On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, the ARRL filed comments in response to the FCC’s Public Notice seeking comments on Emergency Communications by Amateur Radio and impediments to Amateur Radio communications. Known as Docket 12-91, the Commission is soliciting comments from the public as it writes the report they were directed to present to Congress as part of Public Law No. 112-96.

At the direction of ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, and the ARRL Board’s Executive Committee, the document was drafted by ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, assisted by ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, as well as ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX and several ARRL Headquarters staff members.

Over 1500 e-mails were received at ARRL from amateurs, sharing the details of their various deed restrictions. An additional 350-plus e-mails were also received detailing actual Emergency Communications participation in various events from almost every state in the US as well as several US territories.

“The information provided to the ARRL by its members has provided a strong statement of how the various deed restrictions have negatively impacted the ability of Amateur Radio licensees to maximize their participation in disaster and emergency support communications,” said Henderson. “The information provided by the membership not only helps us make the best case to the FCC in this docket, but also begins to lay a good foundation for considering possible rule changes that would enhance Amateur Radio communications beyond this proceeding. I want to thank the hundreds of concerned amateurs who made the effort to provide the ARRL with the facts of their personal set of circumstances. What you shared with us has helped us make a strong argument to present to the Commission,” he added.

A copy of the ARRL’s filing to the FCC may be found on the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System website.