Amateur Radio Rights at Risk by proposed bill HR 607 which Threatens Radio Spectrum

HR 607 | On February 10, 2011, Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, introduced H.R. 607, the "Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011," which has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee (which handles telecommunications legislation). The bill addresses certain spectrum management issues including the creation and maintenance of a nationwide Public Safety broadband network.

As part of that network, the Bill provides for the allocation of the so-called "D-Block" of spectrum in the 700 MHz range for Public Safety use. HR 607 uniquely, provides for the reallocation of other spectrum for auction to commercial users, in order to offset the loss of revenue that would occur as the result of the allocation of the D-Block to Public Safety instead of commercial auction. H.R. 607 lists, among the bands to be reallocated for commercial auction within ten years of the passage of the Bill, the paired bands 420-440 MHz and 450-470 MHz.

The inclusion of most of the Amateur 70-cm spectrum as one of the replacement bands is a major problem. The 420-440 MHz band is not Public Safety spectrum and should not be included in any spectrum swap of Public Safety allocations.

While the ARRL and all Amateurs support the work of Public Safety and recognize their need for dedicated spectrum which would promote interoperability, the ARRL vigorously opposes HR 607 in its present form. HR 607 is a direct threat to our limited spectrum and the ARRL encourages all amateurs to appropriately voice their opposition to this bill.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• arrl
• hr
• 607
• bill
• threatens
• amateur
• radio
• uhf
• frequencies
• politics
• band
• spectrum
• rep
• peter
• king
• r-ny
• homeland
• security
• first
• responders
• house
• energy
• committee

[eogg25]

this has been going on for years. eventually if they ever get rid of lobbiers we will lose everything, the government will get money from you anyway they can.

[colliecandle]

Just disregard the stinking government! If you let the bastards gwet away with this, what next? Illegal to BREATHE ????????

[tonytonytee]

our government never stops screwing us.. over and over and over.. and they call this a free country.. they are even going things this year to he c,b, bands as well.. n0amy.

[Lurker1979]

I would only support it, if we get compensated somewhere else on the spectrum. Some how tho I think this is a uphill battle. To many interests want VHF and UHF.

[slewofdamascus]

What is the status of this bill?

[JesusNonEnviromental]

When is Facebook and Google putting together a protest march against this government, Oh thats right, they only do gay marches and prochoice marches, silly me

[W6CSAhamradio]

If we were to use the Frequencies then we wouldn't have this problem. Not to bust bubbles or to sound like a jackass but I don't see how 420-440 MHz is used for "Public Safety". The bandplan states that most of 420-426 MHz is for FSTV (or ATV) and 432-434 is Weak Signal SSB and CW. 434-440 is used mainly for Satellite communications. Now on the other hand 440-450 MHz could be used for "Public Service" being that repeaters and FM Simplex is in this spectrum.

73 de W6CSA