President’s Message
Hello everybody,
On behalf of myself and my board of directors we would like to wish all Arats members and their family’s a happy and healthy thanksgiving.
Nearly 82 million people are projected to travel over the thanksgiving holiday.
HO” HO” HO” Merry Christmas!
Well not quite yet”
Store’s have Christmas merchandise out already,
Radio stations are playing Christmas music, and who does’t like Christmas music”
There’s a less than 50-50 chance of seeing any measrable snow on the ground for santa big day,
Are annual Christmas party is Weduesday December 17th, “This year the beef is back” Hot roast beef and Hot turkey sandwiches.
If you are planning on bring a dish or dessert to pass I am asking that you call or text me to let me know, thas way we don’t have the same food dish or dessert that night.
I am plainning on holding a 50⁄50 raffle that night.
I will be posting more info later, so to stay tuneed.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
ARATS CHRISTMAS PARTY:
Wedmesday December 17, 2025
Time: 6pm
Locitan: Tonawanda City Hall: 200 Niagara Street, City of Tonawrable snow anda NY.
On the Memu that Night: Hot Roast Beef & Turkey Sandwiches, Arats will be providing Pop & Water. Again this year we will be holding a a 50⁄50 Raffle.
Please remember Membership Dues for 2026 Are Due the Night of the Christmas Party, Bob K2LED will be there to Accept paymet and mark you paid.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The American Radio League (ARRL) is currently lobbying for the Amateur Raido Emergemcy Preparedness Act, a bipartisan pair of bills: H.R. 1094 in the House of Representayives (introduced February 6, 2025) and S. 459 in the Senate, ARRL launched a nationwide grassroots campaign in Sepember 2025 to urge Congress to pass this legislation.
Why ARRL is Lobbying for it:
The bills address a longstanding issue homeowners associaitions (HOAs) and other private land use restrictions often ban or severely limit amateur radio antennas, even for low-impact or concealed installations (e.g.. in attics, trees, or disguised as flagpoles) This disproportionately affected ham eadio operators in the 80% of the new U.S. homes govemed by such rules, undermining the hobby’s role in public serice. ARRL argues this creates uneqal treatment compered to protections already afforded to TV antennas, satelite dishes, and flagpoles under federal law. The core purpose is to enhance national emergency preparedness by ensuring licensed operators can reliably contribute to disaster response, as amateeur radio has proven vital in events like hurricanes and wildfires when commercial infrastructure falls.
How Ham Radio Lincnsees Would Benefit:
Easier Antenna Installation: Operators could install, maintain, and operate antennas without unressonable HOA prohibitions that delay, incresse costs, or degrade signal quality–provided antennas meet safety, zoning, and building code standards.
Legal Portections and Enforcement:
The bills limit-approval requirements for most antennas, exempt certain types (e.g. those under 12 feet tall) and provied a private right of action to challenge volations in court.
Broader Access to the Hobby:
Thousands of licensees in restricted communities could fully participate in amateur radio for personal enjoyment, experimentation, and emergency communications, fostering greater operator retention and recruitment while bolstering community resilience.
;
