‰ NOW 18 WPM transition file follows‰ The bill is passed without objection. With those words, Amateur Radio history was made on September 12, when the US House of Representatives approved the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, on a voice vote under a suspension of the rules. The focus of the campaign to enact the legislation into law now shifts to the US Senate. The House victory culminated many years of effort on ARRLs part to gain legislation that would enable radio amateurs living in deed restricted communities to erect antennas that support Amateur Radio communication. The measure calls on the FCC to amend its Part 97 rules to prohibit the application to amateur stations of certain private land use restrictions, and for other purposes. While similar bills in past years gained some traction on Capitol Hill, it was not until the overwhelming grassroots support from the Amateur Radio community for H.R. 1301 shepherded by ARRL that a bill made it this far. The legislation faces significant obstacles to passage in the US Senate, however. This is huge step in our effort to enact legislation that will allow radio amateurs who live in deed restricted communities the ability to construct an effective outdoor antenna, ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said. Thanks to everyone for their help in this effort thus far. Now we must turn our full attention to getting the bill passed in the Senate. ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, who chairs the ARRL Boards Legislative Advocacy Committee, has been heavily involved in efforts to move H.R. 1301 forward. This has been a multiyear effort that is finally seeing some light, he said. The passage of the bill in the House is a major accomplishment, due to the hard work of so many from the rank and file member to the officers and directors. Lisenco said its not a time to rest on our laurels. We are only halfway there. The focus now shifts to our effort in the Senate, he said. We are beginning a massive email campaign in which we need every member to write their two Senators using our simplified process. You will be hearing from President Roderick and from your Directors, asking you to go to our Rally Congress page. Using your ZIP code, emails will be generated much like our recent letter campaign. Youll fill in your name and address and press Enter. The emails will be sent directly to your Senators without you having to search through their websites. The Rally Congress website mentioned in this bulletin can be found in teleprinter, packet and Internet versions of 2016 ARRL Bulletin ARLB032. Lisenco said getting these emails to members Senators is a critical part of the process. Those numbers matter. Please help us help you by participating in this effort, he said. As the amended bill provides, Community associations should fairly administer private land use regulations in the interest of their communities, while nevertheless permitting the installation and maintenance of effective outdoor Amateur Radio antennas. There exist antenna designs and installations that can be consistent with the aesthetics and physical characteristics of land and structures in community associations while accommodating communications in the Amateur Radio services. ‰ END OF 18 WPM transition file ƒ