Halleluah.

I see the ability for AMSAT-NA to be able to talk to its international friends again in our near future.

I saw this coming for some time and saw very high level administration and directorial level personnel of many agencies of the US government say this needed to happen, but I was afraid that the staunch opposition of two very high ranking people in the US congress, who are about to retire, would prevent this leaving conference.

This is not the death of ITAR, but it is the rebirth of our ability to go and get a commodities jurisdiction request to have a decent hearing with some real chance for success. NO technical assistance agreements, no telling our dear friends from around the world that we would love to work with them so long as they agree to be bound by US law and subject to prosecution in the US. For US persons, it was the threat of bankrupting fines, loss of jobs, and more. I have longed for this day.

Now that it has been adopted by conference, it is a straight up and down vote in House and Senate will happen with no filibuster, and hopefully the president will sign.

Fingers crossed!! Bob

On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 8:30 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner < glasbrenner@mindspring.com> wrote:

http://www.spacepolitics.com/2012/12/18/a-long-awaited-big-win-for-export-co...

73, Drew KO4MA

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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

Hi Drew,

this is indeed very good news for AMSAT-NA

see also: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/19/space-exports-idUSL1E8NJE8U2012121...

Just as an example, when ITAR hit AMSAT, some of our friends and team members from the AMSAT P3-D (AO-40) team were so scared that they stopped any contact with us. They would not even tell us the time of the day.. With our hobby being so communicative and peacefully, this was indeed a big hit and step back for AMSAT and international cooperation.

However, my understanding is that it still needs final vote by both chambers before it passes to President Barack Obama for signing. But I guess that's what everyone expects now and hopefully it will not take too long..

So let's hope that this part get's soon history and that we can restore and re-establish the good relationship and international cooperation between US an the rest of the world, to work together on new exciting projects for international friendship through ham radio.

73s Peter DB2OS

Peter Guelzow President AMSAT-DL

On 20.12.2012 02:30, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:

http://www.spacepolitics.com/2012/12/18/a-long-awaited-big-win-for-export-co...

73, Drew KO4MA

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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb