Ham Radio Now podcasts are the audio from our television programs (on YouTube.com/HamRadioNow). The shows are all about the hobby/service of Amateur Radio, but there are several types of shows all mixed up among the episodes. Some are talk shows, some are seminars and forums, and there's a mini-documentary now and then. The talk shows make the best audio listening, but you'll get something from almost all of them. We'll rate the "radio" quality in the show descriptions.
http://hamradionow.tv
HRN 245 All Parity, All the Time
On Thursday, February 11, the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology voted to forward HR 1301, the Amateur Radio Parity Act, up to the full Energy and Commerce Committee "as written." But there's a catch. A homeowner's association had requested amendments, and had the ear of at least one subcommittee member. So while there wasn't time to negotiate the counter proposal, the bill was voted out of the subcommittee with the understanding that the negotiation would take place before the bill was brought up at the full committee.
In this program - a good 'radio' show, though it's interesting to see all the players in video from Congress - we'll play all of the subcommittee comments and testimony from a January hearing, and this February 'markup' session (aka 'Vote').
But what about those amendments? Turns out the homeowners group - CAI, Community Association Institute - filed a letter with the subcommittee at the hearing back on January 12 outlining 7 amendments they'd like to see. Some pretty reasonable, and one or two pushing a little too far (room for negotiation?). Gary reviews all 7.
Then a look at ARRL objections to HRN 241: Parity in Missouri. The League doesn't want guest Larry Scantlan KEØKZ saying, or implying, that the League 'endorses' the effort to pass a state version of the Parity Act in Missouri. They're happy to assist, but 'endorsement' is a technical term they say does not apply. And they ask HamRadioNow to edit out any statements making that claim. Turns out there weren't any (save for one casual "sanctions"), but we double-check to be sure.
Finally, Gary gets fan mail.