<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt; color: #000000'><BR>----- Forwarded Message -----<BR>From: "ARRL Members Only Web site" <memberlist@www.arrl.org><BR>To: djmay@comcast.net<BR>Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 8:38:36 AM<BR>Subject: HR 607 Threatens Amateur Frequencies<BR><BR>HR 607 Threatens Amateur Spectrum<BR><BR>We have a serious problem folks and your help is needed immediately.<BR>te<BR>Peter King (R-NY) has introduced "Broadband for First Responders Act of<BR>2011" which has been assigned the number HR 607. The bill discusses the<BR>creation and maintenance of a nationwide public safety broadband<BR>network. The problem is that this bill, among its provisions, includes<BR>420-440 MHz, most of the 70 CM Amateur band, as part of a spectrum<BR>swap. In particular, the bill lists the paired bands of 420-440 MHz<BR>and 450-470 MHz among the bands to be reallocated for commercial<BR>auction within 10 years of its passage. You can read all about the<BR>background of this bill at<BR>http://www.arrl.org/news/spectrum-management-bill-threatens-amateur-frequencies.<BR> <BR><BR>The bill is gathering support so you need to write as soon as possible.<BR> If we don’t act now, we could lose these frequencies! The threat is<BR>real.<BR><BR>So this is what you need to do.<BR>Please contact your local representative asking them to oppose HR 607<BR>in its present form. Here are some key points to remember when<BR>writing:<BR>We all support the need for public safety and first responders to have<BR>an interoperable network and we support their need for frequencies in<BR>the “D-block” (700MHz range) but we oppose the inclusion of<BR>frequencies allocated to our service which we already share on a<BR>secondary basis with the governmental radiolocation services. As you<BR>know, the 70-cm band is a critical resource for Amateur radio public<BR>service and emergency communications. <BR><BR>To help you in this effort, please go to<BR>http://www.arrl.org/sample-letters where you will find A sample<BR>letter opposing HR 607 in its present form, a link to the ARRL Webpage<BR>that gives you the contact information for your Members of Congress,<BR>and A link to information sending your letters to our Washington<BR>lobbyist to hand-deliver to Capitol Hill. <BR><BR>We are advised not to use direct mail to Congress because of their<BR>security measures. It is best to send your letters to the ARRL<BR>lobbyist who will hand deliver them.<BR><BR>For your handy reference, here is this information for the lobbyist:<BR>Send letters addressed to your representative to:<BR> John Chwat<BR> Chwat & Co.<BR> 625 Slaters Lane<BR> Suite 103<BR> Alexandria, VA 22314<BR><BR>By Fax - Send to: 703-684-7594<BR><BR>You may also send a signed letter via email to: arrl@chwatco.com.<BR><BR>ARRL Web reports “You can keep updated about this issue by checking<BR>the ARRL Web page and subscribing to the newly-created ARRL<BR>Legislative Update Newsletter which will get you available information<BR>automatically. Sign up by logging onto the ARRL website and select the<BR>‘Edit Your Profile’ link located at the top of each page. Once on<BR>that page, select the ‘Edit Email Subscriptions” tab and click on<BR>the box for ARRL Legislative Update.” The ARRL Legislative Update is<BR>prepared on an “as needed” basis to those who have opted-in to<BR>receive it.”<BR><BR>I know you will each give this your prompt attention.<BR><BR>Thank you.<BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>ARRL Connecticut Section<BR>Section Manager: Betsey M Doane, K1EIC<BR>k1eic@arrl.org<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>To unsubscribe from messages, go to:<BR>http://p1k.arrl.org/oo/23a9dcf20eb45f8ac71337c0985b094e<BR></div></body></html>