Hello Fellow Ohio Hams,

On Tuesday, January 19th, The Public Service and Homeland Security Commitee of the Ohio House of Representatives held a second reading, and listened to proponent testimony for Ohio House Bill 212, better know as Ohio PRB-1.

Section Goverment Liaison Nick Pitner, K8NAP, has provided us with the follow up reorts, published by both the Gongwer and Hannah Reports, which are reports that follow House Bill legislation at the State Capital. Here are the reports of testimony summary:

The Gongwer Report:

HB 212 AMATEUR RADIO ZONING (Stebelton, Okey) To codify federal restrictions on local zoning of amateur station antenna structures thereby preserving amateur radio service communications as a Homeland Security resource and to place the burden of proof for compliance on the zoning authority.

(CONTINUED; 2nd Hearing-Proponent)

Amateur radio operators and organizers lined up to provide proponent testimony to preserve their radio service communications that would prohibit local zoning restrictions on the placement antenna structures.

Frank Piper, section manager for the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), noted that 30,000 operators not only have devoted time and costs of equipment to enjoy their hobby but are also ready to serve the public in the event of failure of the existing communications structure. He added that in the event of such a communications breakdown, radio amateurs can and will take up those duties to ensure emergency messages can be transmitted out of and into the affected disaster area as a wide variety of message handling modes ensures the ability send and receive communications regardless of the operating conditions.

Don Kovalchik, an electrical engineer and licensed amateur operator for nearly 40 years, explained that in order to communicate over a variety of distances, different frequencies and antennas are needed to cover all conditions. He said the laws of physics require effective antennas to engage in amateur radio communication and define many aspects of what those antennas must look like. As a proven method of communication during times of emergency, Mr. Kovalchik said it was his hope that the legislature would recognize, as did the Federal Communications Commission and 27 other states, that amateur radio communications should be protected in the public interest.

Richard Swain, president of the Galion City Council and holder of a ham radio licenses since 1961, said that despite the FCC requiring villages, cities, townships, counties and states to make accommodations for antenna installation, some localities continue to raise barriers.

He said whether this is done out of ignorance or on purpose, most hams cannot afford to take expensive legal action to secure their rights.

Mr. Swain said there are many examples of volunteer service where amateur radio operators have demonstrated their value to communities in the United States and around the world but without the proper equipment and the right to properly erect the necessary antennas, such support may not be available in the future.

Attorney Nick Pittner, who serves as an unpaid volunteer as state government liaison for the ARRL, asked that Ohio join with other states in the recognition of the valuable service provided by Ohio's radio amateurs and the preservation of that service as a resource for the benefit of all Ohioans in times of emergency.

Now, the Hannah Report:

HB212 AMATEUR STATION ANTENNA STRUCTURES (Stebelton G) To codify federal restrictions on local zoning of amateur station antenna structures thereby preserving amateur radio service commutations as a Homeland Security resource.

Licensed amateur (ham) radio operators Frank Piper, Ohio section manager for the American Radio Relay League (ARRL); Steven Katz, of Granville; Richard Swain, president of the Galion City Council; Don Kovalchik, an electrical engineer; Robert Lewis, of Plain City; Nick Pittner, state government liaison for ARRL; Jeff Garvas, trustee with the Lake Erie Amateur Radio Association (LEARA) and past communications director with the Northeast Ohio Medical Reserve Corp (NEOMRC); and Bryan Torok, of Cleveland testified in support of HB212.

Katz said that for almost 100 years the federal government has assigned a large amount of radio spectrum to hams for public service. He attributed the effectiveness of the ham network to not depending on fragile infrastructure and to volunteers who train for emergencies.

Piper described the volunteer work of ARRL and the communications services provided by Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers during a February 2007 severe snowstorm and a August 2008 flood in western and northwestern Ohio, respectively. He also described the National Traffic System (NTS) that maintains an amateur radio communications network in the event of a major communications breakdown.

Lewis described his ham experience relaying vital medical information between hams in New Orleans and New Jersey during the initial parts of the Hurricane Katrina emergency until their communications infrastructure could be restored.

Katz and Kovalchik said it is essential that amateur stations have the ability to erect and maintain efficient, high performance antenna systems to relay information to emergency service agencies from ham operators at the emergency site.

Kovalchik tried to explain the difference between longer wavelength, long range radio waves that bounce off the ionosphere, and shorter wavelength, higher frequency broadcasts used for "line of sight" communications. He said, "Efficient [long range] antenna sizes are generally about half a wavelength long, so antennas for these frequencies range from five meters to 80 meters in length (16 feet to 250 feet)." Short range antennas must still be placed high above the ground (35 to 75 feet or more) to extend their line of sight.

Lewis described his ham radio station which includes a 60-foot-high main antenna, as well as a shorter antenna attached to his chimney and a long ground antenna.

Pitner said federal law mandates that local authorities provide accommodation for antennas for amateur radio use by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). However, he added that the ability of radio amateurs to carry out their mission has been compromised in many states by those charged with local land-use decisions, and challenging those decisions is beyond the means of most ham operators.

Pitner asked the committee to join 27 other states in importing the provisions of the federal regulations, known as PRB-1, into state law.

Garvas and Torok asked that HB212 also include language that exempts amateur radio operators from covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) by residential developers that make it impossible to build structurally sound and safe ham radio towers on their property. Garvas noted that FCC rules already prohibit a CC&R or a homeowners' association from prohibiting the use of an antenna to receive broadcast television or a satellite dish.

------------ End of Reports ----------------

I would like to take this time to Thank each one of our speakers, along with Terri Kovalchick N8TLK, who kept us all well organized for the day. It was great experience, and we were well received by the PS&HS Commitee.

The next step fo r this Bill is to have a third reading, and hear any opponent testimony. Afterwhich we're hoping that this will be voted out of commitee, and move onto the House Floor.

The Senate version of this Bill, SB 218, will be starting it's first reading on February 2nd, with sponsor testimony. More will follow on these Billas as events happen.

73, Frank Piper KI8GW

Ohio Section Manager