70 MHz Initiative

As reported earlier, Ireland submitted a proposal to CEPT's Frequency Management Working Group, WGFM, concerning the possibility of a secondary allocation to the amateur service in the band 70.0 - 70.5 MHz in Europe's Table of Frequency Allocations, the ECA.

Following on an earlier document submitted in July last, a document drafted by Dave EI3IO was submitted by the Irish Radio Transmitters Society (IRTS) to ComReg soon after the close of WRC-07 last year.

ComReg acted on this and submitted a formal proposal to the WGFM. The prime goal for doing this was to secure regulatory recognition for the frequency allocation at 70MHz, which appeared to be a requirement before some countries would release the band to the amateur radio service.

Ten supporting Administrations were needed to automatically write a new allocation into the ECA. Unfortunately the proposal was supported by only six Administrations; The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

With six other countries actively opposing it. It will be obvious that some countries whose amateurs are active on the band did not support the Irish proposal for one reason or another. This was despite strenuous efforts by the IRTS, the RSGB's VHF Manager G4ASR and the IARU to contact all member societies, in order that they would be in a position to discuss the Irish proposal with their national delegates prior to the CEPT meeting.

The good news is that as there was some limited support, Ireland can propose a note to be included in the ECA which reports that a number of CEPT countries are now allocating this band on a national basis to the amateur service.

It is understood that ComReg will shortly be submitting an appropriate note for inclusion in the ECA. It is therefore hoped that this will be sufficient for those countries, which need some regulatory ammunition to obtain a 4-metre allocation. Furthermore, the note may also provide an opening for another proposal or request from the IARU to CEPT for a 70 MHz allocation at some point in the future,
hopefully with more support. And of course more good news is that we might also see Switzerland and maybe
Liechtenstein and 4U1ITU on the band before too long.

We’re sure everyone in Ireland and elsewhere would like to give recognition and appreciation to Samuel Ritchie of Comreg, for his excellent efforts in respect of amateur access to 70 MHz as well as to Dave EI3IO for his personal input in drafting all of the initial technical documentation.

Source: IRTS