ARRL

Regulatory & Advocacy

09/19/2016 | FCC Updates Notice on Amateur Radio Operation in CEPT Countries

The FCC has updated its Public Notice on Amateur Radio operation in European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) countries that have adopted certain recommendations regarding the US. Learn More
08/31/2016 | FCC Proposes Substantial Fine for Unlicensed Amateur Operation, False Police Call

A New York City man faces a fine of $23,000 for operating on Amateur Radio frequencies without a license and for transmitting a false officer-in-distress call on a New York City Police Department (NYPD) radio channel. Learn More
08/23/2016 | Three Companies Agree to Plead Guilty for Fixing Prices of Electrolytic Capacitors

The US Department of Justice announced this week that three companies have agreed to plead guilty for their roles in a conspiracy to fix prices for electrolytic capacitors. Learn More
08/15/2016 | ARRL Encourages Comprehensive Noise Floor Study

In anticipation of an FCC Technological Advisory Council (TAC) investigation into changes and trends to the radio spectrum noise floor to determine if there is an increasing noise problem, ARRL asserted that such a study is long overdue. Learn More

Legislative Activities

ARRL informs lawmakers about the contributions and needs of the Amateur Radio service. Learn More
Regulatory Agencies

ARRL interacts with the FCC and other federal agencies involved in telecommunications policies. Learn More
State Advocacy

The ARRL volunteer Field Organization includes State Government Liaisons (SGL) who monitor state legislation. Learn More
Local Advocacy

ARRL supports local amateurs in representing Amateur Radio in their communities. Learn More

The ARRL Regulatory Information Branch is responsible for interpretations of Amateur Radio regulatory issues. These include:

Concerns about FCC rules and regulations,
Applications for a new or renewed amateur licenses,
Changes of address
Vanity call sign applications and operations overseas

RIB staff maintain and administer:

The Volunteer Counsel, Volunteer Consulting Engineer and Official Observer Programs,
Answer general regulatory questions as well as those on the FCC preemption of RFI,
The ARRL Equipment Insurance and Club Liability Insurance Plans, antenna restrictions and the ARRL Monitoring System,
Edit The ARRL's FCC Rule Book.

Answers to most of your regulatory concerns can be found on these pages or you may contact us for additional information.

Additonal Resources

The ARRL recommends the following publications on regulatory topics:

Antenna Zoning for the Radio Amateur by Fred Hopengarten
Everything you and your attorney need to know to obtain a permit for your antenna support system.

Contact Us -- ARRL HQ Regulatory Staff

Dan Henderson, N1ND

Tel: 860-594-0236
E-mail: reginfo@arrl.org
Fax: 860-594-0259

Administrator, ARRL Volunteer Counsel and Volunteer Consulting Engineer Programs.

Duties include:

General regulatory questions
RFI regulatory information
Antenna restrictions
International operating

Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG

Tel: 860-594-0239
E-mail: k0bog@arrl.org
Fax: 860-594-0259

Field and Regulatory Correspondent, Coordinator: Amateur Auxiliary to the FCC, Administrator: ARRL Monitoring System

Duties Include:

Handling of matters with an existing or potential enforcement issue
Spectrum management (band sharing, frequency coordination information, etc)
Backup of general regulatory inquiries

Note:

Amateurs occasionally ask for ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, of Washington, DC. Since ARRL is but one of his clients, questions should be directed to ARRL HQ in Newington, Connecticut. Questions requiring a legal opinion can be asked of an ARRL Volunteer Counsel in your area.

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Regulatory & Advocacy