 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
 Previous: The Amateur Amateur: But Are You a Real Ham? |  Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 4, 2003--As preparations for this summer's World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03) head into the home stretch, ARRL this week launched a special WRC-03 campaign to help generate the funds needed to continue the defense of Amateur Radio spectrum. Issues that affect amateurs, such as the Amateur Radio/International Broadcasting overlap on 40 meters and the desire of commercial interests to expand their slices of spectrum are on the table and will be decided.
"While much of what happens at international conferences may seem very far away to the average ham, the decisions made at WRC-03 will have a dramatic impact on every ham in the country," said ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH. "The totality of these issues is huge for Amateur Radio."
Hobart said Amateur Radio needs to present "its best face and voice" to the various parties and interests that gather for WRC-03 in Geneva. The new WRC-03 campaign, which is aimed at making that possible, takes a twofold tack. "We are reaching out to ARRL members by mail and on the Web to contribute before May 30," she explained. The secure Web site features a detailed letter from ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.
"A contribution toward a healthy future for ham radio is just a click or two away," Hobart noted. Contributors also may mail in donations by check, if they wish. Send checks made out to "ARRL" to WRC-03 Spectrum Defense Campaign, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Note "WRC-03 Spectrum Defense Fund" on your check.
Hobart points out that over the last several years, the "relentless efforts of ARRL in Washington, DC, and at international conferences" have led to the fund's depletion on the eve of the most important international radio conference in a decade. She stated that Amateur Radio must have strength and resolve when ARRL and International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) representatives go to the conference.
"It is only through the continuing efforts of all hams--ARRL members and non-members alike--that a successful defense and promotion of Amateur Radio can take place in the face of commercial and governmental parties, which have very deep pockets," Hobart said.
In his letter, Sumner notes that close to 2000 delegates from nearly every country in the world will take part in the conference. In addition to the pressing problem of the overlap at 40 meters, international broadcasters are claiming they need additional spectrum in the 4 to 10 MHz range--the top end of 75 meters could be affected.
Sumner adds that satellite-borne radar systems and the so-called "Little LEO" satellites are also on the WRC-03 agenda, and decisions on these issues could affect amateur spectrum. In addition, broadband wireless devices, third-party traffic and the extent to which amateur licensing standards will be recognized in the international regulations also will be discussed and adjudicated.
WRC-03 takes place in Geneva June 9 through
July 4.
| Previous: The Amateur Amateur: But Are You a Real Ham? | Next: The K7RA Solar Update |
