SARL joins WRC Industry Preparatory Group

The week the South African Radio League joined the World Radio Conference 2007 Industry Preparatory Group.

The IPG was formed to prepare industry's position on the many agenda items that will be discussed at the next World Radio Conference which will be held in 2007.

At the conference there are two agenda items that have specific impact on amateur radio. The one is the allocation of 135,7 to 137,8 kHz to the Amateur service and a harmonised 40 metre allocation from 7 000 to 7 300 kHz.

Currently South African Radio Amateurs have access to 7 000 - 7 100 kHz. At WRC 2003 the conference agreed that 7 100 - 7 200 kHz will be made available to the amateur service by not later than 2009. Administrations may however make the additional 100 kHz available at an earlier date. Some countries in Europe and Africa have already given amateurs access to the additional spectrum. The SARL is in discussion with ICASA to consider similar action.

At WRC 2007 the call is for a further 100 kHz so that the 40 metre band will on a world-wide basis cover 7 000 - 7 300 kHz.

The SARL is making input to the IPG on the 7 MHz and 137 kHz agenda items. It is expected that the IPG will make an unified input to the Department of Communication who will ultimately be responsible for the South African position on the various agenda items.

The SARL leads the discussion on the 137 kHz agenda item and will work with Sentech and other industry players on the spectrum below 10 MHz agenda item.

Source: The South African Radio League

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