Agreed. I had a talk at Cal Poly ARC on SDR a few weeks ago including an in-depth discussion on architecture. They’re getting money for a new Flex-6600 and other station equipment from ARDC. I was also approached by a student at Cooper Union this past weekend. They’re interested in getting their new amateur radio club involved with ARRL. My alma mater, NYU engineering also has a ham club and a wireless research institute which was formerly headed by Ted Rappaport N9NB. However throughout the years there have been hams on faculty who were industry or adjunct and who formerly or currently worked with defense contractors such as Grumman and BAE. Several of them even got jobs in their industries due to ham radio connections. 

And finally, Fred AB1OC and I recently participated in an ARISS contact event at a local charter school. At the event I met with the state education commissioner (acting) as well as county officials who are interested in more amateur radio activity in schools. 

So ham radio is a good thing as far as building the next generation of engineering and STEM talent. 

Emergency communications, while important, is one part of a multi pronged strategy. We should be emphasizing and promoting STEM education heavily in addition to emcomm. 

Ria N2RJ

If you read this, her emphasis is on spectrum for services AND improvements in receiver technology.

I believe that we should ask our CEO to craft a letter to Chairman Rosenworcel to illuminate the fact that amateur radio is a point of first interest for many American engineers that work in this industry and how important a healthy amateur radio community is to support this effort.

I'm sure this could be organized into a series of brief "drip" contacts so that she can begin to understand and value the role amateur radio plays in this industry - one of our many value propositions to the American people and the world.

Mickey Baker N4MB