08/18/2010

On August 16, ReconRobotics -- in response to the ARRL’s Petition to Deny Applications, filed with the FCC on August 4 -- filed an Opposition to Petition to Deny with the FCC, arguing that the ARRL’s Petition is “frivolous.” The ARRL’s Petition asked the FCC to deny 68 pending Public Safety Pool license applications associated with the ReconRobotics Video and Audio Surveillance System, specifically the Recon Scout device.

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On Tuesday October 20, 2009 the FCC released a Public Notice clarifying the Commission's rules relating to the use of Amateur Radio by licensed amateurs participating in drills and exercises on behalf of their employers. Entitled Amateur Service Communications During Government Disaster Drills, the Public Notice addresses participation by paid employees of organizations taking part in drills.

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The US House has a bill and now the US Senate has one as well.

On Tuesday, October 6, Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), along with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), introduced Senate Bill 1755, The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009. Similar to HR 2160 -- also called The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- that was introduced this past April by Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18), the bill, if passed, would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake a study on emergency communications. S 1755 points out that "There is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given -- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations."

www.arrl.org

On Friday, September 25, the ARRL Board of Directors adopted guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio on behalf of commercial, non-profit and government entities, as well as recommendations for additional steps to be taken by the ARRL to educate radio amateurs and others on how to prepare and train for public service and emergency communications while complying with the current FCC Rules.

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Connecticut Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) www.ctares.org

Wayne Gronlund, N1CLV - SEC leader of the team, and overall operational coordination; n1clv@mac.com

• Region 1) Allan Valeo, NN1H; nn1h@arrl.net

• Region 2) Chris Burns, W1HVN; w1hvn@arrl.net

• Region 3) Jonathan Hardy, KB1KIX; kb1kix@arrl.net

• Region 4) Bill Covey, W1GTT; w1gtt@aol.com

• Region 5) Dave Hyatt, K1DAV; k1dav@arrl.net


Public Safety Groups - Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
www.ct.gov