Legislation Archive

ARRL Launches Nationwide Grassroots Campaign to Pass Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act

ARRL has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign aimed at securing the passage of federal legislation that would grant Amateur Radio Operators the same rights to install antennas on their property as those enjoyed by users of TV antennas, wireless internet, and flagpoles.

The campaign, announced in an ARRL Member Bulletin on September 17, 2025, follows the reintroduction of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act in February 2025 (see ARRL News 02/07/2025). The bipartisan bills—H.R.1094 in the House and S.459 in the Senate—are designed to prevent restrictive homeowners’ association (HOA) rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas, even when such antennas are hidden in trees, placed in attics, mounted on vehicles, or look like flagpoles.

“This legislation is about restoring equal rights to licensed Amateur Radio operators,” said ARRL President Rick Roderick. “These restrictions hinder not only the enjoyment of Amateur Radio, but also its vital role in emergency communication during disasters.”

Public Support Needed for Passage

To advance the legislation, ARRL is calling on its members and all licensees of the US Amateur Radio Service to take action by sending letters to their congressional representatives. Through a dedicated online tool at https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/, hams can easily generate and submit pre-drafted letters with a few clicks.

Go to—https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/---and help us by sending your letters to your Representative and Senators.

ARRL has emphasized that every letter matters. “Your Representative and Senators need to know that the passage of this legislation is important to you.”

Amateur Spectrum Addressed in US House Reconciliation Bill

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® reports that early this morning, May 22, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed a massive Reconciliation bill with the below spectrum provisions relevant to Amateur Radio.

  • Within two years not less than 600 megahertz must be identified from between 1.3 and 10 GHz for reallocation to commercial use for broadband services.
  • The identified spectrum must be auctioned by the FCC for such services on an exclusive, licensed basis as follows: not less than 200 megahertz within three years (mid-2028) and the remaining spectrum (at least 400 megahertz) within six years (mid-2031).
  • Excluded from spectrum that could be reallocated for these purposes is 3.1–3.45 GHz (which includes the temporary secondary Amateur band at 3.300–3.450 GHz) and 5.925–7.125 GHz.

With regard to Amateur spectrum, the bands that potentially could be subject to consideration for reallocation under this legislation are 13 cm (2300–2310 & 2390–2450 MHz) and 5 cm (5650–5925 MHz). At this time a number of bands have been mentioned informally for consideration, none of which include Amateur spectrum. But the bands under consideration could change and ARRL will closely monitor the evolving situation.

Additionally, some government operations may be required to consolidate in current Amateur secondary spectrum that is already shared with those government uses. In select instances this might constrain Amateur operations if such consolidation occurs.

It is to be emphasized that these provisions have been passed by the House, but key US Senators have not agreed to some aspects and have stated their intention to modify these provisions as the bill moves through Senate consideration. The stated goal for final enactment is by July 4, 2025.