WRC 07 underway in Geneva

After only the first two days of the month-long World Radio Conference taking place in Geneva, considerable progress has been made on matters of great interest to amateur radio.

Most of the proposals having to do with bands between 4 and 10 MHz have been introduced, and more detailed discussion will start later this week.

More than 2500 delegates have registered for these meetings, and the ITU and Geneva Conference Centre facilities are stretched to the limit.

The first working level meeting on proposals for a new amateur radio band at 136 kHz, chaired by Canada, has taken place, and delegates from many countries around the world have set out their particular concerns and interests. There is wide support for the idea of a new amateur radio band, but there are many details of the associated regulations which have yet to be ironed out.

As usual, the International Amateur Radio Union (which is not permitted to intervene during meetings) has concentrated on talking with delegates behind the scenes, trying to find ways of working towards a consensus. On the other hand, many radio amateurs on national delegations have been taking an active part in the meetings.

A demonstration disaster communications van, manned by two radio amateurs from Germany, together with IARU coordinator Hans Zimmerman F5VKP, is parked just outside the entrance to the conference centre, flying the IARU flag. Two metre, 70cm and microwave radio equipment set up inside the van is being demonstrated to interested delegates.

Source: Radio Amateurs of Canada