SB QST @ ARL $ARLB011   
   ARLB011 New "PRB-1" Law Now in Effect in Ohio   
      
   ZCZC AG11   
   QST de W1AW     
   ARRL Bulletin 11  ARLB011   
   From ARRL Headquarters     
   Newington CT  May 17, 2012   
   To all radio amateurs    
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB011   
   ARLB011 New "PRB-1" Law Now in Effect in Ohio   
      
   On May 15, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a bill into law granting   
   comprehensive rights to Amateur Radio operators in that state.   
   Several key players in the successful effort to enact a "PRB-1" law   
   in Ohio were present for the signing, including Section Manager   
   Frank J. Piper, KI8GW; Rick Swain, KK8O; Bill Carpenter, AA8EY;   
   Steve Katz, N8WL, and Constance Barsky, WD8ODC. ARRL Great Lakes   
   Division Director James Weaver, K8JE, was also at the signing.   
      
   Ohio SM Frank Piper provided some background:   
      
   "In the past three years, we have had four versions of this bill in   
   the Ohio Statehouse. In the last State Assembly, these bills died in   
   Committee. In this current Assembly, everything lined up for us, and   
   House Bill 158 made the entire journey from Introduction to the   
   Governor Kasich's signature.   
      
   "We had to make a few revisions to HB 158 during its travels through   
   committee hearings, but in the end we finished with an Act that   
   places the full language of CFR 47, Part 97.15 into the Ohio Revised   
   Code. In addition, language at the end of the law states: 'Any   
   legislative authority that denies an application for approval of an   
   amateur station antenna structure shall state the reasons for the   
   denial and shall, on appeal, bear the burden of proving that the   
   authority's actions are consistent with this section.' This language   
   removes the burden of proof from the Amateur Radio operator and   
   places it on the legislative authority.   
      
   "State Government Liaison Nick Pittner, K8NAP, did a tremendous job   
   over the past several years, staying on top of the status of bills   
   that were running their course on both sides of the Statehouse. Nick   
   knew when to call in key people to testify to Committees, and was   
   instrumental in the process of negotiating the required revisions   
   when requested.   
      
   "My thanks go out to all the Amateur Radio operators in the Ohio   
   Section who called, wrote and e-mailed their State Representatives   
   and Senators to support this legislation. Without their grass roots   
   work, this victory would not have been possible."   
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
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   Gentlemens' agreements ratified by IARU regions 1 and 2 have   
   designated a global "center of activity" frequency  in  each   
   of  the  international  hf  bands.  THese are similar to the   
   concept for weak signal calling and other center of activity   
   frequencies.  Three of these have been ratified worldwide.   
      
   THese  center of activity frequencies are where stations can   
   go to render or obtain emergency assistance.   
      
   WHen casually operating or  contesting  on  hf  please  make   
   yourself  aware  of  these  frequencies,  and give them some   
   space. Remember that often stations with emergency needs are   
   not  those  utilizing  high  gain antennas and maximum legal   
   power.   
      
   TO find out more, visit 14300.net or IARU web resources.   
      
      
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    * Origin: RRN BBS: Your fidonet ham radio connection! (1:116/901)