SB QST @ ARL $ARLB032   
   ARLB032 Amateur Radio Parity Act Passes in the US House of Representatives   
      
   ZCZC AG32   
   QST de W1AW   
   ARRL Bulletin 32  ARLB032   
   > From ARRL Headquarters   
   Newington CT  September 14, 2016   
   To all radio amateurs   
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB032   
   ARLB032 Amateur Radio Parity Act Passes in the US House of Representatives!   
      
   "The bill is passed without objection." With those words, Amateur Radio   
   history was made on September 12, when the US House of Representatives   
   approved the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301 on a voice vote under a   
   suspension of the rules. The focus of the campaign to enact the legislation   
   into law now shifts to the US Senate. The House victory culminated many years   
   of effort on ARRL's part to gain legislation that would enable radio amateurs   
   living in deed-restricted communities to erect antennas that support Amateur   
   Radio communication. The measure calls on the FCC to amend its Part 97 rules   
   "to prohibit the application to amateur stations of certain private land-use   
   restrictions, and for other purposes." While similar bills in past years   
   gained some traction on Capitol Hill, it was not until the overwhelming   
   grassroots support from the Amateur Radio community for H.R. 1301 shepherded   
   by ARRL that a bill made it this far. The legislation faces significant   
   obstacles to passage in the US Senate, however.   
      
   "This is huge step in our effort to enact legislation that will allow radio   
   amateurs who live in deed-restricted communities the ability to construct an   
   effective outdoor antenna," ARRL President   
   Rick Roderick, K5UR, said. "Thanks to everyone for their help in this effort   
   thus far. Now we must turn our full attention to getting the bill passed in   
   the Senate."   
      
   ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, who chairs the ARRL Board's   
   Legislative Advocacy Committee, has been heavily involved in efforts to move   
   H.R. 1301 forward. "This has been a multiyear effort that is finally seeing   
   some light," he said. "The passage of the bill in the House is a major   
   accomplishment, due to the hard work of so many - from the rank-and-file   
   member to the officers and directors."   
      
   Lisenco said it's not a time to rest on our laurels. "We are only halfway   
   there. The focus now shifts to our effort in the Senate," he said. "We are   
   beginning a massive e-mail campaign in which we need every member to write   
   their two Senators using our simplified process. You will be hearing from   
   President Roderick and from your Directors, asking you to go to our 'Rally   
   Congress' page. Using your ZIP code, e-mails will be generated much like our   
   recent letter campaign. You'll fill in your name and address and press Enter.   
   The e-mails will be sent directly to your Senators without you having to   
   search through their websites."   
      
   The "Rally Congress" web page can be found at, https://arrl.rall   
   congress.net/ctas/urge-senate-to-support-amateur-radio-parity-act .   
      
   Lisenco said getting these e-mails to members' Senators is a critical part of   
   the process. "Those numbers matter! Please help us help you by participating   
   in this effort," he said.   
      
   As the amended bill provides, "Community associations should fairly administer   
   private land-use regulations in the interest of their communities, while   
   nevertheless permitting the installation and   
   maintenance of effective outdoor Amateur Radio antennas. There exist antenna   
   designs and installations that can be consistent with the aesthetics and   
   physical characteristics of land and structures in community associations   
   while accommodating communications in the Amateur Radio services."   
      
   During this week's limited debate, the House bill's sponsor, Rep Adam   
   Kinzinger (R-IL), thanked ARRL and the Community Associations Institute (CAI)   
   for reaching an agreement to move the bill forward "in a bipartisan and very   
   positive manner." He pointed out to his colleagues that Amateur Radio antennas   
   are prohibited outright in some areas.   
      
   "For some this is merely a nuisance," Kinzinger said, "but for others - those   
   that use their Amateur Radio license for life-saving emergency communications   
   - a dangerous situation can be created by limiting their ability to establish   
   effective communication for those in need."   
      
   Kinzinger said that in emergencies, hams can provide "a vital and life-saving   
   function" when conventional communication systems are down. He also praised   
   the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS), a US Department of D   
   fense-sponsored program, comprised largely of Amateur Radio volunteers, that   
   also supports communication during emergencies and disasters.   
      
   Cosponsor US Rep Joe Courtney (D-CT) also urged the bill's passage. "This is   
   not just a feel-good bill," Courtney said, recounting how Hurricane Sandy   
   brought down the power grid, and "we saw all the advanced communications we   
   take for granted...completely fall by the wayside." Ham radio volunteers   
   provided real-time communication in the storm's wake, he said, saying the   
   legislation was a way "to rebalance things" for radio amateurs who choose to   
   live in deed-restricted neighborhoods by enabling them to install   
   "non-intrusive antennas."   
      
   Courtney noted that he spoke recently with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, and said   
   that Wheeler "strongly supports this legislation."   
      
   Leading up to the vote, Rep Paul Tonko (D-NY) also spoke in support of the   
   legislation, calling it a commonsense approach that would build "fairness into   
   the equation for Amateur Radio operators" in dealing with homeowners   
   associations.   
      
   The earlier U.S. Senate version of the Amateur Radio Parity Act, S. 1685, no   
   longer is in play, and the Senate is expected to vote by unanimous consent on   
   the version of H.R. 1301 that was adopted by the House on September 12.   
      
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
      
   ... But of course I was seduced by the junk food.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)