ARRL

Regulatory & Advocacy

05/21/2013 | FCC Now Down to Three Commissioners

With the departure of Chairman Julius Genachowski and Commissioner Robert McDowell this past weekend, the FCC now only has three of its full complement of five Commissioners. Learn More
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
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
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

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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