Bob –

After our conversation about the idea of a movement to legislate the preservation of our spectrum I googled “Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act” and found that there was legislation in 1998 to 2005 but it died in committee.  I think the ARRL would be wise to make a new attempt.  I find the government’s decision to sell commercial spectrum onerous and it brings to light how valuable the amateur frequencies are.  There will only be more pressure on amateur frequencies as new technology emerges that could put them to “more beneficial” public purposes.  Emergency and disaster response may have been the regulatory basis for our service but the spectrum we have is also a valuable resource to enable future generations to explore and improve communications technology as well as fostering communication with others throughout the world.  ALL of these reasons justify setting aside this limited spectrum for all time just like we do our land and our oceans in national parks and preserves.   We need a National Frequency Preserve!

1999 Bill:

“To ensure the availability of spectrum to amateur radio operators.”

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/106/hr783/text

2005 Bill  (slightly better)

“To ensure the availability of spectrum to amateur radio operators.”

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/s1236/text

I think the proposed legislation would benefit from more emphasis on resource preservation for future public access of spectrum to promote worldwide communications (including cross cultural understanding, etc.) for non-commercial purposes.  Somehow need to write the legislation to specifically protect what we have for ham radio without giving the impression the law is designed just to benefit a bunch of amateurs and radioheads (nerds that they don’t care about).