[CW] ARRL Seeks Input for New IARU Region 2 Band Plan

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2010/03/04/11374/?nc=1ARRL Seeks Input for
New IARU Region 2 Band Plan

The International Amateur Radio Region 2 (IARU R2 <http://www.iaru-r2.org/>)
conference -- held later this year in El Salvador -- brings together
delegations from the national Amateur Radio Societies in the Western
Hemisphere. One of the topics on the agenda will be the Region 2 HF band
plan<http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-2-mf-hf-bandplan-e.pdf>.
This band plan is "harmonized with" -- spectrum management-speak for "very
similar to" -- the IARU Region
1<http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-1-hf-bandplan-2006.pdf>
 and Region 3 band
plans<http://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/region-3-hf-bandplan.pdf>
.

According to ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, many hams in the USA probably
did not know there was such as thing as a Region 2 band plan until recently.
Now, however, many more American hams have heard of it, but may not know how
-- if at all -- this band plan affects them. Here are important facts for
American hams to keep in mind:

   - IARU band plans are voluntary guidelines. They do not have the force of
   FCC regulations.
   - It would be inappropriate to incorporate Region 2 band plans into the
   FCC rules, and the ARRL has no plan to petition the FCC to do so.
   - Most other countries do not have the detailed sub-band regulations that
   are in Part 97 of the FCC
Rules<http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/47cfr97_02.html>;
   for amateurs in those countries, IARU band plans offer the only guidance on
   frequency use.
   - The recognition of a calling frequency or band segment for a particular
   purpose or mode in the IARU band plan does not convey any special rights or
   exclusivity of use.

A new, more transparent procedure will be followed this year for considering
possible changes to the Region 2 band plan. The ARRL is cooperating with
this procedure by inviting input to be sent to the ARRL Board of Directors'
Band Planning Committee. The committee will review the existing Region 2
band plan, consider input from the amateur community and make
recommendations to the ARRL Board for submission to IARU Region 2.

The inadvertent omission of the AM center of activity frequency (calling
frequency) -- 3.885 MHz on 80 meters -- has already been noted, and this
will be one of the recommended revisions.

The deadline line set by Region 2 for gathering input and formulating
recommendations is rather short. Amateurs who would like to submit input
should take the following steps:

   - First, study the existing IARU Region 2 band
plan<http://www.iaru-r2.org/band-plan/> posted
   on the Region 2 Web site. The Region 1 and Region 3 band plans are also
   posted there, so be sure you are looking at the band plan for Region 2.
   - Next, formulate a clear statement of any change you propose. Include a
   brief explanation of why you think the change would be beneficial. Please
   include your name and call sign in your input.
   - Finally, send your input via e-mail <bandplan2010 at arrl.org> no later
   than April 5, 2010. Messages will be automatically acknowledged.

If you live in another country in Region 2, please contact your national
Amateur Radio Society for information on how to submit input for the band
plan process.
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