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 Previous: It Seems to Us . . . Article S25: More Than Morse |  Next: AO-40 Transponders to Open for Experimental Operation |
NEWINGTON, CT, May 3, 2001--The FCC's World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 Advisory Committee has approved several "preliminary views"--or PVs--on expected WRC-03 agenda items. Among these is a US preliminary view supporting a realigned 40-meter amateur allocation at 6900-7200 kHz on a world wide primary basis. The FCC is soliciting public comment on all WAC preliminary views by May 9.
The preliminary view was developed by Informal Working Group 6, which is dealing with most issues of concern to amateurs. ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, serves as vice chairman of IWG-6. The PV says that, alternatively, the US could support a 7000-7300 kHz worldwide primary amateur allocation.
Only amateurs in Region 2, which includes North and South America, have access to 7000-7300 kHz; the rest of the world has only 7000-7100 kHz, with the upper 200 kHz allocated for broadcasting. ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, says the ARRL would prefer going back to the pre-World War II worldwide 7000-7300 kHz scheme. Some broadcasters, on the other hand, would like amateurs worldwide at 6800-7100 kHz, he said, so they would not have to move. A Radio Conference Subcommittee backgrounder from the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee--which reflects views of the federal government--said the issue "is liable to be very controversial."
Further complicating matters, Rinaldo said, is the fact that international HF broadcasters want to fold the 7 MHz realignment question into another WRC-03 agenda item examining the adequacy of HF broadcasting allocations from approximately 4 MHz to 10 MHz. Broadcasters are expected to seek additional HF elbow room to accommodate digital transmissions to complement their existing AM channels.
Any realignment scheme will involve having to move existing occupants--broadcasters on one side or fixed and mobile services--mostly government and Part 90 users--on the other.
"This is tough," Rinaldo said, noting that the different players involved are "all spinning this their own way." He said the fixed and mobile service users by and large have no one representing their interests.
"We want 300 kHz," Rinaldo said--reflecting the position of the International Amateur Radio Union, "but, we have some flexibility as to where it is."
Another PV with implications for amateurs would oppose the use of 420-470 MHz for use by the Earth Exploration-Satellite Service for so-called synthetic aperture radars, or SARs unless it can be shown that the satellites "do not cause harmful interference to amateur systems and stations." SARs are used to map regions on Earth's surface and are expected to be deployed primarily over tropical rain forest areas. Amateurs are concerned with the possibility of harmful interference in the 430-440 MHz band, used by amateur satellites.
The EESS topic will be among those discussed as working parties of the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector Study Group 7 meet in Geneva May 9-17. Ireland will be on the US delegation. IARU volunteer Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, also will attend.
At the same time, ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA, will be in El Salvador for a committee meeting of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission--CITEL--preparing for WRC-03. Siverling has been invited to discuss Amateur Radio as a disaster communications resource and will highlight the importance of 40 meters to emergency networks in the hemisphere.
Rinaldo emphasized that the preliminary views do not represent formal US positions and are subject to change as preparations for WRC-03 move forward.
Comments on WAC preliminary views may be filed via e-mail to wrc03@fcc.gov. The FCC's WRC-03 Web site, includes additional information as well as links to related documents.
Other Amateur Radio-related issues on the WRC-03 agenda include the revision of Article S25 of the international Radio Regulations--the basic rules for the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services. Among other issues (see the editorial, "Article S23: More Than Morse," elsewhere on this page) this includes the issue of whether to retain the treaty requirement to demonstrate Morse code proficiency for access to amateur bands below 30 MHz. No preliminary view has been developed on this issue as yet.
WRC-03 also will review the terms and definitions of Article S1 to the extent required as a consequence of any changes made in Article S25. Among other things, Article S1 contains the definition of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services. In addition, WRC-03 participants are expected to review the provisions of Article S19 concerning the formation of call signs in the amateur services, in order to provide flexibility for administrations in the assignment of temporary call signs for special events.
WRC-03 is scheduled to begin June 9, 2003, and continue until July 4, 2003. The conference is expected to take place in Venezuela.
| Previous: It Seems to Us . . . Article S25: More Than Morse | Next: AO-40 Transponders to Open for Experimental Operation |
