Bill HR 607

Last month, a bill was introduced in the US House of Representatives that addresses certain spectrum management issues, including the creation and maintenance of a nationwide Public Safety broadband network. This bill -- HR 607, known as The Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011 -- if passed, also calls to auction off parts of the 70 cm band, namely 420-440 and 450-470 MHz. As such, the ARRL asked its members to write their Representative, asking them to not support HR 607 in its current form.
According to ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, Chwat & Co -- the ARRL's legislative relations firm in Washington, DC -- received almost 1000 letters from League members in opposition to HR 607. "This is a great start and many thanks to the diligent members who have risen to the challenge; however, it cannot stop there. As long as HR 607 is in its current form, we must continue this campaign." He clarified that the ARRL opposes HR 607 in its present form: "We do not oppose the concept of dedicated spectrum for the development of a Public Safety infrastructure and wireless network. We object to the bill because of the inclusion of 420-440 MHz as part of the spectrum to be swapped and auctioned to commercial users." Click here for some pointers for writing letters in opposition to HR 607.