IARU reports (cautious) CPM success for amateur radio

This report from The South African Radio League

The task of the 2007 World Radiocommunications Conference Preparatory Meeting, known as the CPM is to finalise and approve the almost 600 pages of draft text of the technical report to the WRC, which been in preparation by the ITU-R study groups over the past 3 - 4 years.

There are three relevant issues for amateur radio:

1) The suggested alternatives or methods for resolving Agenda Item 1.15 proposing a world-wide secondary allocation to the amateur service of the band between 135,7 and 137,8 kHz.

2) The Method for Agenda item 1.13, proposing a world-wide primary allocation to the amateur service of the band between 7200 and 7300 kHz and

3) The Method for Agenda item 1.13 proposing a world-wide secondary allocation to the amateur service of the band between 5260 and 5420 kHz.

The 135.7 allocation proposal is widely accepted.
However, Japan proposed that the power limit be left to each administration to be determined. This was strongly opposed by the Arab countries. During the meeting, some compromise was reached with a small change to the text but with retention of the no change Method. It is here hoped that the Arab countries will not oppose the Agenda item at the WRC.

The review of the allocations between 4 and 10 MHz was much more difficult.
There are major disagreements between opposing groups, which may well lead to the proposed amateur expansion of the 40 metre band becoming a bargaining chip.
A lot of behind manoeuvring by the IARU team resulted in the proposal remaining intact in the final report.

A lot of work lies ahead for the IARU and individual societies to lobby. Formal feedback from the South African delegation and the position of the African block will be discussed a meeting later in the week and reported on in next week's SARL News.

Source: The South African Radio League

Latest news stories..

• Get our news headlines for your website • Submit your news story

• Visit our bookshop

Free Competition Closes end of March
Win one of five, one-year subscriptions  Click here