A raft of regulatory-related items will confront the ARRL Executive Committee when it meets Saturday, October 4, in Memphis, Tennessee. On the list are several ongoing FCC proceedings that affect Amateur Radio, as well as international and organizational matters. Among other topics, the EC will mull strategies to improve the FCC’s Amateur Radio enforcement program, consider the FCC regulatory fee structure for vanity call signs going forward, and review the status of various petitions that could hinder or limit Amateur Radio access to various portions of the UHF and microwave spectrum. Committee members also will discuss the status of preparations leading up to World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 and will review a proposal to license FEMA stations with distinctive call signs, similar to Military Recreation or club stations.

Also up for discussion will be the status of the ARRL’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014 (H.R. 4969), which would call on the FCC to apply the “reasonable accommodation” three-part test of the PRB-1 federal pre-emption policy to private land-use restrictions regarding antennas — deed covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). Further, the EC will consider revisions to its 2009 Mobile Amateur Radio Operation Policy Statement as well as state legislative issues that might affect Amateur Radio mobile operation, such as statutes regulating cell phone use and texting while driving.

Among important Amateur Radio proceedings still awaiting FCC action that will come up for discussion are the League’s Petition for Rule Making seeking a new allocation at 472-479 kHz and its petition to replace symbol rate limits on data emissions below 28.3 MHz with a 2.8 kHz maximum occupied bandwidth.

The EC will consider a request for support from proponents of keeping open the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Gakona, Alaska.

The EC will also approve convention and club affiliation requests and recognize new ARRL Life Members.