Amateur Radio Parity Act Moves Forward

A bill intended to guarantee operating rights to hams living in antenna-restricted communities was reported out of committee in the House of Representatives in mid-July for a vote by the full House. The bill, H.R. 1301 – also known as the Amateur Radio Parity Act – was first amended to replace a requirement for "reasonable accommodation" of amateur antennas with language guaranteeing amateurs the right to use "an effective outdoor antenna." 

The amended language is the result of lengthy negotiations between the ARRL and the Community Associations Institute, which represents homeowners' associations, along with key members of Congress. According to the ARRL Letter, Communications and Technology subcommittee chairman Rep. Greg Walden, W7EQI, called the revised bill "a good balance" between the needs of amateurs and homeowners' associations.