ARRL Board of Directors Acts on Backg=
round
Checks, Digital Issues at July 2007 Board Meeting
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The AR=
RL Board
of Directors took action on two pressing matters -- background checks and
emerging digital technologies -- at its second meeting of =
2007,
held July 20-21 in Bac=
kground
Checks A major
concern at this Board meeting was the topic of served agencies and backgr=
ound
investigations. The Ad Hoc Background Investigation Committee agreed that
pursuing federally recognized credentialing for Amateur Radio volunteers =
was
critical for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) to
function. The Committee chairman, ARRL Atlantic Division Director Bill Ed=
gar,
N3LLR, proposed that the Board adopt a policy with regard to Memoranda=
of
Understanding with the various served agencies. The Bo=
ard
adopted a policy that "communications volunteers participating in
ARRL-sponsored programs should not be required by served agencies to unde=
rgo
background investigations of any kind," but notes that criminal
background checks -- performed by law enforcement agencies -- are "g=
enerally
acceptable." The policy continues, "It is not reasonable for a
served agency to require these volunteers to consent to credit checks, mo=
de
of living investigations or investigative consumer reports. In negotiatin=
g or
renegotiating Memoranda of Understanding that =
commit
the League to provide volunteer emergency communications support, the Lea=
gue
must be assured that these volunteers will not be required by the partner
organization to consent to credit checks, mode of living investigations or
investigative consumer reports." Dig=
ital
Technologies Digital
communication was another topic up for discussion at the Board meeting. O=
ne
question was the extent to which D-ST=
AR
systems fall within the FCC definition of "repeater." Some repe=
ater
coordinators do not consider D-STAR to be a repeater. The Bo=
ard also
thanked existing VHF/UHF frequency coordination groups for their efforts
"to promote orderly use of amateur frequencies." The Board requ=
ested
that such groups "extend their efforts to coordinate digital systems
such as D-STAR" and consider the bandwidths actually required for
successful operation. In a r=
elated
action, the Board thanked those involved in digital networks that serve A=
RES
and specifically the Winlink 2000 development=
team
for creating a system facilitating Amateur Radio's ability to serve socie=
ty's
emergency communication needs. The League affirmed its desire to work with
developers of digital systems including Winlink
2000 to improve efficiency, address control issues and enhance compatibil=
ity
with other users of the Amateur Radio bands. Leg=
islative
Matters John <=
span
class=3DSpellE>Chwat and Janet Worthington, KB3PDS, of Chwat & Company, ARRL's
Washington, DC legislative consultant, presented the Legislative Relations
report. In this session of Congress, the firm hired The re=
port
also discussed the status of two bills pending in the US Congress, HR
462 and S1629. In Jan=
uary,
Rep Mike Ross, WD5DVR (D-Arkansas), introduced HR 462, the "Emergency
Amateur Radio Interference Protection Act of 2007." It calls on the =
FCC
to study the interference potential of BPL technology and report its find=
ings
back to Congress. It has been referred to the Subcommittee on
Telecommunications and the Internet. In Jun=
e,
Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas) introduced S1629, "The Emergency Ama=
teur
Radio Interference Protection Act of 2007." This bill is currently
pending in the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The Bo=
ard also
voted to support HR
2743, "The Military Affiliate Radio System Emergency Communicati=
ons
Act of 2007." This bill would permit the continued use of the MARS a=
nd
SHARES programs of frequency-stabilized Amateur Radio equipment that meets
FCC Part 97 technical standards. Otherwise, volunteers in these programs
might be prevented from using their regular station equipment. Com=
mittee
Reports Recogn=
izing
the significance of recent FCC actions that included the removal of the M=
orse
code testing requirement, the Board set a goal of attaining 30,000 new
licensees in 2008, increasing in the following years. With approximately =
6000
licensees disappearing from the ranks of amateurs each year through attri=
tion
and non-renewal, the Board recognized the importance of striving to create
real growth in the Service. The new licensing regime, along with the appr=
oaching
increase in sunspots, can provide the motivation and inspiration for all =
hams
to use to increase the numbers of licensees as well as the interest level=
of
all. The Bo=
ard
decided to ask the Programs and Services Committee to evaluate how the Se=
ction
Field Organization is governed. In doing so, the Board will request progr=
ess
reports from the Committee regarding this study, with final results repor=
ted
to the Board no later than the July 2008 Board meeting. The Ru=
les and
Regulations concerning the League's elections were clarified and amended =
with
regard to "mass communication" of campaign material during
Director, Vice Director and Section Manager elections. The Board prohibit=
ed
"communications by mail, electronic distribution, posting to a Web s=
ite,
e-mail, hand delivery or any other means of distribution to League member=
s in
the particular Division or Section" involved in an election at League
expense during the campaign period if the material might reasonably be
expected to affect the outcome of the election. Clo=
sing
Remarks At the=
close
of the meeting, President Harrison noted that Director Frank Butler, W4RH,
after 50 years of elected service to the ARRL (starting out as Western
Florida Section Communications Manager in 1957), was not standing for
re-election this October. Everyone present gave him a standing ovation in
appreciation of his long service. The ne=
xt
meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors is scheduled for |
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