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 Previous: N9GL's RF Safety Column: The Pendulum Swings |  Next: W4DR is 2000 Clinton B. DeSoto Cup Winner |
NEWINGTON, CT, Jan 30, 2001--In preparation for the next World Radiocommunication Conference in 2003, the FCC's WRC-03 Advisory Committee met for the first time this morning at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC. The FCC International Bureau's Planning and Negotiations Division will have the primary responsibility for guiding the FCC's WRC-03 efforts.
A WRC-03 Web site has been set up along with a mailbox for the committee.
The Advisory Committee is one of two inputs in the process to develop US proposals for WRC-03. The other is the government's Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee--or IRAC--Radio Conference Subcommittee. The Advisory Committee provides an opportunity for interests outside the federal government to develop and debate US draft proposals for possible adoption by agreement of the FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information administration and the US Department of State.
WRC-03 will deal with wide-ranging telecommunications issues, including IMT-2000 or so-called "third-generation" or "3G" cellular telephone devices, fixed services, mobile and fixed-satellite issues, HF broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and regulatory matters. While some of these issues could affect Amateur Radio, the conference agenda also includes issues specific to the amateur services.
Amateur Radio-related issues on the WRC-03 agenda include the revision of Article S25 of the international Radio Regulations--the basic rules for the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services. This includes the issue of whether to retain the treaty requirement to demonstrate Morse code proficiency for access to amateur bands below 30 MHz.
Recognizing that WRC-03 likely will do away with the specific Morse requirement, the ARRL Board of Directors this month altered its position on Morse code and S25. The Board wants individual countries to be able decide for themselves if they want a Morse requirement, but it also wants the FCC to retain a Morse requirement for US amateur applicants.
WRC-03 also will review the terms and definitions of Article S1 to the extent required as a consequence of any changes made in Article S25. Among other things, Article S1 contains the definition of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services. In addition, WRC-03 participants are expected to review the provisions of Article S19 concerning the formation of call signs in the amateur services, in order to provide flexibility for administrations.
WRC-03 is scheduled to consider realignment of amateur and broadcasting bands around 7 MHz on a worldwide basis. The long-standing problem was identified in a WARC-92 recommendation that called for realignment at a future conference. The International Amateur Radio Union is committed to supporting a "harmonized" worldwide 300-kHz allocation in the vicinity of 7 MHz.
An examination of the adequacy of HF broadcasting allocations from approximately 4 to 10 MHz also is on the agenda. Conference participants also will consider abandoning an earlier commitment for HF broadcasters to shift from double to single-sideband AM modulation and move instead to digital modulation.
Among other issues that could affect Amateur Radio, WRC-03 will consider allocations for non-geostationary, non-voice mobile satellites (the so-called "Little LEOS") below 1 GHz, as well as spectrum above 1 GHz for feeder links. In addition, the conference will consider Earth Exploration-Satellite Service in the 420 to 470-MHz band--synthetic aperture radars.
ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, says that most of the issues of concern to amateurs have been assigned to the WRC-03 Advisory Committee's Informal Working Group 6, tasked to deal with "Public Protection and Other Issues." Rinaldo says the "other issues" include amateur issues.
Chairing that panel is Larry Miller of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials--primarily, Rinaldo said, because of the "public protection" issue, which has to do with an effort to find common UHF bands for public safety and disaster relief operations.
ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, has been appointed as vice chairman of IWG-6. Rinaldo says Ireland's presence "will be key in seeing that amateur issues have fair treatment." He said Ireland's experience with the Voice of America also will be helpful in dealing with HF broadcasting issues being considered by the panel.
WRC-03 is scheduled to begin June 9, 2003, and continue until July 4, 2003. A firm location has not yet been established, but the conference is expected to take place in Venezuela.
| Previous: N9GL's RF Safety Column: The Pendulum Swings | Next: W4DR is 2000 Clinton B. DeSoto Cup Winner |
