[EIDXA] 60 meter band update from WRC -07

[David J. Schmocker]

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David Sumner, K1ZZ

IARU Secretary

    WRC-07 Week 3: HF Broadcasting Empty-Handed, No 5-MHz Amateur
    Allocation


    As the International Telecommunication Union’s 2007 World
    Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-07) in Geneva headed toward its
    fourth and final week, the proponents of additional allocations to
    HF Broadcasting conceded defeat and accepted that there will be no
    additional allocations made to HFBC at this conference. The slim
    possibility of a 5-MHz allocation to the amateur service also
    evaporated late Friday evening.

    HFBC has been a contentious issue at ITU conferences for decades. At
    WRC-07, additional HFBC allocations between 4 and 10 MHz were
    supported by 25 European administrations and a few outside Europe
    but were strongly opposed by every other regional organization.
    Opposition to additional HFBC allocations was based mainly on a
    desire to protect military and other government fixed and mobile
    communications, although some of the administrations that were the
    most outspoken opponents of HFBC expansion authorize HFBC stations
    under their jurisdiction to operate out-of-band in the fixed and
    mobile allocations. Some HFBC proponents predict that the
    unsatisfactory outcome of the conference on this issue will lead to
    even more out-of-band broadcasting.

    A footnote specifically authorizing administrations to allow amateur
    stations to use spot frequencies in the 5-MHz range was considered
    Friday evening at the Sub Working Group level as one of the last
    items of business concerning the 4-10 MHz range. The footnote failed
    to attract sufficient support and was withdrawn from consideration
    by its sponsor, the European regional organization (CEPT). This has
    no effect on the administrations that have authorized amateur
    operations under the no-interference provisions of Radio Regulation 4.4.

    On a more positive note for radio amateurs, a secondary allocation
    of 135.7-137.8 kHz to the amateur service was approved on first
    reading in Plenary on Friday afternoon, November 9. This marks the
    first time since allocations to radio services began that the
    amateur service has had an allocation below the medium wave
    broadcasting band. The effective date is not yet set but is likely
    to be the date of entry into force of the Final Acts of the
    Conference. Of course, amateurs must wait until their own
    administrations authorize the new allocation before they can use it.
    Some administrations, while not wishing to block the international
    allocation, have indicated a reluctance to implement it in their
    countries because of various interference concerns.

    Work continues on the agenda for future WRCs, tentatively scheduled
    for 2011 and 2015. There are many more proposals for agenda items
    for the next conference than can be accommodated, so only those with
    broad support are likely to be included. Committee work on the
    future agendas is scheduled for completion early next week.

    Members of the core team of the International Amateur Radio Union
    (IARU) continue to attend the relevant meetings and work the halls
    on behalf of the amateur and amateur-satellite services. Support
    from numerous members of national delegations remains a vital
    component of this effort.

    On Tuesday evening, November 6 the International Amateur Radio Club,
    4U1ITU, held a dinner with a new amateur licensee, ITU
    Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT as the guest of honor.
    There were 43 members and guests present, including WRC-07 delegates
    from more than a dozen countries -- several heads and deputy heads
    of delegation among them. The club station is active on the air
    under the special call sign 4U1WRC. - David Sumner, K1ZZ, IARU Secretary

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