ࡱ>   Root EntryZ O2P^[CONTENTS .CompObjVSPELLINGd the very infrastructure was simply gone. On May 5th teams of  Ham radio operators, along with emergency response organizations arrived and began constructing a communication network from the ground up. For almost 100 years, Amateur Radio has provided emergency communications to the public in times of natural and other disasters. All of our time, equipment, and effort during such times are gladly donated by Amateur Radio volunteers. It is completely free. Help us to ensure that this critical method of communications is available when it is most needed. I ask you seriously to consider the Amendment to the MI Zoning Enabling Act for the following reasons: [Insert one or two of your favorite reasons to support HB # 5556. For example:] This Amendment to the MI Zoning Enabling Act is not an attempt to set new legal precedent or give Michigan hams privileges not already supported by FCC regulations. This bill simply assures that Michigan state law reflects the federal rules regarding Amateur Radio Stations. Consequently, any local county, city or other municipal government creating ordinances regarding antenna restrictions, radio frequency power limits or regulating amateur radio stations will be made aware that a federal rule exists. These entities can then use this rule as a guide without specific or additional restrictions being placed upon them. Your leadership is imperative and is respectfully requested on this important issue. To learn more about the Amendment to the MI Zoning Enabling Act through  Hams for Michigan , you may visit the following website: http://www.prb1michigan.org. Please support this commonsense legislation and let me know your opinion on this important issue. Thank you for your time and consideration of this request. With sinCHNKWKS .TEXTTEXTFDPPFDPP FDPCFDPC"FDPCFDPC$FDPCFDPC&FDPCFDPC(STSHSTSH*@STSHSTSH@*SYIDSYID*SGP SGP *INK INK *BTEPPLC *BTECPLC *0FONTFONT,+TOKNPLC +STRSPLC b,HFRAMFRAM,DOP DOP -Sample letter to Your Michigan State Representative: Michigan Amateur Radio Tower Law (PRB-1) (Rewrite this to be your letter) The Honorable [First and Last name of congressman or senator] Michigan State Capitol [House of Representatives or Senate] [Room #] 124 North Capitol P.O. Box 30014 Lansing, MI 48909-7514 Re: House Bill # 5556, the Amendment to the MI Zoning Enabling Act Dear [Representative or Senator Last name]: As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor House Bill # 5556, an Amendment to the MI Zoning Enabling Act. The recent proliferation of cell phone towers has motivated county and municipal governments to become increasingly aggressive in restricting the erection of communication structures. Recognizing this issue, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a ruling in 1985 entitled PRB-1, which states that local authorities must  reasonably accommodate residential amateur radio station installations. Unfortunately, local planners and zoning officials do not typically consider federal rulings and generally focus on state laws. Currently, twenty-seven other states, including Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have addressed this issue by codifying the provisions of PRB-1, (Amateur Radio Preemption, 101 FCC 2d 952), into state statutes. At this time PRB-1 has not been codified into Michigan state statute. Your support for HB # 5556 will address this issue in the State of Michigan, ensuring that in times of need amateur radio operators will be able to communicate effectively. On May 4th 2007 Greensburg, KS was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado, the most severe class of storm. 11 people died, hundreds were left homeless. The survivors had no way to communicate with loved-ones, indeecere appreciation, [Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP] [Phone number] Your endorsement of HB # 5556 will  Help us& Help You e class of storm. 11 people died, hundreds were left homeless. The survivors had no way to communicate with loved-ones, indee df\^  hj<>(*(2"'( (1 Pc  l"LLZZ6$0 08<$0 08."B "PS$0 08."> $0 08."> $0 08."8 $0 08> $0 08." ^bdhNd<$0 08.""< "PS$0 08<$0 08."6$0 08> "PS$0 088 $0 08<$0 08." >6vRRRR\F "PS$0 08."8 $0 08<$0 08."<$0 08."6$0 08<$0 08.""<$0 08."" &(R0,,, "$  08"$ 08<$0 08."6$0 08< "PS$0 08,%TSH Normal (Web)p%TSH$2b  ""   *"," $   *$tt "$&(%ONT8HnTimes New RomanArialArial Unicode MS Arial BlackImpact ; J"@"" ">) http://www.prb1michigan.org.J7 " " " "F""'"*f"wy"` "`""A."@""J"*f"wy"` "`"."T "R2"B^"A"t;"` "`""0e""0e ".""P "P ""P  about the Amendment to the MI Zoning Enabling  Z O2Quill96 Story Group Class9q