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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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12/02/2023 | ARRL Advocacy Win: FCC Approves Request for Pearl Harbor Day Crossband Operations
The Battleship Iowa Amateur Radio Association (BIARA), with authority from the US Navy and Southwest Marine Corps Spectrum Office, will honor the sailors and ships previously homeported in San Pedro, California, who were attacked on December 7, 1941. Learn More
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11/13/2023 | ARRL Hails FCC Action to Remove Symbol Rate Restrictions
ARRL reports that earlier today, the FCC Commissioners individually voted to amend the Amateur Radio Service rules to replace the baud rate limit on the Amateur HF bands with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit to permit greater flexibility in data communications. Learn More
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10/30/2023 | Deadline Extended to November 28, 2023 for 60-Meter Comments
The deadline to file comments on the 60-meter band proposal has been extended by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to November 28, 2023. Replies to comments will be due December 28, 2023. Learn More
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10/27/2023 | FCC To Vote on Removing Symbol Rate Restrictions
In the draft Commission decision, the FCC would replace the current HF restrictions with a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit. The Commission also announced that it will consider a Further Notice in which it will propose eliminating similar restrictions. 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
Bart Jahnke, W9JJ
Tel: 860-594-0272
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.