Welcome to the WJ3RI Ham Shack, Murray, UT
Thanks so much for stopping by...
How I serve you...
The State Government Liaison (SGL) is an Amateur Radio operator who is cognizant of state legislative and regulatory proposals in the normal course of events and who can monitor and respond appropriately to those proposals having the potential to affect Amateur Radio. This is an active, responsive mission, not merely a passive, "stand by the sidelines and watch" function. ~ ARRL SGL Website
As your appointed SGL for Utah, I am here to coordinate the Utah Section's efforts to ensure the ability of the Amateur Radio Service to maintain and expand our benefit to the public. Currently, the ARRL is focused on two key elements of public policy:
- adequate access to the radio spectrum, and
- the ability to install and operate effective Amateur Radio stations.
The first item is generally a federal issue that requires ARRL to lobby before the US Congress and the FCC.
The second item largely falls to ourselves as local Amateur Radio operators, ... ARRL officials and staff can and do provide some assistance, but state and local issues must be addressed in our city halls and the state capital ... All too often, our ability to install and operate effective Amateur Radio stations can be adversely affected by state and local government. State and Local government is where you, and I, can have the greatest impact. Please join with me ... together with Utah's many Amateur Radio operators ... we can protect and enhance our hobby; all while increasing our profile and service with the citizens of Utah.
How you make a difference:
- Reach out and make some contacts
- Whether you know it or not ... you already know people: We all have friends, family neighbors, and acquaintances. Most Americans have daily contact with their state and local government through public services and our neighbors who work jobs in the public sector ... Police, Fire, Schools, Libraries, Business and Occupational Licenses, etc.... Take a moment to consider who you know ... these are the people who can help you when something in the news or community comes up.
- Make sure you know who is representing you as your State Legislator and State Senator. If you don't know, find out at https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp
- Find your county and municipal representatives, by contacting your local County Clerk's office
- Get to know your elected representatives, personally: Your state and local elected officials are your neighbors ...take time to meet them and interact with them as individuals. One of the best ways to make a meaningful and lasting impact with elected officials is to simply interact with them as neighbors and friends ... do this long before you want or need to persuade thier "vote" on your point of view. By their very nature, elected officials and candidates for office want and need to build meaningful relationships with their neighbors ... It is a friends and neighbors, that we have the best ability to inform, and (as necessary) persuade individual elected officials.
- Reach out to me as your Utah ARRL State Government Liaison.
- Be active in local HAM Radio clubs and informational nets ... This is how you will be able to keep yourself informed about issues that might affect you and Amateur Radio in Utah.
- If you are not already a member, join ARRL ... Its not just a magazine, it is your organization, which is looking out for Amateur Radio.
Current issues in the Utah Section:
The Utah Section continuously monitors for any potential legislation that would threaten the interests of Utah's many Amateur Radio operators. Resolved concerns include:
- Potential threat from "Distracted Driving" or "cellular telephone / electronic device" legislation that would impede an
Amateur's ability to utilize their privileges while operating mobile. The ARRL opposes distracted driving legislation
that does not clearly define the class of devices included in the regulation so as to exclude two-way mobile radio transmitters
or receivers used by the licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service.
Together ARRL members were able to have lnguage inserted in the Utah Code that protects mobile radio form regulation under Utah's distracted driving law. Not only did we protect Part 97 (HAM), but also protected users in the Part 90 (Commercial) and in Part 95 (CB and other personal radio)
Current concerns include:
- Possible state action to extend PRB-1 type protections for Utah's Amateur Radio operators residing in communities that have restrictive covenants and deed-restrictions and prevent onerous local tower and zoning ordinances.
- Confusion by police officers over some Amateur Radio license plates containing the letter I and O