Monday, May 1, 2017

Optimism About FCC Enforcement


FCC Chairman Ajit Pai (FCC photo)
ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, told the League's Executive Committee in March that he feels the FCC may provide more effective enforcement on the ham bands in the future. Imlay said the Commission's new chairman, Ajit Pai, is very interested in improved enforcement and that Michael Carowitz, the new Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, is said to be "amateur friendly." According to the ARRL Letter,  Imlay told the committee he "foresees a potential window of opportunity for improved spectrum enforcement work, as well as the opportunity to build a stronger working relationship with the FCC on all issues."

In a related matter, the Letter reports that the ARRL has begun working on final language of a revised memorandum of understanding with the FCC on its Amateur Auxiliary program, which incorporates the ARRL's Official Observer program. A board committee is in the process of developing recommendations for the full board on revamping and revitalizing the OO/AA program.