Amateur Radio Parity Act Agreement

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A consensus has been reached between the ARRL, the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the National Homeowners Association (HOAs) on the provision of HR1301 - the Amateur Radio Parity Act. The agreement allows for substitute language to amend the bill to overcome recent objections.

Under the agreement, the FCC would enact rules prohibiting the application of deed restrictions that preclude Amateur radio communications. Also prohibited would be deed restrictions that do not permit an Amateur Radio operator living in a deed-restricted community to install and maintain an effective outdoor antenna on property under the licensee’s exclusive use or control.

The details, which have been under discussion since February, does not guarantee the passage of the bill, it is hoped the agreement will make passing the bill a lot easier.

According to the substitute bill’s language, the FCC would enact rules prohibiting the application of deed restrictions that preclude Amateur Radio communication on their face or as applied. Also prohibited would be deed restrictions that do not permit an Amateur Radio operator living in a deed-restricted community to install and maintain an effective outdoor antenna on property under the licensee’s exclusive use or control.

While this agreement does not guarantee passage of the bill, it certainly makes it a lot easier.

The ARRL’s version - http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-community-associations-institute-find-common-ground-on-parity-act-language

The CAI’s version of the story - https://www.caionline.org/Advocacy/GovernmentAffairsBlog/Pages/1301Compromise.aspx\

The amended language agreed to by both the ARRL and CAI - https://www.caionline.org/Advocacy/FederalAdvocacy/PriorityIssues/Documents/H.R.%201301%20Amendment.pdf

Radio Ham Praised for Service to Emergency Planning

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Retired nurse Fred Herr WD8AGH has been named the Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer of the Year 

Herr has been a volunteer with the Cabell-Wayne MRC for more than nine years assisting with flu clinics, ham radio operations, emergency drills, the emergency operations center and shelter planning. He is also a member of the Cabell-Wayne Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) to provide expertise in HAM radio operations and emergency communications.

“His expert knowledge in communications has made him our go-to volunteer for ham radios and interoperable radios. Fred and his wife Melanie always answer our call outs and drills even when they are in another country. We couldn’t do it without great volunteers like Fred.”
— Karen Hall-Dundas, Medical Reserve Corps coordinator
Fred Herr WD8AGH

Fred Herr WD8AGH

"His expert knowledge in communications has made him our go-to volunteer for ham radios and interoperable radios," Hall-Dundas said. "Fred and his wife Melanie always answer our call outs and drills even when they are in another country. We couldn't do it without great volunteers like Fred."

Herr began working with Amateur / Ham radios as a hobby before he was married, but his interest was heightened when he realized the benefits they can have for public health in emergencies.

“That’s been one of its premises since the early beginnings. Even in our regulations in states, it can be used for emergency communications when other routes fail. It really started with (Hurricane) Katrina in 2005, they realized all these systems that the government builds and all the cell phone systems are subject to failure, whether natural or human made. Amateur radio has the ability to become a back-up for communications and the health department picked up on that.”
— Fred Herr WD8AGH

100 Sprite Satellites to be Deployed

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A second attempt to deploy around 100 tiny Sprite Spacecraft from the International Space Station is planned for this July 2016, organised by Zac Manchester KD2BHC

The previous attempt at deployment from the CubeSat KickSat-1 in 2014 was unsuccessful.

A radio amateur's tiny Sprite Spacecraft are planned to be shipped to the International Space Station in July

Full Story - http://www.nature.com/news/tiny-chipsat-spacecraft-set-for-first-flight-1.20006

Watch a simulation, produced by Ben Bishop VK2FBRB, of the planned Sprite deployment - https://amsat-uk.org/2014/04/18/successful-launch-of-kicksat-carrying-104-sprite-satellites/

2014 deployment attempt - https://amsat-uk.org/2014/05/03/kicksat-sprite-deployment-may-not-happen/