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ARRL Regulatory & Advocacy
Amateur Radio is subject to regulation at the international and national levels with regard to telecommunications and at the state and local levels with respect to land use regulations. ARRL advocates on behalf of Amateur Radio at all of these levels.
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05/15/2013 | FCC Fines Pennsylvania Man $18,000 for Failing to Allow Inspection of CB Station
The FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order (NAL) on May 14 in the amount of $18,000 to Nathaniel Johnson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for failing to make his Citizens Band (CB) station available for inspection by the FCC and for Learn More
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05/09/2013 | FCC and GAO Release Recommendations on Receiver Performance; Comments Invited
In early 2012, the FCC’s Technological Advisory Council (TAC) was tasked to study the role of receivers “in ensuring the efficient use of spectrum and to provide recommendations on avoiding obstacles posed by receiver performance to making spectrum availa Learn More
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05/02/2013 | President Obama Nominates Financier and Former Telecom Executive Tom Wheeler as FCC Chairman
On Wednesday, May 1, President Barack Obama announced that he has nominated Tom Wheeler to be the new Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. If the Senate confirms the nomination, Wheeler will replace Julius Genachowski who announced his resig Learn More
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04/24/2013 | Florida Man Cited for Causing Harmful Interference to Radio Amateurs
The FCC has issued a Citation and Order to Ruben D. Lopez Jr of Pomona Park, Florida. The Citation, issued April 23, is in response to several complaints about a well pump at Lopez’s residence that was acting as an incidental radiator and causing harmful Learn More
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Legislative Activities
ARRL informs lawmakers about the contributions and needs of the Amateur Radio service. Learn More
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Regulatory Agencies
ARRL interacts with the FCC and other federal agencies involved in telecommunications policies. Learn More
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State Advocacy
The ARRL volunteer Field Organization includes State Government Liaisons (SGL) who monitor state legislation. Learn More
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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.




