STOP HR 607 AND KEEP EMERGENCY RADIO FREE

Dear Representative:
Amateur (HAM) radio, while not receiving much publicity was for a time the ONLY form of communication during Hurricane Katrina, and currently is being used to get information out of information blackout zones in Libya and the Middle East in support of democracy. Please vote against the current effort to take some of the HAM spectrum away from the public. Less public HAM frequencies mean less messages out in times of crisis.

On February 10, Representative Peter King (R-NY-3), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, introduced HR 607, the Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011. The bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which handles telecommunications legislation. HR 607 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 вD-Blockв of spectrum in the 700 MHz range for Public Safety use.

Of serious concern is the inclusion of the 420-440 MHz amateur allocation in the list of frequencies to be cleared for auction. The ARRL and the Amateur Radio community certainly support the work of public safety agencies and understand their desire for an interoperable network; however, the inclusion of MOST of the amateur 70 cm spectrum as one of the replacement bands is illogical and unacceptable. The 420-440 MHz band is not Public Safety spectrum and should never have been included in any spectrum swap of Public Safety allocations. This will limit the public's ability to help during disaster relief.

Please vote against this act and speak those who support it, letting them know it is bad for American Homeland Security. HR 607 is presently cosponsored by the Homeland Security Committeeвs Ranking Member, Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS-2) as well as Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV-1), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-11), Billy Long (R-MO-7), Candice S. Miller (R-MI-10), Laura Richardson (D-CA-37), Mike Rogers (R-AL-3), and Michael Grimm (R-NY-13).