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Jeopardy of losing UHF bands
Last updated on February 25, 2011 by The C.A.R.L.A. Team | This article is Archived | Permalink
Recently there has been some chatter about a legislative bill (HR-607) that could cause the 420-440MHz band to be auctioned off to the commercial world. The ARRL is officially pulling the fire alarm to start a grass roots movement to ask as many people to send letters to their representative expressing opposition to the bill in its current form. Please read the ARRL message below for instructions on using a sample letter, whom to address it to and where to mail it. They strongly encourage, at minimum, a hand written letter vs a web-based post or e-mail due to the impact it has when tens of thousands of them are handed over all at once and will get delivered much quicker provided it is sent to the ARRL's PR office. However, it may be a good idea to contact your representative by electronic means in *addition to* a "snail mail" letter for a maximum effect.
As a heavy user of the band and considering all of the infrastructure we have in place and the detrimental effect it would have not just to CARLA but all systems out there that use the UHF band to link, including ones in other bands like 6m, 2m, 220, 900, 1.2G, etc... , we need your help to participate in this very important effort. There are also plenty of other operations that go on in the band besides links.
On behalf of CARLA and everything that we've built over the years and offer to the Amateur and emergency services community we ask that you participate in this grass roots movement to stop this bill and pass this along to as many people as you can think of, Amateurs or not.
Thank You!
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ARRL Grass Roots Legislative Program Request
Dear ARRL Member:
As you may have read, Rep. Peter King has introduced the "Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011" and the bill has been assigned HR 607. The story about the Bill's introduction can be found at http://www.arrl.org/news/spectrum-management-bill-threatens-amateur-frequencies.
The League supports spectrum for Public Safety need, but opposes HR 607 because of the inclusion of the 420-440 MHz spectrum as part of a spectrum swap.
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has asked that the Divisions activate the Grass Roots Program by having our Members contact their local member of the House of Representatives asking them to oppose HR 607.
A sample letter can be found at http://www.arrl.org/sample-letters.
Your Representatives can be found at
http://www.arrl.org/contacting-your-congressional-representatives.
Because of delays in mail to Congress, you should send the letters, addressed to your representative, but mailed to the ARRL's Public Relations office, Chwat & Co. Chwat will sort the mail and distribute it directly to each Representative's office.
John Chwat
Chwat & Co.
625 Slaters Lane
Suite 103
Alexandria, VA 22314
Or by FAX 703-684-7594
It is imperative that the letters reach Congress as soon as possible.
Please read about the bill and the threat of our losing more frequencies for amateur use.
73,
Jettie Hill, W6RFF
Pacific Division Legislative Chair