[aprssig] 420-440 MHz (Low End of UHF Band) Under Attack Again

[Stephen H. Smith]

Slashdot.org
<http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/03/10/1931248/King-Wants-To-Sell-Out-Ham-Radio>

ARRL Website
<http://www.arrl.org/hr-607>

 From ARRL Site:

HR 607

On February 10, 2011, Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Chairman of the House Homeland 
Security Committee, introduced H.R. 607, the “Broadband for First Responders 
Act of 2011,” which has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce 
Committee (which handles telecommunications legislation). The bill addresses 
certain spectrum management issues including the creation and maintenance of a 
nationwide Public Safety broadband network.

As part of that network, the Bill provides for the allocation of the so-called 
“D-Block” of spectrum in the 700 MHz range for Public Safety use. HR 607 
uniquely, provides for the reallocation of other spectrum for auction to 
commercial users, in order to offset the loss of revenue that would occur as 
the result of the allocation of the D-Block to Public Safety instead of 
commercial auction. H.R. 607 lists, among the bands to be reallocated for 
commercial auction within ten years of the passage of the Bill, the paired 
bands 420-440 MHz and 450-470 MHz.

The inclusion of most of the Amateur 70-cm spectrum as one of the replacement 
bands is a major problem. The 420-440 MHz band is not Public Safety spectrum 
and should not be included in any spectrum swap of Public Safety allocations.

While the ARRL and all Amateurs support the work of Public Safety and recognize 
their need for dedicated spectrum which would promote interoperability, the 
ARRL vigorously opposes HR 607 in its present form. HR 607 is a direct threat 
to our limited spectrum and the ARRL encourages all amateurs to appropriately 
voice their opposition to this bill.