ARRL: Executive Order Poses No Threat to Ham Radio

Despite speculation on the internet, President Obama's executive order of July 6 addressing the federal government's national security and emergency preparedness communications needs does not pose a threat to the Amateur Radio Service or to ham radio participation in emergency response. That's the conclusion of the ARRL after closely reading the order, which creates a new Executive Committee on National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications, with representation from eight federal departments and agencies. ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, says nothing in the order directly affects everyday amateur radio operations and says that based on ham radio's "ongoing, positive relationship" with the Department of Homeland Security, it is "hard to envision" any new management plan that would exclude amateur radio.