Oct. 12th 7PM
SAV Building
We wish to thank all for their participation to keep our nets active over the summer months. Once again our daily net is on 7.228 at 6:30 AM MST, our 2 meter net with echolink on 145.29, Thurs. 7 PM, and the Snowbird Net on 14.2425 Wed. 1:00 PM. Speaking of the Snowbird Net, we would like everyone to give us your thoughts, especially the snowbirds, at our next meeting about perhaps changing the time next year. It is thought that by changing the time to noon EDST or 1 PM EDST, it would allow for better participation. Propagation to the east coast is also very excellent around 5 or 6 PM MST, so maybe an evening net?? Give us your thoughts.
Tucson Hamfest by the Old Pueblo Radio Club and the Tucson Repeater Association October 15th. Talk-In: 147.30 (PL 110.9) Kino Sports Park 2500 East Ajo Road Tucson AZ.
For more info contact: John Clor, N7SQQ 520-400-6446. JOTA Station will be up and operating from 8-11 am. ARCA meeting at 11am.
SAV will be having an open house on Oct. 7th which will include our radio room. We are looking for volunteers to operate the station and to be there to answer questions during the day.
New York Congressman Steve Israel has reintroduced legislation that could make it easier for radio amateurs living in communities with deed covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) to erect suitable antennas. Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross, WD5DVR, signed aboard as an original cosponsor of the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act" (HR 3876).
ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, attended Israel's public announcement of the bill September 19 on Long Island. "Unfortunately if all new housing developments contain deed restrictions forbidding outside antennas there will probably come a time when there will not be enough ham radio operators to help their neighbors and countrymen," said Fallon. He believes Israel's bill will help to ensure that Amateur Radio will continue to be able to provide emergency communication should a disaster occur. Fallon, who heads up the League's grassroots lobbying initiative, noted the bill's introduction comes in the immediate aftermath of positive media coverage of Amateur Radio's response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. He was on hand for Israel's public announcement, which took place at the home of ARRL New York City-Long
The one-sentence measure is identical to the text of the CC&R bill that has been introduced in the last two sessions of Congress:
"For purposes of the Federal Communications Commission's regulation relating to station antenna structures in the Amateur Radio Service (47 CFR 97.15), any private land use rules applicable to such structures shall be treated as a state or local regulation and shall be subject to the same requirements and limitations as a state or local regulation."
The measure would put private land-use regulations, such as homeowners' association rules, on the same legal plane as state or local zoning regulations under the FCC's PRB-1 limited federal preemption. PRB-1 now applies only to states and municipalities.
ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, this week encouraged League members to write their elected representative and ask that they cosponsor and support the bill, especially given two hurricane emergencies in short order. "Amateur Radio is certainly a part of this nation's communications infrastructure," Haynie said. "What we're asking for is just a fair shake so we can put up antennas and help our fellow citizens."
While the League has ramped up its efforts to educate members of Congress about Amateur Radio, Haynie said lawmakers respond best to individual members. HR 3876 has been assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Information about the bill and a sample letter to use when contacting your representative are available on the ARRL Web site.
In his formal announcement this week, Israel said that "often unsung" Amateur Radio volunteers were instrumental in helping residents in the hardest hit areas in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, including saving stranded flood victims in Louisiana and Mississippi. "State and local governments, as well as disaster relief agencies, could not possibly afford to replace the services that radio amateurs dependably provide for free," said a statement from Israel's office. "However, the hundreds of thousands of Amateur Radio licensees face burdensome regulations that make it extremely difficult to provide their public services."
Terry KC5EGC advises that the annual Fall Ham Picnic has been scheduled for October 23rd at Reid Park, Ramada #14. Start at 11:30. All hams and their families welcome. Bring a dish to share. Put it on your calendar. More info contact: Terry KC5EGC