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NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 24, 2000--The International Telecommunication Union has adopted a recommendation that outlines basic qualifications for Amateur Radio operators worldwide. Recommendation ITU-R M.1544, Minimum qualifications of radio amateurs, states that minimum operational and technical qualifications are necessary for proper operation of an amateur or amateur-satellite station. It recommends that any person seeking an amateur license at least be able to demonstrate specific theoretical knowledge of radio regulations, radiocommunication methods, radio systems, radio emission safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and RF interference avoidance and resolution.
"The international Radio Regulations have long required that administrations take such measures as they judge necessary to verify the operational and technical qualifications of any person wishing to operate an amateur station," observed International Amateur Radio Union Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ. "In anticipation of changes that are likely to be made in the amateur and amateur-satellite service regulations at the next World Radiocommunication Conference, the new recommendation provides additional definition to these qualifications without reducing the prerogative of an administration to set its own standards."
Recommendation M.1544 came about as part of the IARU's multi-year effort to prepare for the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference, where delegates will consider possible revision of Article S25 of the international Radio Regulations. Work began in 1996 with the release for public comment of a discussion paper by the IARU Future of the Amateur Service Committee. The FASC's final report in 1998 recommended that the IARU Administrative Council plan the development of such a recommendation.
The first draft text was submitted by the Radio Society of Great Britain to the 1999 Conference of IARU Region 1 in Lillehammer, Norway. It was subsequently refined by the IARU Administrative Council and the 2000 Conference of IARU Region 3 in Darwin, Australia.
IARU representatives guided consideration of the recommendation through ITU-R Working Party 8A, Study Group 8 and consultation with administrations, which resulted in additional refinements. The final version of the Recommendation was approved by the ITU administrations without objection.
IARU President Larry E. Price, W4RA, said that establishing uniform minimum qualifications for Amateur Radio operators should help in the area of mutual recognition of amateur licenses for international roaming "and particularly for cross-border movement of amateur operators for disaster communications." Having the recommendation in place, he explained, makes it possible to maintain an ITU document on Amateur Radio operator qualifications within oversight of the ITU-R Study Group and avoids the cumbersome process of modifying Article S25 of the Radio Regulations.
ITU Recommendations are available from the ITU electronic bookshop.--IARU news release
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