Philosophy
Does the government own the broadcast spectrum?
Ham radio enthusiasts nationwide are concerned about a bill in Congress that they say would limit their ability to help in disasters and emergencies.
Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, introduced legislation last month to reallocate some radio frequencies now used by ham radio to first responders responsible for public safety.
To offset lost revenue from that change, the bill includes a provision that would allow the 420-440 MHz frequencies currently provided free to amateur radio to be auctioned off.
Those frequencies are used not just by hobbyists but also by hundreds of thousands of Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers and severe-weather spotters working with National Weather Service.
"They are a critical component of the National Weather Service's job to protect life and property," said Steve Runnels, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Missouri.
"It's a bad idea. It's not good for public safety," said Harlin McEwen, chairman of a technology committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a spokesman for the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council.
The frequencies set aside for first responders in the bill became available after the digital transition from analog television broadcasting. The Federal Communications Commission was going to auction off those frequencies. The White House calculates the cost of reallocating them for first responders at $3.2 billion.
King stressed the importance of following a 9/11 Commission recommendation to develop a national wireless network for first responders.
"America's first responders, including law enforcement officers and firefighters, these front-line heroes still do not have a national interoperable public safety wireless broadband network," King said.
He added that efforts are underway to address concerns of ham radio operators and others.
Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., a co-sponsor of the bill, said he will work "to ensure that we are not cutting any vital emergency services and not adversely affecting ham radio operations."
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Philosophy
CQ, CQ, CQ...amateur radio operators are concerned
Does the government own the broadcast spectrum?
"Ham radio operators concerned about losing band"
by
Didi Tang and Malia Rulon
USA TODAY
by
Didi Tang and Malia Rulon
USA TODAY
Ham radio enthusiasts nationwide are concerned about a bill in Congress that they say would limit their ability to help in disasters and emergencies.
Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, introduced legislation last month to reallocate some radio frequencies now used by ham radio to first responders responsible for public safety.
To offset lost revenue from that change, the bill includes a provision that would allow the 420-440 MHz frequencies currently provided free to amateur radio to be auctioned off.
Those frequencies are used not just by hobbyists but also by hundreds of thousands of Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers and severe-weather spotters working with National Weather Service.
"They are a critical component of the National Weather Service's job to protect life and property," said Steve Runnels, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Missouri.
"It's a bad idea. It's not good for public safety," said Harlin McEwen, chairman of a technology committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a spokesman for the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council.
The frequencies set aside for first responders in the bill became available after the digital transition from analog television broadcasting. The Federal Communications Commission was going to auction off those frequencies. The White House calculates the cost of reallocating them for first responders at $3.2 billion.
King stressed the importance of following a 9/11 Commission recommendation to develop a national wireless network for first responders.
"America's first responders, including law enforcement officers and firefighters, these front-line heroes still do not have a national interoperable public safety wireless broadband network," King said.
He added that efforts are underway to address concerns of ham radio operators and others.
Rep. Billy Long, R-Mo., a co-sponsor of the bill, said he will work "to ensure that we are not cutting any vital emergency services and not adversely affecting ham radio operations."
- Emergency Alert System (eas)...november 9th, 2011
At the Federal Communications Commission's June 9, 2011 Agenda meeting, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Jamie Barnett, joined by representatives from FEMA and the National Weather Service, announced that the first nationwide test...
- National Association Of Broadcasters...scare Tactic Tv Spot
Maybe you have seen the recently broadcast commercial stating that there are certain interest groups that want to limit free TV. First the government mandates all broadcast signals be digital forcing the use of a converter to translate digital signals...
- Digital Is Near
The start up time for all digital television is June 12th and all is not good. "Millions Face Blank Screens in TV Switch" by Stephen Labaton June 6th, 2009 The New York Times WASHINGTON — Millions of households will lose television reception next...
- 100s Of Analog Signals Are Severed
KCTV TOWER And so chaos and frustration begins. "Hundreds of television stations cut analog signals" by Peter Svensson February 17th, 2009 Associated Press About a quarter of the nation's TV stations cut off their analog signals Tuesday, causing...
- Crystal Radio Sets
I simply cannot resit old radio products. I doubt if you will hear "Hen-reeee! Henry Aldrich!" or "Once again, your neighborhood Blue Coal dealer brings you the thrilling adventures of the Shadow, the hard and relentless fight of one man against the...