Transcript WRC 2007

WRC 2007
The inside story
Part I
Preparations
• In Canada, on behalf of RAC, Jim VE3IQ has
worked for the past 4 years with Industry
Canada and other spectrum users to influence
the Canadian position at the WRC.
• At the same time, in Geneva, Ken VE3PU
attended four years of studies and negotiations
to establish the IARU position and influence the
rest of the world.
• In the Americas, Daniel Lamoureux VE2KA
attended meetings for both RAC and the IARU
to influence the Region’s position
What was at stake?
• Expansion of the HF broadcast bands and
possible loss of the 7200-7300 kHz
primary allocation in our Region
• Expansion of 40 metres to 300 kHz
worldwide (primary)
• A new band at 2200 metres (secondary)
• A new band at 60 metres (secondary)
• Agenda for the next conference
Regions
160° 140° 120° 100°
80°
60°
40°
20°
C
0°
20°
B
40°
60°
80°
100° 120°
140° 160° 180°
170°
170°
The ITU is organized in three regions.
Canada is in Region 2
A
75°
75°
60°
60°
R E G IO N 1
R E G IO N 2
40°
40°
30°
30°
20°
20°
0°
0°
20°
20°
30°
30°
40°
40°
R E G IO N 3
R E G IO N 3
160° 140° 120° 100°
B
80°
60°
40°
20°
A
0°
20°
40°
60°
80°
100° 120° 140° 160° 180°
170°
170°
60°
C
60°
T h e s h a d e d p a r t re p re s e n ts th e T ro p ic a l Z o n e s a s d e f in e d in N o s . S 5 .1 6 to S 5 .2 0 a n d S 5 .2 1 .
S 5 -0 1
Power Blocs
• In order to have more influence
at a WRC, countries with
common interests work together
to submit joint or “common”
proposals
IARU forecast at
May 2007 RAC Board meeting
• Loss of 7200-7300 in our Region
- less than 30%
• 300 kHz at 40 metres - less than 10%
• 2200 Metres – better than 50%
• 60 metres – maybe 10%
• Next conference ???
Where was our support ?
• Protection of 7200-7300 – Canada, CITEL
• Worldwide 300 kHz at 40 metres – none !
• 135 kHz band – Canada, CITEL, CEPT, ATU,
RCC, APT
• 5 MHz band –25 European countries,
Mexico, Iran and Georgia
Where was the opposition?
• Protection of 7200-7300 kHz - USA ??
• Worldwide 300 kHz at 40 metres –
opposed by Canada, and all power blocs
• 135 kHz band –opposed by Arab bloc
• 5 MHz band – opposed by Canada, USA,
RCC, some CEPT countries, CITEL, ARB,
APT, ATU
What did we have going for us?
• The IARU is well respected in the ITU.
– In the Radio Sector, for both our technical and
diplomatic activities
– In the Development Sector for the work done by
Larry Price W4RA, Tim Ellam VE6SH and Hans
Zimmerman F5VKP.
– Larry’s participation as an observer at Council, etc
– Daniel’s participation in CITEL
– Former ITU Director Bob Jones VE7RWJ on IARU team
What did we have going for us?
• There were many radio amateurs on national
delegations which understand, and are
sympathetic to our needs.
• Very good PR at the conference including
Amateur display in German emergency
communications van.
• RAC supported the IARU position and continued
to press the Canadian delegation to support us
should the opportunity arise.
How did we “sell” our case?
• Amateur radio as a service
• Emergency and disaster relief
communications, on the spot during first
hours after a disaster.
• Ability to communicate under adverse
propagation conditions
What does NOT sell
internationally?
• Amateur radio as a “hobby” - rag chewing
• Amateurs as innovators of new
technology
• Amateurs as skilled operators - DXing,
contests, etc
• Amateur radio as an educational resource
What did RAC do?
• Publicized ARES and other disaster
communications capabilities on the air, in TCA
and on the web site
• Continued to press Canada and other
administrations to support the IARU position at
the WRC
• Sought DARF support to attend more
international meetings
• Supported the IARU – both financially through
annual membership, and by publicizing its good
works.
Part II
The WRC story
•Over 2800 delegates, from some 180 countries around
the world descended on Geneva in October.
•The IARU team at the conference, headed by Larry
Price W4RA, included:
-Paul Rinaldo W4RI,
-Hans Zimmermann F5VKP ,
-Reinaldo Leandro YV5AMH, and
-Ken Pulfer VE3PU.
-In addition, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, and Tim Ellam,
VE6SH joined the team for part of the time.
•Former ITU Director Bob Jones VE7RWJ provided
support and advice to the IARU team.
A few of the other radio amateurs representing
their national societies at the conference:
•Walt Ireland WB7CSL and Jon Siverling
WB3ERA, USA
• Colin Thomas G3PSM, Great Britain
• Ole Garpestad LA2RR, Norway
• Keith Malcolm VK1ZK, Australia
• Jim Dean VE3IQ, Canada
• Peter Lake ZL2AZ, New Zealand
• Tafa Diop 6W1KI, Senegal, and
• Jay Oka JA1TRC, Japan
• Trond Olsen LA8XM Norway
•To start things off, an article was included in
the current ITU News magazine, distributed to
all delegates, describing what the amateur
radio community hoped to gain at this WRC.
•There was a flier in every delegate's mailbox
describing amateur radio and what it does for
the community.
•And there was a trailer parked just outside
the WRC entrance displaying emergency and
disaster communications equipment, manned
by two German radio amateurs
•The local amateur radio club put the special
call sign 4U1WRC on the air for the duration of
the conference.
•And to top it all off, the most senior official in
the ITU, Dr Hammadoun Touré, the Secretary
General , proudly announced in his opening
address to the conference that he had just
acquired his amateur radio licence, with the
call sign HB9EHT.
WRC Proposals
• In the conference input documents, there
were some new proposals for items
affecting amateur radio
– CEPT and Mexico proposed a 60 metre
amateur band as had been recommended by
the IARU.
– Iran and Georgia also proposed 60 metres,
but with some qualifications.
– Several Arab countries broke ranks and
supported the 135 kHz amateur proposal
IARU team
• While the IARU started out with a strong team,
we ran into problems.
– During the second week, our head of delegation
Larry Price, W4RA suffered a small stroke, which put
him in the hospital. He was well enough during the
third week to travel, and returned home to the USA.
– The President of Region 2, Reinaldo Leandro of
Venezuela also had to return home because of a
medical emergency in his family.
IARU team
– Tim Ellam VE6SH had to return to Calgary at
the end of the second week because of an
urgent matter in his day job.
– And finally, Dave Sumner K1ZZ, and Hans
Zimmerman F5VKP, returned home in the
middle of the third week as originally
planned.
• So the IARU was reduced to just Paul
Rinaldo W4RI, and Ken Pulfer VE3PU
A 135 kHz (2200 metre) band
• Usually the first week of a conference is
taken up by receptions and allocation of
documents to committees. This time
more progress was made.
• By the end of the first week, two
meetings (chaired by Suneil Kanjeekal of
Canada) had been held on the 135 kHz
proposal, and it was widely supported.
Region 1
Region 2
135.7-137.8
FIXED
MARITIME MOBILE
•Amateur
135.7-137.8
FIXED
MARITIME MOBILE
•Amateur
•ADD 5.4C03
•ADD 5.4C04
•ADD 5.4C03
Region 3
135.7-137.8
FIXED
MARITIME MOBILE
RADIONAVIGATION
•Amateur
•ADD 5.4C03
•ADD 5.4C04
135 kHz
• 5.4C03 Stations in the amateur service
using frequencies in the band 135.7-137.8
kHz shall not exceed a maximum radiated
power of 1 W (e.i.r.p.) and shall not
cause harmful interference to stations of
the radionavigation service operating in
countries listed in No. 5.67.
135 kHz
• The IARU was not allowed to intervene during
meetings, so we concentrated on intensive
lobbying with all the participants including
Canada
• Several amateurs on national delegations spoke
at the meetings, but lacking experience in the
political issues involved, many did more harm
than good. Jim's participation was essential.
135 kHz
• By Friday, Europe dropped their e.r.p.
requirement and everything had been resolved
except for a few remaining hold-out Arab
countries.
• Much lobbying went on to try to get the Arabs
to change their minds. Former Director Bob
Jones VE7RWJ on the IARU team, was very
effective, as was Jan Verduijn of the
Netherlands, and of course Suneil Kanjeekal
and Jim Dean of Canada.
135 kHz
• 5.4C04 The use of the band 135.7-137.8 kHz
in Algeria, Egypt, Iran (Islamic Republic of),
Iraq, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lebanon, Syrian
Arab Republic, Sudan and Tunisia is limited to
the fixed and maritime mobile services.
• The amateur service shall not be used in the
above-mentioned countries in the band 135.7137.8 kHz, and this should be taken into
account by the countries authorizing such
use.
135 kHz
• It took a week to find the wording for the 135
kHz footnote which was acceptable. Even so,
one country recorded their inability to go along
with the proposal.
• The proposal then moved up the chain of
committees to reach approval in plenary on
Friday of the third week.
• The challenge for RAC now will be to convince
Industry Canada to allow use of the band in our
country, in spite of objections from Hydro
Quebec, that 135 kHz may interfere with their
power line control systems
IARC Dinner
• During the third week of the conference, the
International Amateur Radio Club arranged for a
dinner for visiting amateurs.
• About 50 amateurs attended, with the guest of
honour being Dr Touré, HB9EHT, the Secretary
General of the ITU.
• It was a very enjoyable social evening, and
amongst other things, Dr Touré signed 4U1WRC
QSL cards for all amateurs present.
HF Bands
• Only one meeting was held on the 4-10
MHz agenda item during the first week,
and, as expected, going was very difficult.
• Rumours abounded. It was said that the
US was ready to offer 7200 to 7300 kHz in
Region 2 to the broadcasters in exchange
for concessions
• Broadcast representatives informed us
that they would not accept 7200 to 7300,
and if they did have to make sacrifices, 60
metres would be the first to go.
HF Bands
• By the end of the second week there was still
no progress towards resolving the differences
over new broadcast allocations.
• It was also pretty clear that no new amateur
spectrum at 7 MHz would be considered, but
that a 5 MHz band was still a possibility once
the broadcast question was resolved
HF Bands
• On Wednesday of the third week, things came
to a head.
• The Chairman of the conference met with a
small group of regional representatives and
informed them that, since there was still no
progress towards a compromise, and he wished
to avoid the need to call for a vote in plenary,
he would encourage broadcast to withdraw
their request for more spectrum.
HF Bands
• On Thursday CEPT declined to withdraw it’s
proposal, but did reluctantly agree to support
the no-change option. (A very subtle distinction
!!)
• The remaining HF issues were then tackled at
the working level on Thursday and on Friday.
• The amateur 60 metre band was postponed
until almost the end. A fallback proposal for
selected spot frequencies was quickly prepared
Ireland
United
Kingdom
Canada
Finland
Iceland
Norway
United
States
(kHz)
(kHz)
(kHz)
(kHz)
(kHz)
(kHz)
5 260
5 260
5 269
5 280
5 280
5 280
5 280
5 280
5 280
5 290
5 290
5 290
5 290
5 290
5 290
5 332
5 332
5 332
5 332
5 348
5 348
5 348
5 348
5 368
5 368
5 368
5 368
5 368
5 373
5 373
5 373
5 373
5 373
5 300
5 319
5 329
5 400
5 400
5 400
5 400
5 400
5 400
5 405
5 405
5 405
5 405
5 405
5 405
HF Bands
• Late on Friday evening, the 60 metre proposal
was finally discussed. European amateurs made
a strong case in favour of an allocation, but
there was no support outside of Europe, and so
they gracefully withdrew.
• It was a big disappointment for all amateurs
present, but we had to accept it.
• Amateurs in many countries will now put
pressure on their own governments to allow
some permanent spot frequencies around 5
MHz. RAC will be doing the same in Canada.
Part III
The future
WRC 2011 Proposals
– CEPT proposed a new amateur band at 500 kHz, and
a 50-54 MHz 6 metre band for Region 1.
– Cuba proposed the 60 metre amateur band for 2011
– Potential threats:
• The USA proposed an allocation for Surface Wave Radar at
frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz
• Canada proposed no new allocations above 275 GHz, but
left the door open for more studies and a possibility of an
amateur proposal at 2011
• Arab states proposed a mobile allocation in the 430-440
MHz primary amateur band in Region 1
2011 final agenda
• 1.24
to consider an allocation of about 15
kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the
amateur service on a secondary basis, taking
into account the need to protect existing
services;
• to consider primary allocations of mobile
services in the band 430-440 MHz in Region 1
(dropped).
2011 final agenda
• 1.15
to consider possible allocations in the
range 3-50 MHz to the radiolocation service for
oceanographic radar applications taking into
account the results of ITU-R studies in
accordance with Resolution [---];
End result
•
•
•
•
•
•
All existing amateur bands protected
New 135 kHz world wide amateur band
500 kHz amateur band on 2011 agenda
No major threats on 2011 agenda
Bands above 250 GHz still a possibility
Visibility of Amateur Services maintained
• No expansion of 40 metres in other regions
• No new 60 metre band