ARRL

Regulatory & Advocacy

04/09/2019 | AMSAT Comments in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proceeding

AMSAT has told the FCC that several proposed rule changes related to the mitigation of orbital debris would have an extremely detrimental effect on both the Amateur Satellite Service and AMSAT’s ability to launch and operate new satellites, including A... Learn More
04/02/2019 | Petition for Rule Making Calls for “Amateur Digital Mode Transparency”

The FCC is accepting comments on a Petition for Rule Making (RM-11831) seeking to amend FCC Part 97 rules that require all ham radio digital transmissions to use techniques “whose technical characteristics have been documented publicly.” Learn More
04/01/2019 | Additional Amateur Radio-Related Petitions Now Open for Comment

The FCC has placed three Amateur Radio-related Petitions for Rule Making (PRMs) on public notice and has invited comments. Learn More
03/20/2019 | FCC Adopts New Rules for Spectrum above 95 GHz in Branded “Spectrum Horizons” Initiative

The FCC has adopted new rules to encourage development of new communication technologies and expedite the deployment of new services above 95 GHz. 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

Steve Ewald, WV1X

Tel: 860-594-0265
E-mail: wv1x@arrl.org

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