On Fri, 8 Aug 2014 22:13:40 EDT, KC4UAI wrote:

Way back in the 70's, the FCC declined to
preempt such private land contracts (deed restrictions) for Ham radio,
even though it felt it necessary to do the very same thing for
over the air TV and Digital internet and phone services.

The FCC issued the (in)famous PRB-1 ruling in 1985, not the 1970s. As
far as pre-emption of regulations banning TV/satellite dish antennas,
known as OTARD, this was ordered by The Congress in 1996 - the FCC
didn't have a choice. There was big money fighting against it but the
broadcasters had even bigger money.

The FCC has continuously refused to exercise pre-emption of private
land use contract restrictions absent a directive from The Congress,
just like the OTARD had to be done. That's what this bill is all
about. There is big money fighting against it as well.

As far as regulating interstate and foreign phone service -- this goes
back to 1934! As far as regulating internet service - the FCC does
not regulate it at all. That's what all this brouhaha about "net
neutrality" is all about and it's being fought by big money interests.

I know that this kind of bill has been introduced before in previous
sessions of congress only to die in committee. Could this time be
different? You never really know. Perhaps this time it will work?

It's being referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep
Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), chairs that panel's Communications and
Technology Subcommittee. He had introduced similar bills in prior
sessions of The Congress. It should come out of committee but whether
it dies on the floor is another matter. We probably will have to
start all over again with the next session of The Congress. The
sooner the better.

"Never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never" - Winston
Churchill

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
ARRL Volunteer Counsel