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>>