SARL to DoC - add Amateur Radio to spectrum policy document

Following the publication of the draft radio frequency spectrum policy, the South African Radio League (SARL) has requested the Department of Communication to add more specific wording about amateur radio to the document as is the case with radio astronomy.

The SARL propose the following wording:

"10.5 Government supports Radio Amateurs having continued access to their radio frequencies as designated by the ITU table of allocations necessary to continue the application of the radio spectrum for self development, investigation into radio science and radio wave propagation and the provision of emergency communication services and as a support medium to promote STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Maths) amongst the youth of South Africa."

As an explanatory note, STEM has internationally replaced the term ICT - Information Communication Technology - as it better represents the broader requirements of industry, an area in which Amateur Radio can make a major contribution.

The draft spectrum policy was communicated in SARL NEWS some weeks back and made available on the web for comment. It is of concern to the SARL that only one comment was received.

The South African Radio League
http://www.sarl.org.za