The American Radio ALLIANCE Group has released all documents connected with their three year investigation of how Amateur Radio Service (ARS) has been damaged by Federal deregulation activity. These reports were released to all major parties in the government, the ARRL Executives and directors of the International Amateur Radio Union (Europe).

Deregulation began in the 1970s when the FCC stopped giving examinations, turning that task over to the Volunteer Examination System (VES) operated by Hams themselves with ARRL follow-up. It became evident that many VE examiners were merely "signing-up" applicants rather than applying the system honestly. This began a flood of newcomers who were not only unprepared to be Hams but were also unfit technically. The hobby/service soon changed into a Sport much the same as motorcycle clubs, boating and the like. Listen to a typical  discussion on the Ham bands today and it sounds like what you would hear at your neighborhood bar! A disease called "democratization" was destroying the AES and nobody seemed to care about the Integrity and Value of Amateur Radio!

In 1984, following changes in the Communications Act, the FCC was permitted to stop policing the amateur bands. FCC turned the responsibility for handling such problems over to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). The League never reorganized its Official Observer corps to assume these new responsibilities properly and Amateur Radio soon became a "basket case". It is a well-known fact in Washington that "Volunteerism" has its limits and inherent weaknesses.

Of course ARRL's QST magazine circulation increased considerably due to the increase in the number of licensed Hams. The League's membership is less than 15% of the total number of U.S. licensed Hams which hardly qualifies it to represent the U.S. Amateur Radio operators. However, it has represented us as a lobby group in Washington for many years. They have mainly represented the Elitist DX operator's DXing interests while neglecting many other Subgroups and Modes within the service. It's leaders are Elitists who mainly produce a monthly magazine for profit!

In 1990, a small group of amateurs decided to conduct a study of actual conditions on the 20 Meter Band, in an effort to collect data and facts regarding malicious jamming and many other incidents involving violations of FCC regulations.  A major Study Report of 52 pages was developed from this data that covered ten hours a day over a thirty month period. Such an effort involved manpower hours that a professional firm would have charged at least $250,000. The groups out-of-pocket expenses were $6,000, actually paid by the author of this article and Website.

Six recommendations were developed from this ambitious Study. If you have an interest in the Amateur Radio Service and you have been concerned about its condition, you should read the EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. The full Report was delivered to every major official beginning with the President of the USA and the Chairman of the FCC.  Major reorganization of the FCC was undertaken in the late 1990s and some effort was made to address problems cited in this Report. While the initial work by Riley Hollingsworth eliminated some of the worst violators, the bad element that was allowed to become licensed Hams in the 1970-2000 period could remain in our amateur community for a very long time. Given the "drift" of our Society and Culture, there is no reason to believe that the AES will "get well" on its own! It needs continual help and management by responsible Hams and a competent and a friendly but firm Independent Federal agency!

Further details are available from W3OHV (Cholly) via E-mail address: cfranklyn52@yahoo.com

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