SB QST @ ARL $ARLB018   
   ARLB018 Executive Order Poses No Threat to the Amateur Radio Service   
      
   ZCZC AG19   
   QST de W1AW     
   ARRL Bulletin 18  ARLB018   
   From ARRL Headquarters     
   Newington CT  July 12, 2012   
   To all radio amateurs    
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB018   
   ARLB018 Executive Order Poses No Threat to the Amateur Radio Service   
      
   On July 6, 2012, the White House released an Executive Order that   
   addresses National Security and Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP)   
   communications functions of the federal government. Contrary to some   
   concerns raised in a few Amateur Radio circles, the Order does not   
   appear to contain any threat to the Amateur Service or its ability   
   to continue support communications during times of emergency or   
   disaster. It also poses no threat to amateur spectrum.   
      
   "The purpose of the new entity, which would be created by this Order   
   within the Executive Branch, appears to be to plan for future NS/EP   
   communications and to insure survivability, hardness and   
   interoperability, as well as to develop a long-term strategic plan   
   for NS/EP communications," said ARRL Regulatory Information Manager   
   Dan Henderson, N1ND. "Based on the Amateur Service's ongoing,   
   positive working relationship with officials at the Department of   
   Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications, it is hard   
   to envision that any new management plan would not include Amateur   
   Radio. Nothing in this Order directly affects Amateur Radio's daily   
   operations."   
      
   A good summary of the content of the Order can be found online at,   
   http://www.federalnewsradio.com/519/2933910/Obama-assigns-new-re   
   ponsibilities-f   
   or-keeping-government-connected-in-case-of-emergency.   
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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)