Dutch authorities propose rebanding D-STAR into 70cm satellite band

Information received from the Netherlands this week indicated a growing threat to frequencies allocated and used by the Amateur Satellite Service.

Worldwide, including the Netherlands, amateur use of frequencies in many portions of the 70cm band are allocated as secondary users.

The threat arises from proposals to move the output frequency band of terrestrial D-STAR repeaters from the 439-440 MHz range down to 437-438 MHz.

Dutch regulators have halted amateur D-STAR repeater licensing in that country because they plan to reallocate 439.500 MHz and upward to the Differential GPS (DGPS) service.

Despite protest from Dutch amateur radio operators, amateur clubs in the surrounding countries, and regulators in nearby countries, it seems as if the Dutch authorities are still planning on this frequency re-allocation to favor DGPS operation in violation of ITU allocations.

If completed this reallocation of the terrestrial D-STAR repeater outputs would place them right in the downlink band of the Amateur Satellite Service. This would have immediate operational impact on European amateur satellite stations. Longer term it may open the door for future infringement on satellite operations in other countries.

Source: Amsat-NA, Geert Jan, PE1HZG