Subj : Newsline Part 1
To : All
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Fri Jan 27 2017 04:43 am
Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2048 for Friday, January 27, 2017
Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2048, with a release date of Friday,
January 27,2017 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.
The following is a QST. There's a new leader at the helm of the FCC. The
Amateur Radio Parity Act scores a victory in the House -- and in Missouri,
state lawmakers consider their local version of the federal bill. All this
and more, as Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2048, comes your way right now.
**
BILLBOARD CART
***
AMATEUR RADIO PARITY ACT PASSES IN HOUSE
NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story is the Amateur Radio Parity Act. Only days
after its introduction on Capitol Hill, the bill, also known as H.R. 555,
was passed by the House of Representatives on unanimous consent under a
suspension of House rules. Under the measure, FCC rules would prohibit
deed restrictions by groups such as homeowners associations that bar
amateur radio communications.
ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, said in an email
message to members that he was encouraged by the swiftness of the
lawmakers' action. The measure moves next to the Senate, where its
predecessor H.R. 1301, died last year after overwhelmingly winning
approval in the House. Lisenco, who has been involved in the legislative
push, urged hams to raise their voices once again for its passage by
sending supportive emails to Congress.
In an email to members, ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, pressed hams
to strengthen the grassroots effort nationally. He wrote in an email
message sent to members: QUOTE "Keep going. Now is the time to charge
forward with that same momentum to the Senate. We can do it!" ENDQUOTE
(ARRL)
**
MISSOURI LAWMAKERS CONSIDER STATE PARITY ACT
NEIL/ANCHOR: Meanwhile, Missouri lawmakers have been holding hearings on
a state version of the parity act, as we learn from Amateur Radio
Newsline's Christian Cudnik, K0STH.
CHRISTIAN: House Bill 136, also known as the Missouri Amateur Radio
Parity Act, was before a committee hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017.
It was the third hearing scheduled at high noon. Roughly, twenty Missouri
hams came to the Capital prepared to speak on behalf of the bill.
Due to time constraints, only four licensed amateurs were allowed to
testify -- one of which was Ward Silver N0AX.
Rep. Mike Moon, from District 157, voiced his basic support for the
amateur radio service, but raised his concern about "violating" private
land-use agreements. Additional questions about the size of antennas were
asked from several district representatives.
Larry Scantlan, KE0KZ is one of the leading advocates of Bill 136. He
said: "I believe we could have done a better job in answering the
questions about antenna size. I believe that overall, the committee
received the information they needed to make a favorable decision to
pass it out to their committee."
The HOAs were also represented. Jim Durham testified in opposition.
However, in the end, he stated that he believed that [quote] "something
positive could be worked out to satisfy everyone." [endquote]
Next, Bill 136 waits for the committee to bring it up for a vote.
In the meantime, organizers encourage Amateur Radio Operators in Missouri
to contact their representatives, and ask for their support. This
information, other ham radio related resources, and an interactive blog
can be found at marpa.us.
For Amateur Radio Newsline in Missouri, I'm Christian Cudnik, K0STH.
**
NEW CHAIRMAN AT HELM OF FCC
NEIL/ANCHOR: Back in Washington, D.C., the federal Amateur Radio Parity
Act has already drawn praise from the nation's new top telecommunications
regulator, Ajit Pai, shortly after being named new chairman of the FCC
by President Donald Trump. Pai, the commission's senior Republican, had
only praise for the action taken by the House of Representatives in
passing H.R. 555, calling it an important piece of legislation.
Originally named to the commission under President Barack Obama, Pai is
an advocate of limited government involvement, and free-market forces.
His first open meeting of the FCC is set for Tuesday, Jan. 31.
