SB QST @ ARL $ARLB014
ARLB014 Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1999 introduced

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ARRL Bulletin 14  ARLB014
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  March 4, 1999
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB014
ARLB014 Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 1999 introduced

It's round two in Congress for the Amateur Radio Spectrum Protection
Act. At the request of the ARRL, Rep Michael Bilirakis introduced
the 1999 version of the proposed legislation, HR 783, on February
23.

The bill is aimed at ensuring the availability of spectrum to
Amateur Radio operators. It would protect existing Amateur Radio
spectrum against reallocations to or sharing with other services
unless the FCC provides ''equivalent replacement spectrum'' elsewhere.
Bilirakis, a Florida Republican, also sponsored last year's measure,
which attracted upwards of 83 cosponsors on both sides of the aisle.
Rep Frank Pallone Jr, a New Jersey Democrat, is the initial
cosponsor of the 1999 bill.

ARRL Legislative and Public Affairs Manager Steve Mansfield, N1MZA,
says the 1999 bill ''is largely the same as last year's HR 3572.'' The
major difference is that the 1999 version adds ''Amateur Satellite
Service'' frequencies to ''Amateur Radio Service'' in detailing the
frequencies that would be afforded protection under the act.

HR 783 would amend the Communications Act to require the FCC to
provide ''equivalent replacement spectrum'' to Amateur Radio and the
Amateur Satellite Service in the event of a reallocation of primary
amateur allocations, any reduction in secondary amateur allocations,
or ''additional allocations within such bands that would
substantially reduce the utility thereof'' to amateurs.

Mansfield said it's too soon to predict how HR 783 would fare in the
new Congress, but said the fact that it has been introduced so early
in the session ''bodes well for our prospects.'' He said that a number
of the cosponsors from last year have already indicated an interest
in signing on again.

A copy of the measure is available via the Thomas Web site,
http://thomas.loc.gov/
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