Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2005

At the urging of the ARRL, Rep Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) has introduced The Amateur Radio Spectrum Act of 2005 into the US House of Representatives.

The bill, designated HR 691, has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee where Bilirakis serves as vice chairman. Like previous versions of the proposal, the current measure would require the FCC to provide "equivalent replacement spectrum" to Amateur Radio if the FCC reallocates primary amateur frequencies, reduces any secondary amateur allocations, or makes additional allocations within such bands that would substantially reduce their utility to amateurs. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, expressed his appreciation to Bilirakis this week.

"As president of the American Radio League and on behalf of the more than 670,000 federally licensed Amateur Radio operators throughout the country, I would like to thank you for once again sponsoring the 'Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act,'" Haynie told the Florida Republican. "As you know, this legislation is vital for ensuring that the Amateur Radio Service, the only 100-percent fail safe emergency communication capability, remains a viable public safety option."

HR 691 references Amateur Radio's role in providing "voluntary, noncommercial radio service, particularly emergency communications," and it points out that hams have "consistently and reliably" provided communication
support in the event of emergencies and disasters including tornadoes and hurricanes, chemical spills, forest fires and rail accidents. As the measure notes, FCC actions already have led to the loss of at least 107 MHz of spectrum to radio amateurs.

Rep Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) has signed on as the bill's first co-sponsor. Bartlett chairs the Projection Forces Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee. One of three scientists in the 109th Congress, Bartlett also is a
senior member of the House Science Committee.

Efforts now will focus on attracting additional cosponsors for the legislation. The League is encouraging members to urge their congressional representatives to sign aboard HR 691. A sample letter is available on theARRL Web site.

More than 100 lawmakers agreed to cosponsor similar legislation in the 108th Congress, where it was designated HR 713. Work is proceeding to have identical legislation introduced in the US Senate.

The text of HR 691 is available on the Government Printing Office Web site.

For general guidance on the best methods of contacting your members of Congress, see "Communicating with Congress," by Derek Riker, KB3JLF, on the ARRL Web site.

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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