ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio, and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enlist amateur radio operators in the monitoring of radio airwaves and to provide assistance to the FCC in its enforcement efforts against unauthorized transmissions.
According to a news item posted to the ARRL website earlier this month, the MoU formally establishes the ARRL’s Volunteer Monitors program. Under the program, licensed amateur operators vetted and trained by the ARRL will monitor the airwaves and collect evidence that can be used to identify potential abuse or misuse. In instances where flagrant violations of FCC rules are discovered, the ARRL will then initiate referrals to the FCC for enforcement action.
Under the scope of the MoU, the ARRL will take the lead in developing the program and training volunteer monitors for deployment. The ARRL estimates that it will take 6 to 9 months before the first monitors have been trained and deployed.
