S. 459/H.R. 1094 Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, legislation recently introduced in at the federal level by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representative August Pfulger (R-TX-11), would prohibit associations nationwide from restricting the installation of HAM radio towers. Amateur radio, sometimes known as HAM radio, is a hobby pursued by approximately 700,000 individuals nationwide, and communities should be allowed to decide for themselves how to regulate this activity. More than 77.1 million people live in condominiums, homeowners associations, and housing cooperatives nationwide, governed by private contracts, and are overwhelmingly satisfied in their communities. S. 459/H.R. 1094 would usurp these contracts in favor of a nationwide mandate from Washington, D.C. 

HAM radio operators typically engage in radio broadcasts for recreational purposes. However, when an emergency arises, HAM radio operators working with their communities are often part of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This cooperative effort works with the existing law and doesn’t need to change to support community disaster response.

Recognizing the importance of neighborhood control over neighborhood issues, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which licenses HAM radio operators, has struck down local ordinances that do not allow reasonable accommodation for the installation of HAM radio antennas and rejected attempts to overturn covenants governing community associations.

Community associations work best when residents come together to establish and enforce reasonable rules and policies to govern their communities. Please help CAI OPPOSE this effort by Congress to infringe on your community’s governing authority!