Need for spectrum defense never ends

While ARRL members often say that advocating for Amateur Radio's interests is the most valuable service the League can perform on their behalf, that advocacy carries a hefty price tag. So says ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH.

Although she realizes it's a message ARRL members may be weary of hearing, Hobart says the cost of keeping abreast of today's changing regulatory and technological environment is essential to Amateur Radio's future.
And while contributing to the 2005 ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund is a regular and ongoing obligation, it also pays back donors down the road.

"Radio amateurs owe it to themselves to donate," she says, "no matter their license class or even whether they're ARRL members or not." Hobart reiterated the campaign kickoff comment of ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, who said, "Without spectrum, the license that we have in our pocket
or hanging up on the wall is pretty much useless."

Despite the FCC's recent adoption of new rules to govern broadband over power line (BPL) systems - the theme of the 2005 fundraising campaign is ". . . more than just BPL" - Hobart says spectrum defense remains just as important as ever. "ARRL's work continues - technically, legally, any way
we can," she emphasized. "The bills keep mounting."

But she also points to results. ARRL's persistence in the BPL proceeding, she noted, helped to put Amateur Radio's interference concerns on the FCC's radar screen and get them acknowledged - even if not yet adequately addressed - in the FCC's recent BPL Report and Order.

Beyond BPL, "there will be other challenges down the road," Hobart says. "And - like the Boy Scouts - we need to be prepared." The cost of spectrum defense, which includes advocacy in "Official Washington," through the ARRL's Technical Relations Office, does not come entirely out of
individual member dues.

"Without these fundamental relationships in DC, when something hits, we simply wouldn't be ready," she said.

Hobart called on "ARRL members regardless of license class, prior donors who haven't contributed this year, our generous Diamond Club members and Amateur Radio clubs and organizations" to give what they can. "All of these have an important stake in the success of our advocacy, whether it's
BPL, spectrum access or an issue we don't even know about yet," said Hobart.

She also thanked those who have already contributed. "A lot of people have given a lot of money so far, but the need doesn't stop," she said.

In his October QST "It Seems to Us . . ." editorial, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, pointed out that not all of ARRL's advocacy work is defensive. "Thanks to our persistent effort over more than a decade, last year's WRC [World Radiocommunication Conference] agreed to double the size
of the worldwide 40-meter amateur band by relocating broadcasting stations elsewhere in the spectrum," he wrote. He also noted the authorization for US amateurs to use five channels in the 5-MHz band. Such significant victories, he asserted, would not be possible "without financial support
from thousands of ARRL members like you."

Radio amateurs may contribute online via the ARRL's secure donor Web site. Those contributing at or above the $50 level may request a gift as a token of the League's appreciation.

For more information, contact ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, mhobart@arrl.org; 860-594-0397.

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

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