SB QST @ ARL $ARLB022   
   ARLB022 FCC Releases Congressionally Mandated Study on Amateur Radio   
      
   ZCZC AG23   
   QST de W1AW     
   ARRL Bulletin 22  ARLB022   
   From ARRL Headquarters     
   Newington CT  August 23, 2012   
   To all radio amateurs    
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB022   
   ARLB022 FCC Releases Congressionally Mandated Study on Amateur Radio   
      
   On August 20 -- in response to a Spring 2012 Congressional directive   
   -- the Federal Communications Commission released its findings on   
   the Uses and Capabilities of Amateur Radio Service Communications in   
   Emergencies and Disaster Relief: Report to Congress Pursuant to   
   Section 6414 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of   
   2012.   
      
   This report contains the FCC's "review of the importance of   
   emergency Amateur Radio Service communications relating to   
   disasters, severe weather and other threats to lives and property in   
   the United States; and recommendations for enhancements in the   
   voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio operators in disaster and   
   emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; and   
   recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators   
   in the planning and furtherance of initiatives of the federal   
   government." It also required "that the study identify impediments   
   to enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications and provide   
   recommendations regarding the removal of such impediments."   
      
   "There are many positive things included in the FCC report to   
   Congress," said ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson,   
   N1ND. "We are pleased that the Commission highlighted the existing   
   Amateur Radio infrastructure to provide disaster and time-critical   
   communications. They also recognized the flexibility of the Amateur   
   Service in working with federal, state, local and tribal emergency   
   service agencies to supplement existing communications. The   
   affirmation of the value that Amateur Radio brings to the   
   communities across the country is underscored by the suggestion that   
   'DHS work with state, local, and tribal authorities so they may   
   develop disaster area access or credentialing policies for trained   
   amateur operators, including a means for documenting their   
   qualifications..."'   
      
   While the FCC did hold Amateur Radio in a positive light in its   
   discussion of emergency Amateur Radio Service communications, the   
   FCC report was not as favorable in the portion of the study that   
   addressed impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio Service   
   communications. In the comments provided to the FCC as they prepared   
   the study, the ARRL -- as well as numerous individuals -- cited the   
   proliferation of specific land-use restrictions, such as deed   
   restrictions and homeowners associations covenants, that prohibit   
   the erection of even modest Amateur Radio antennas.   
      
   The ARRL cited that such restrictions now apply to tens of millions   
   of homes and condominiums. In communities across every state, these   
   restrictions make finding suitable living arrangements that would   
   also allow amateurs to participate effectively in providing support   
   communications nearly impossible to find. The FCC disagreed with   
   that assessment stating "...our review of the record does not   
   indicate that amateur operators are unable to find homes that are   
   not subject to such restrictions. Therefore, at this time, we do not   
   see a compelling reason for the Commission to revisit its previous   
   determinations that preemption should not be expanded to CCRs."   
      
   When considering any current rules that serve as impediments to   
   enhanced Amateur Radio Service communications, the report did agree   
   with the ARRL's position, stating that "Commission rules that may be   
   an impediment to enhanced Amateur Service emergency communications   
   can, as the ARRL notes, be considered through the Commission's   
   rulemaking process. Consequently, we do not believe that   
   Congressional action is necessary to address any of these issues."   
      
   In the report, the FCC recommended that "DHS consult with the public   
   safety, emergency management and Amateur Radio emergency   
   communications associations and groups to identify training   
   opportunities that will support better utilization of Amateur Radio   
   operators for emergency communications, and to solicit views on how   
   Amateur Radio capabilities could be further incorporated into   
   response plans or initiatives. We also recommend that OEC include   
   these recommendations in the NECP."   
      
   Henderson noted that it is significant "that the FCC recommends   
   efforts be continued by DHS to facilitate the training and   
   utilization of Amateur Radio across the emergency and disaster   
   response spectrum -- from the public sector through to the various   
   groups and organizations which provide support communications via   
   the Amateur Service, including ARES, RACES, MARS or locally   
   organized support groups. When served agencies and amateur groups   
   plan and train cooperatively, it only enhances our abilities to   
   serve our communities and the public."   
      
   With the delivery of the FCC's report to Congress, the ARRL will   
   determine its next step in its efforts to find relief for amateurs   
   who live under unduly restrictive private land-use regulations. "Our   
   review of the FCC report shows that there is a lot to be done if   
   amateurs living in deed-restricted properties are to receive even   
   the limited relief they enjoy under the Commission's PRB-1 ruling or   
   the limited relief given to deed-restricted properties given by the   
   FCC's OTARD ruling," Henderson said. "This means continuing ARRL's   
   efforts on Capitol Hill and continuing to seek a Congressional   
   directive to the Commission to extend those limited preemptions to   
   include prohibition of effective Amateur Radio antennas and support   
   structure that are imposed by private land use restrictions. The FCC   
   report to Congress is not the final action in this fight. It merely   
   lays the groundwork for the next steps to be taken by the ARRL," he   
   concluded.   
      
   Read the complete FCC report on the web at,   
   http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/db0   
   20/DA-12-1342A1   
   .pdf.   
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
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   Providing   emergency   communications  assistance  to  your   
   neighbors and community isn't just a good thing to do,  it's   
   the first and foremost activity recognized in the U.s. rules   
   governing amateur radio in 47 CFR section 97.1. IF you enjoy   
   amateur  radio  remember  that  this  is  an  obligation you   
   tacitly agreed to when you acquired your license.   
      
      
      
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