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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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04/20/2021 | FCC Issues Enforcement Advisory: Radio Users Again Reminded Not to Use Radios in Crimes
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau issued an Advisory, reiterating admonishments contained in a January Advisory that no licensee or user of the Amateur or Personal Radio Services may use any radio equipment in connection with unlawful activities. Learn More
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04/12/2021 | Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on May 3
he FCC has announced that rule changes detailed in a lengthy 2019 Report and Order governing RF exposure standards go into effect on May 3, 2021. Learn More
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03/23/2021 | Cooperative Effort Under Way to Resolve Potential 70-Centimeter Interference Issue
ARRL, the FCC, and the US Department of Defense are cooperating in an effort to eliminate the possibility of amateur radio interference on 70 centimeters to critical systems at White Sands Missile Range. Learn More
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03/22/2021 | Amateur Radio Gets a Partial Reprieve on 3.5 GHz
Pending future FCC action, amateur radio secondary use of the 3.3 – 3.45 GHz band segment may continue indefinitely. Learn More
Advocacy: "Science & Skill in Service" Report
ARRL's 2015 report on how Amateur Radio has benefitted the United States through public service, disaster response, and partnering with other served agencies. Targeted to legislators at all levels of government.
Click here for the PDF.
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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 Volunteer Monitor 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
- Volunteer Monitor Program
- RFI regulatory information
- Antenna restrictions
- International operating
Steve Ewald, WV1X
Tel: 860-594-0265
E-mail: wv1x@arrl.org
Field Services.
- Backup of general regulatory inquiries
Note:
Amateurs occasionally ask for ARRL General Counsel to assist with a problem or question. Please note that ARRL's counsels are not employees of the ARRL but are retained to provide services to the ARRL Board and are not available to provide legal advice to ARRL members. Questions requiring a legal opinion can be asked of an ARRL Volunteer Counsel in your area.