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AE5ME > ARRL 20.02.16 19:55l 71 Lines 6618 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Read: GUEST
Subj: ARRL Letter February 18, 2016 Part 1 of 4
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Amateur Radio Parity Act Gets Favorable Subcommittee Report
•Enthusiasm, Friendly Faces Abound at Orlando HamCation, Host of 2016 ARRL National Convention
•Retiring ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, "Passionate about Amateur Radio"
•National Parks on the Air Update
•W1AW Will Not Be on the Air on February 18
•New Amateur Extra Question Pool Puts Greater Emphasis on Digital, SDRs, Propagation
•"Ham TV" System Used for First Time During ARISS Contact with UK School
•ARISS Opens Window to Invite School and Group Proposals for ISS Ham Radio Contacts
•Joel Hallas, W1ZR, Wins the 2015 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award
•Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM, to Receive 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award
•IARU President Touts Amateur Radio's Relevance in Emergency Communication
•Randy Thompson, K5ZD, Stepping Down as CQ World Wide Contest Director
•Arkansas VHFer Claims "Mathematically Impossible" AO-7 Mode B Distance Record
•The K7RA Solar Update
•Just Ahead in Radiosport
•Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
Amateur Radio Parity Act Gets Favorable Subcommittee Report
On a February 11 voice vote, the US House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology sent the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee with a favorable report for further consideration. The measure was among three bills the Subcommittee considered during a February 11 "markup" session. The Subcommittee is chaired by Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR).
"I'm optimistic that we can put the finishing touches on these bills in the weeks ahead and once again produce important, bipartisan legislation that protects consumers, small businesses, and access to the latest communications services," Walden said after the hearing.
During the markup session, Walden and the bill's sponsor, Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) made impassioned statements in favor of the legislation. Kinzinger said that while he can appreciate some of the concerns expressed by those who do not agree with his bill, he believes that the time has come to adopt a "reasonable accommodation standard" with respect to the erection of outdoor antennas in neighborhoods governed by private land-use restrictions.
H.R. 1301 sponsor Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) at the February 11 subcommittee hearing.
Walden agreed. "You don't necessarily need to have a giant tower blocking everybody's view," he pointed out to the Subcommittee. He suggested that more modest antenna systems often are sufficient. He and Kinzinger noted that there is common ground between proponents and opponents of the measure and that "it's important to get this done." Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) also spoke to recognize the work all parties have been doing to ensure the bill's passage in the House.
H.R. 1301 would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land-use restrictions, such as deed covenants, conditions, and restrictions. The bill has attracted 120 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. An identical US Senate measure, S. 1685, has attracted three cosponsors. It cleared the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation last November.
More information about the legislation is on the ARRL Amateur Radio Parity Act web page. Read more.
Enthusiasm, Friendly Faces Abound at Orlando HamCation, Host of 2016 ARRL National Convention
New ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, led members of the ARRL team in greeting visitors to the ARRL Expo during Orlando HamCation February 12-14. HamCation hosted the 2016 ARRL National Convention. The event marked President Roderick's inaugural ARRL National Convention appearance since his election in January. The weather was pleasant, and the ample crowd friendly and enthusiastic.
(L-R) ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ; ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, and incoming ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF. [Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, photo]
Incoming ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, also was on hand, and the ARRL team that was helping members to write letters to members of Congress in support of the Amateur Radio Parity Act recruited him to sign a letter to his representative.
During a packed ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) forum, ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and Field Services and Radiosport Assistant Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, outlined the ins and outs of the year-long operating event.
ARRL Field Services and Radiosport Assistant Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, explains how NPOTA works with Logbook of The World. [Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, photo]
Kutzko stressed three main points for National Park "Activators" to remember when venturing out to National Park units to operate:
•Cooperate with National Park Service staff
•Don't disturb other visitors
•Leave no trace.
In the Amateur Radio Public Service and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) forum, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, emphasized the value of keeping ARES volunteers engaged throughout the year. "ARES must constantly adapt," he said. "We can't keep doing things the same ways we've always done them." Even in times of calm, he advised, ARES team leaders must keep their members motivated, and team building is important.
Corey said that in 2015, the ARES program had 17,756 participants, up from 10,471 the previous year. They took part in more than 25,000 events -- most of them not emergencies but public service events.
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, told the ARRL Member Forum that he's excited about the future and wants to "grow the hobby and grow the League."
"Getting on the air is the most important thing you can do as a radio amateur," Corey told his audience. "Amateur Radio requires constant learning and improving."
At the ARRL Member Forum, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said he was looking forward to the arrival of incoming CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, at ARRL Headquarters on February 29, and "raising ARRL to a new level."
ARRL President Rick Roderick said the League's new Strategic Plan "is going to be our roadmap to the future." He said he wants to grow the League and Amateur Radio, and he challenged those in attendance to to come up with incentives to attract younger people to ham radio. ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, updated the forum on the progress of the Amateur Radio Parity Act and its prospects on Capitol Hill. Lisenco, who chairs the Legislative Advocacy Committee, said that although the bill's opponents have somewhat toned down their rhetoric, they still disagree with "reasonable accommodation."
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