SARL and ICASA 'hammering-out' new proposals

SARL President Graham Hartlett, ZS6GJH, held discussions with ICASA on a range of subjects. He reported extensively about the meeting on last Sunday's President's net and explained that while items are on the table and are being discussed, the outcome will take a considerable amount of time as most issues are complex and require regulatory changes, a process that in itself is lengthy.

Some of the main issues discussed include the issuing of the HAREC certificate to candidates who have passed the Radio Amateur Examination by the SARL. There is a difference of interpretation of the regulations between the SARL and ICASA on who should be responsible for the issuing of the certificates. "If the SARL will be given this task, it will enable us to reduce the RAE fees", Graham said. "We are continuing discussions on this subject."

Corrections to the current regulations, including the ZR allocation in the 20-metre band, were also discussed. ZR licensees should at all times stick to the 14 225 - 14 250 kHz as printed in the current regulations. Failing to do so may lead to licence suspension by ICASA. Call sign zoning and lifetime or long-term licences were also on the agenda.

Graham also updated ICASA on what other countries are doing to implement the extension of the 7 MHz band to 7 200 kHz sooner than 2009 and requested ICASA to take similar action. A new item on the agenda was a request from the SARL for consideration to allocate a 100 kHz around the 5 MHz band. This was one of the motions proposed at the IARU Region One conference. Acceptance of this motion was seconded by the SARL.

"We are following up on all these issues and I will report back as and when some progress is made"' Graham said.

Source: The South African Radio League

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