Support HR 2160 Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act

One of the most valuable resources to the emergency management community are amateur radio operators. “Hams” provide a valuable backup communications option that is largely independent of other infrastructure such as commercial electricity, telephone, and Internet connectivity.

History has shown that just when we think amateur radio has become an unnecessary relic of an earlier era, natural or man made disasters demonstrate how fragile our communications networks really are.

But hams face increasing opposition from both private deed restrictions, and municipals codes that restrict their ability to erect the antennas necessary for their operation. While these may be seen as legitimate efforts to beautify a neighborhood, they do so at the expense of our shared security.

There is currently a bill in the House that seeks to provide some reasonable protection for these volunteers. HR 2160-The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications enhancement Act of 2009 is gaining some momentum, with three more cosponsors lending their support:
Congressmen — Geoff Davis (R-KY-4), Bill Posey (R-FL-15) and Michael
Turner (R-OH-3) — pledged their support for HR 2160
<http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2160:>,  bringing the
total number of cosponsors to 24, including original sponsor Sheila
Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18)
<http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/04/30/10792/?nc=1>.

HR 2160 is also sponsored by W. Todd Akin (R-MO-2), Michael Arcuri (D-NY-24), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-6), John Boozman (R-AR-3), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), Bob Filner (D-CA-51), Bart Gordon (D-TN-6), Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22), Michael Honda (D-CA-15), Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH-15), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-16), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO-9), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11), Charlie Melancon (D-LA-3), Dennis Moore (D-KS-3), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-2), Peter Welch (D-VT), David Wu
(D-OR-1) and Don Young (R-AK).

Nothing would enhance the chance of this bill’s passage than the vocal support of professional Emergency Managers and organizations like the IAEM, NEMA, APCO, and others. We urge these groups and concerned individuals to “give back” to these dedicated volunteers by lending to your voice in support of this legislation.