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NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 13, 2002--Preparations for next year's World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03) dominated discussions during the annual meeting of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Administrative Council. The gathering, November 7-8 in San Marino, reviewed WRC-03 agenda items of importance to amateurs, including harmonization of amateur and broadcasting allocations in the vicinity of 7 MHz. Several of those attending the San Marino session will be heading directly to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Conference Preparatory Meeting in Geneva November 18-29.
The Administrative Council reviewed and refined IARU strategy for WRC-03. Other WRC-03 agenda items of concern to the amateur community include possible revision of Article 25 of the international Radio Regulations. Article 25 includes the current requirement to demonstrate Morse code proficiency. During its San Marino session, the Council affirmed its policy supporting the removal of Morse code testing as an ITU requirement to obtain an amateur license to operate on frequencies below 30 MHz--a position adopted in October 2001 at its last annual meeting.
WRC-03 delegates also will review Radio Regulations Article 19 provisions that concern the formation of amateur call signs. In addition, delegates to the worldwide assembly will study a possible allocation to the Earth Exploration-Satellite Service (EESS) for synthetic aperture radars (SARs) near 435 MHz and consider a proposed allocation for radio local area networks (LANs) that could impact the 5-GHz amateur allocation. They also will review the agenda for WRC-03 as well as the agenda for the next WRC--now set for the first half of 2007.
In other business, the IARU Administrative Council noted the growing use of power lines for high-speed data communications and expressed concerns that radiation from power line communications (PLC) could interfere with Amateur Radio reception. The Council resolved to urge member-societies to recognize the importance of studies now under way and to share information on investigations conducted in their respective countries.
The Council also reviewed and updated a working document on the present and anticipated future Amateur and Amateur-Satellite spectrum requirements. The document reflects progress made by member-societies in achieving amateur access in the low-frequency bands--135-200 kHz.
A Region 1 suggestion to adopt the theme "Amateur Radio supporting technology education in the classroom" for World Amateur Radio Day was adopted. World Amateur Radio Day, April 18, 2003, marks the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in 1925.
Attending the Council meeting were IARU President Larry Price, W4RA; Vice President David Wardlaw, VK3ADW; Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ; regional representatives Lou van de Nadort, PA0LOU, Tim Hughes, G3GVV, Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, Pedro Seidemann, YV5BPG, Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, Peter Naish, VK2BPN, and K. C. Selvadurai, 9V1UV; and recording secretary Paul Rinaldo, W4RI.
The Council recognized van de Nadort, who's retiring as Region 1 Chairman, and Hughes, who's stepping down as secretary, for their long and devoted service to their region and as Administrative Council members.
In other business, the IARU Administrative Council:
noted the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the European and Inter-American telecommunications organizations (CEPT and CITEL) that may assist in the further development of an international roaming license for radio amateurs.
adopted a budget for 2003-2005, as submitted by the International Secretariat.
reviewed preparations for IARU participation in the upcoming ITU TELECOM Asia 2002 in Hong Kong and TELECOM World 2003 in Geneva. The Council thanked Peter Naish, VK2BPN, and the Hong Kong Amateur Radio Transmitting Society for their efforts to ensure an effective display on behalf of Amateur Radio at TELECOM Asia 2002.
received reports of IARU international coordinators and advisers and thanked retiring Region 1 IARU Monitoring System Coordinator Ron Roden, G4GKO, for his service to the amateur community.
heard a report describing ongoing cooperation between the IARU and the ITU Development Bureau, including the holding of an Amateur Radio Administration Course for Regulators in Nairobi in December under the sponsorship of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU).
noted that the IARU is growing; proposals to admit five new members are under consideration by member-societies. The Council also affirmed the unfavorable finding of IARU Region 1 with regard to an application for membership from the Council of Europe Amateur Radio Club.
identified ITU meetings requiring IARU representation during the coming year and reviewed plans for representation. An IARU expert will attend a series of three meetings scheduled to deal with the interference potential of ultra wideband (UWB) to ensure that Amateur Radio's concerns are taken into account.
The next IARU Administrative Council will be September 6-8 in Taipei, Taiwan, following the IARU Region 3 Conference. For more information, visit the IARU Web site.
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