Early Access in band segment 7100 - 7200 kHz

Under Agenda Item 1.23 WRC-03 tried to find a globally harmonised allocation of 300 kHz around 7 MHz for the Amateur Service.

The outcome of WRC-03 was that only the segment 7000 - 7200 kHz will be globally harmonized from 2009. Before WRC-03 within CEPT the concept of "Early access" was adopted. The European Common Proposal EUR/13A23 for WRC-03 included a footnote that stated:

On condition that harmful interference is not caused to the broadcasting service, administrations may allow stations in the amateur service in Regions 1 and 3, from 1st January 2005 until April 2007, to use frequencies in the band 7100 – 7200 kHz on a secondary basis, using a total radiated power not exceeding 24dBW.

What do we see after WRC-03?
Although the footnote was not adopted by WRC-03 there is support for the principle from administrations within CEPT. In and outside Europe we see an increasing number of countries that allow amateurs to operate between 7.1 and 7.2 MHz

What is/was IARU Region 1 doing?
During the ECC Working Group Frequency Management (WGFM) Meeting in Budapest on 22 September 2004, IARU Region 1 proposed to allow amateur activity in the segment 7100 - 7200 kHz. The proposal got support from the administrations from Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and United Kingdom. It was decided that the Dutch administration would draft a recommendation in this sense and that the recommendation will be considered at the next WGFM meeting in January 2005.

During the months October and November 2004 The recommendation was drafted in close cooperation with IARU Region 1 and was on the agenda for the WGFM meeting held in Utrecht the Netherlands 24-28 January 2005. Because of very strong French opposition the proposal was not adopted and it was agreed that the Netherlands would chair a group which would work by correspondence with all concerned Administrations to try to resolve this issue between now and the next WG FM meeting (23 - 27 May 2005).

On 23 February 2005 LA2RR and PB2T discussed the issue with the Dutch, French and Norwegian administrations and the French objection could be taken away.

On 25 May 2005 WGFM adopted (for public consultation) a recommendation to allow early access. After public consultation WGFM at its meeting held in Koblenz adopted ECC/REC(05)05 on 28 September 2005.

So far following countries allow early access

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Rep
Denmark
Iceland
Ireland
Liechtenstein
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands Approval most likely on 30 September
Norway
Poland
Russian Federation
San Marino
Serbia&Montenegro
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Namibia
Sao Tome
Saudi Arabia
Salomon islands
US territories

Thanks to PB2T Hans Blondeel Timmerman

Source: Radio Amateurs of Canada

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