(10 March 2010) Senate Bill 1755 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 introduced in October 2009 by Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) -- has unanimously passed the US Senate and has been sent to the US House of Representatives for consideration and now sits in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The ARRL is asking its membership to contact the leadership of the Energy and Commerce committee, requesting support and action on moving S 1755 through the committee. S 1755 accomplishes the same things as HR 2160; HR 2160 was introduced in April 2009 by Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18). Since S 1755 has already been approved by the Senate, moving it forward in the House will simplify the process.

S 1755 points out that "[t]here is a strong Federal interest in the effective performance of Amateur Radio Service stations, and that performance must be given -- (A) support at all levels of government; and (B) protection against unreasonable regulation and impediments to the provision of the valuable communications provided by such stations."

If enacted into law, S 1755 would instruct the Secretary of Homeland Security ( DHS) to undertake a study -- and report its findings to Congress within 180 days -- on the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief.

The study shall:

* Include recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts.
* Include recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and in furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives.
* Identify unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications, such as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations, and make recommendations regarding such impediments.
* Include an evaluation of Section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996)).
* Recommend whether Section 207 should be modified to prevent unreasonable private land use restrictions that impair the ability of amateurs to conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency communications by means of effective outdoor antennas and support structures at reasonable heights and dimensions for the purpose, in residential areas. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of stakeholder entities and organizations, including Amateur Radio, emergency response and disaster communications.

Please contact Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA-30) and Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX-6), urging them to send this bipartisan bill to the House floor for adoption. A sample letter can be found here. Send your letters urging consideration of S 1755 by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to Rep Waxman via fax at 202-225-2525, and to Rep Barton via fax at 202-225-1919. Also, please fax a copy of your letters to the ARRL's Washington representative, Chwat & Co at 703-684-7594.

For more information on S 1755, please visit the ARRL Government Relations Web page .

(08 March 2010) The Delta Division recommendations to the ARRL ECAC are being formulated. Input from Louisiana Section members is requested. You can find a revised version of our recommendations here. Please email me if you have questions or changes. This should be done quickly as we are preparing to present these recommendations to the League soon.
73 Jim Coleman, AI5B
ai5b -at- arrl.net

(04 Mar 2010) The International Amateur Radio Region 2 (IARU R2)conference -- held later this year in El Salvador -- brings together delegations from the national Amateur Radio Societies in the Western Hemisphere. One of the topics on the agenda will be the Region 2 HF band plan. This band plan is "harmonized with" -- spectrum management-speak for "very similar to" -- the IARU Region 1 and Region 3 band plans.

According to ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, many hams in the USA probably did not know there was such as thing as a Region 2 band plan until recently. Now, however, many more American hams have heard of it, but may not know how -- if at all -- this band plan affects them. Here are important facts for American hams to keep in mind:

* IARU band plans are voluntary guidelines. They do not have the force of FCC regulations.
* It would be inappropriate to incorporate Region 2 band plans into the FCC rules, and the ARRL has no plan to petition the FCC to do so.
* Most other countries do not have the detailed sub-band regulations that are in Part 97 of the FCC Rules; for amateurs in those countries, IARU band plans offer the only guidance on frequency use.
* The recognition of a calling frequency or band segment for a particular purpose or mode in the IARU band plan does not convey any special rights or exclusivity of use.

A new, more transparent procedure will be followed this year for considering possible changes to the Region 2 band plan. The ARRL is cooperating with this procedure by inviting input to be sent to the ARRL Board of Directors' Band Planning Committee. The committee will review the existing Region 2 band plan, consider input from the amateur community and make recommendations to the ARRL Board for submission to IARU Region 2.

The inadvertent omission of the AM center of activity frequency (calling frequency) -- 3.885 MHz on 80 meters -- has already been noted, and this will be one of the recommended revisions.

The deadline line set by Region 2 for gathering input and formulating recommendations is rather short. Amateurs who would like to submit input should take the following steps:

* First, study the existing IARU Region 2 band plan posted on the Region 2 Web site. The Region 1 and Region 3 band plans are also posted there, so be sure you are looking at the band plan for Region 2.
* Next, formulate a clear statement of any change you propose. Include a brief explanation of why you think the change would be beneficial. Please include your name and call sign in your input.
* Finally, send your input via e-mail no later than April 5, 2010. Messages will be automatically acknowledged.

If you live in another country in Region 2, please contact your national Amateur Radio Society for information on how to submit input for the band plan process.

(04 Mar 2010) In February 2010, the American Hospital Association (AHA) filed a request with the FCC for a blanket waiver of Section 97.113(a)(3) of the Commission's Rules "to permit hospitals seeking accreditation to use Amateur Radio operators who are hospital employees to transmit communications on behalf of the hospital as part of emergency preparedness drills." On March 3, the FCC issued a Public Notice  -- WP Docket 10-54 -- seeking comments if the Commission "should grant AHA's request for a blanket waiver of Section 97.113(a)(3) to permit amateur operators who are hospital employees to participate in emergency drills that are conducted by hospitals for accreditation purposes and that are not government-sponsored". Section 97.113(a)(3) specifically prohibits amateur stations from transmitting communications "in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer".

Given the public interest in facilitating government-sponsored emergency preparedness and disaster drills, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau have provided a process for requesting a waiver of Section 97.113(a)(3) to permit named Amateur Radio operators to participate in specified government-sponsored drills by transmitting messages on behalf of identified employers. The waiver must be requested prior to the drill, and employees may not transmit amateur communications on their employer's behalf unless the waiver request has been granted by the FCC.

According to AHA, waiver relief should be available for these non-government-sponsored exercises "because it is in the public interest to ensure that hospital communications operate effectively during emergencies". The FCC noted that in its blanket waiver request, the AHA also stated that requiring separate waiver requests would be administratively burdensome on hospitals and the Commission. "AHA thus requests a blanket waiver for hospitals seeking Joint Commission accreditation, until such time as the Commission adopts a final order in response to a forthcoming Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that will seek comment on potential changes to Section 97.113(a)(3)," the FCC said.

"AHA states that hospitals seeking accreditation from the Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) must prepare an emergency operations plan setting forth how the hospital will communicate during emergencies, and establish back-up communications links (which, among other means of communications, may include amateur radio stations) to communicate essential information if primary communications systems fail," the FCC pointed out in its Public Notice. " AHA states that hospitals seeking accreditation also are required to test their emergency operations plans twice annually".

As such, the FCC has opened up the matter for public comment. Not only are comments in favor of or against the issue of amateur operators -- who are hospital employees -- to participate in emergency drills conducted by hospitals for accreditation purposes that are not government-sponsored welcomed, the Commission is also seeking comments addressing "whether, if blanket relief were to be granted, there would be some benefit from requiring hospitals to provide notice to the Commission concerning emergency drills they perform, and what such notice should entail."

Comments are due by Friday, April 2; reply comments are due no later than Monday, April 19. All filings should reference the docket number of this proceeding, WP Docket No 10-54. In the Public Notice, the FCC noted that this proceeding has been designated as a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules: "Parties making oral ex parte presentations in this proceeding are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain the presentation's substance and not merely list the subjects discussed. More than a one- or two-sentence description of the views and arguments presented is generally required." Instructions on how to paper file or file electronically are listed in the Public Notice.

Gary Stratton Sr., K5GLS Louisiana Section Manager

UPCOMING EVENTS - (See the "Events" link on this page for more detail)

March 12-13 - Louisiana State Convention - Acadiana Amateur Radio Association  -Rayne, LA
January 16 - Southeast LA Amateur Radio Club - Hammond, LA
March 12-13 - Louisiana State Convention - Acadiana Amateur Radio Association - Rayne, LA
April 24 - Louisiana Section Convention - Twin City Ham Club - Monroe, LA
May 1 - Amateur Radio Club of Shreveport - Benton, LA
May 8 - Piney Hills Amateur Radio Association - Ruston, LA
June 5 - Amateur Radio Club of Sabine - Many, LA
July 17 - Ozone Amateur Radio Club - Slidell, LA
Sep 25 - Jefferson ARC, Delta DX Assn., New Orleans ARC - Harahan, LA
Oct 9 - Amateur Radio Club of Central Louisiana - Pineville, LA
Jan 8 2011 - Delta Division Convention, Southeast Louisiana Amateur Radio Club  - Hammond, LA

SECTION APPOINTMENTS:
   Carlos Ingram KB5YEG - Section Traffic Manager and Louisiana Traffic Net Manager;,
   Charles Standlee AC5PW -- Official Observer (pending certification);
   James Howard K5TC -- Official Observer (pending certification);
   Paul Coats AE5JU -- Technical Specialist.

SECTION TRAFFIC REPORTS: Carlos Ingram, KB5YEG Section Traffic Manager

PSHR Report
CALL SIGN	TOTALS		TRAFFIC
K5MC	80		29
N5NVP	94		23
WC5M	58		8
W5HUD	0		0
N5MEL	0		0
K5KV	110		131
WA4ERU	18		4
KE5PWL	74		34
KB5SDU	60		0
LCW/LTN/LSN Statistics
NET	SESSIONS	QNI	QTC	QTR
LTN	31	684	31	344
LCW	62	315	58	318
LSN	8	41	1	80

SECTION ARES STATISTICS:
    ARES MEMBERS 487,
    DRILLS/TRAINING 35 MH 103,
    PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS 0 MH 0,
    EMERGENCY OPERATIONS 6 MH 84,
    TOTAL OPERATIONS 41 MH 187,
    ARES NET SESSIONS 61 CHECKINS 616

EC REPORTS RECEIVED: Allen, Avoyelles, Bienville, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne,Concordia, Desoto, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jefferson, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines,Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Sabine, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, Vermillion,Vernon and Washington.

OTHER REPORTS RECEIVED: Virginia Bryant KE5DJA PIO.

From Jim N5NVP: At the end of December the Louisiana Section had 35 Active Affiliated Clubs and 9 of those were Active Affiliated Special Service Clubs (SSCs). There are 23 Inactive Affiliated Clubs. [See link on this site for the complete list of Affiliated Clubs]

SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER Carlos Ingram KB5YEG of Rayville has volunteered for appointments as Louisiana Section Traffic Manager (STM) and Louisiana Traffic Net Manager. Thanks to Carlos for taking on this work for the Section.

OTHER NEWS: If you wish to have noteworthy information about club activities, individual achievements, etc. included in the Section Summary please send them to k5gls@arrl.org.

NEW BRARC OFFICERS FOR 2010:
President - Ed Laughery, N5XN;
Vice President - Wayne Gordon, K5DF;
Secretary - Russ Allor, N5ADF;
Treasurer - Ken Shutt, W5KQ;
Board Members:
Jerry Hunt, W5AJD
Buddy Brown, N5BUD
Dick Burroughs, N5KIP and
Marvin Owen, N5HE

NEW JARC OFFICERS FOR 2010
President - Keith Barnes, W5KB;
Vice President - Dave Kleinatland, KE5BMS;
Secretary - Don Olson, WA5W;
Treasurer - Mary Vernoy, WB5IOE;
Board Members:
2 year - Dick Dannenberg, W5RMX Rafael Shabetai, W5BAI and Michael Villarrubia, AE5MW
1 year - Josh Meyer, KD5PCR Jim Davis, KB5MFP and Robert McBride, AE5RN

NEW AARA OFFICERS for 2010
President - Irma Bookter, KE5UPK;
Vice President - Archie Hill Jr., W5AG;
Secretary - Paul Scallan Sr., K5VSH;
Treasurer - Joy Breaux, N5YCS;
Board Members:
John Conniff, W4JHC
Nick Romero, KE5MWX and
Calvin Begnaud, KD5JCT

NEW SWLARC OFFICERS for 2010
President - Ken Talkington, AE5LB;
Vice President - Logan Hereford, W5LLH;
Secretary - George Hollier, WA5FTW;
Treasurer - John Bailey, KE5UKI

DELTA DIVISION DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Congratulations to Louisiana Assistant Section Manager Alan Levine WA5LQZ and Ron Brown AB5WF of the Mississippi Section. The two were awarded the Delta Division Distinguished Service award at the Delta Division Convention in Jackson, MS.

LOUISIANA SECTION WEBSITE Check the website www.laarrl.org for a survey on 97.113. Cast your vote based upon your opinion.

WINMOR Have you wanted to get on the air with WINLINK, but didn't want to spend big $ for an SCS modem? A new soundcard software package called WINMOR is now available. Chuck Standlee AC5PW, Rick Westerfield KH2DF and Ken Standard AD5XJ have been working with it with great success. Speeds upward to Pactor-II. You might want to give it a look!

SILENT KEYS:
I sadly report the following reported Section Silent Keys:
Mike King, W5PY;
Michael R. Flanagan, KE5AWZ;
Floyd D. Howard, W5KUZ;
Larry Lemoine, W5LJL;
Robbie Deville, KD5CN;
James W. Hale, KC5BNI

Section News last updated: Sun, February 14, 2010 at 6:12 PM ET