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 Previous: ARISS Roy Neal Commemorative Event Certificates in the Mail |  Next: ARRL Supports FCC's Cognitive Radio Technology Proposals with Reservations |
NEWINGTON, CT, May 11, 2004--An ARRL member from Wisconsin took advantage of a recent campaign visit by President George W. Bush to carry ham radio's concerns about broadband over power line (BPL) right to the top. Rich Kelly, KB9RNO, of Prairie du Chien, says he did what he could May 7 in the few moments it took to greet Bush when he came to town and shake his hand from within the crowd.
 President George W. Bush addresses a re-election campaign gathering in Wisconsin. |
"I knew that I wanted him to hear something from a ham about BPL, but I wasn't sure how to get that done," Kelly said. "I wanted him to know that it was a concern for us." Kelly says he got his chance when Bush was leaving the campaign event, and he was able to get very close to the president and shake his hand.
"I held his hand extra long and said, 'Mr President, please support the Amateur Radio operators of America!'" Kelly says the president looked right at him and replied, "I do, I do."
As Bush moved on down the line of well-wishers, Kelly continued, "Broadband Internet over power lines is a real concern for us." He said the president turned back toward him and responded, "I know, I know about it."
"And in a flash, he was gone," Kelly said. "It doesn't really tell us much about his support or concern about the potential problem, but at least I know that he heard me and was aware that he was talking to a Amateur Radio supporter. That is my best effort for going right to the top!"
Kelly said the exchange took place as Bush made a planned
campaign stop in Prairie du Chien, a Mississippi River community of some 6200
people. He said approximately 1500 were on hand for the occasion, and he
managed to get a ticket to the "town hall meeting" the president addressed.
 Surrounded by a Secret Service escort, President Bush greets well-wishers and signs an autograph. [Cindy Kelly Photos] |
Kelly said he knew he had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to say something to the president on behalf of Amateur Radio. "Trying to find the right words when I knew that I only had a short time to do it was the hard part," he said. "I guess that I picked the right words--straight and to the point."
Kelly says that while the president may have forgotten the exchange just as quickly as it occurred, he felt it was a worthwhile gesture nonetheless. "I made the effort and feel good about it," he said, adding, "Long live Amateur Radio!"
In late April, the ARRL called on the White House to withdraw its support for BPL and focus the administration's attention on "more suitable technologies" such as wireless broadband access. The League also issued a call for members to do the same. In an April 26 speech in Minneapolis, Bush had advocated changing technical standards to encourage BPL deployment in the US. President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, told Bush in a fax that while the League supports universal and affordable broadband access, BPL is the wrong direction to take.
The ARRL Web site provides an information package explaining how members
can contact the White House and members of Congress to express their views on
BPL deployment and why they need to do so.
| Previous: ARISS Roy Neal Commemorative Event Certificates in the Mail | Next: ARRL Supports FCC's Cognitive Radio Technology Proposals with Reservations |
