160 - the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 - would instruct 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. 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)); 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. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of the ARRL and shall seek information from private and public sectors for the study.

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[arrl-odv:17700] HR 2160 text
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 01 May '09

01 May '09

Attached is the complete text of HR 2160 as introduced. The very minor typo ("amateurs radio operators") in Sec. 2, finding 1, is the result of an edit (the phrase was originally "radio amateurs"). I made certain several months ago that John Chwat was aware that our agreement with the Red Cross was expired and under negotiation; given the long history of the relationship between the ARRL and the Red Cross and the fact that the renewal is under active negotiation, I don't believe we should be uncomfortable with the reference in finding 4. The meat of the bill is, of course, in the section entitled "Scope of the Study." The wording is slightly (but not substantively) different from the draft I sent you earlier; the change was made at the request of a potential co-sponsor who subsequently did sign on. It is important that we not overstate what the bill would do, both to maintain our credibility and to avoid giving ammunition to our opponents. The bill mandates a study by the Department of Homeland Security, to include recommendations on the specific topics listed on pages 5 and 6. The bill would not by itself change anything with regard to private land use restrictions on amateur radio antennas. It simply calls for study of the impact of those restrictions on the ability of amateurs to conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency communications and for recommendations regarding unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications. If the bill is adopted we will have the challenge of providing sufficient input to the study to lead to the recommendations we desire, followed by the further challenge of causing those recommendations to be adopted. It's still a long road, but at least the first step has been taken. 73, Dave K1ZZ <<HR 2160.pdf>>

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