FCC Chairman Jessica Rosenworcel has named two prominent radio amateurs among her nominations to the FCC’s Technology Advisory Board (TAC) on January 19. Greg Lapin, N9GL, and Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, were nominated. Lapin chairs the ARRL RF Safety Committee and has represented ARRL The National Association of Radio Amateurs on the TAC since 2001.

ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, noted that Lapin has been involved with RF safety and the FCC since the last major FCC rule changes in 1998. FCC on RF exposure. His work is highly respected by the FCC and the ARRL Lab, which makes it easier for hobbyists to rate their stations,” Hare said.

Thompson is CEO of the Open Research Institute (ORI), which she will represent at the TAC. ORI is a nonprofit research and development organization dedicated to open source work that includes areas such as amateur satellites and digital communications. She is a Life Member of the ARRL. Thompson will discuss “digital communications technology” on February 10 at the ARRL National Convention in Orlando, as part of the academy of technology workshop track.

The TAC serves to help the FCC identify important areas of innovation and develop informed technology policies that support U.S. competitiveness in the global economy. The TAC will review and advise the FCC on topics such as 6G, artificial intelligence, advanced spectrum-sharing technologies, and emerging wireless technologies, including new tools to restore Internet access during shutdowns and other disturbances. The TAC will hold its first meeting of the year on February 28.