The IARU Region 3 Newsletter Issue 1/2000, December 2000 Following the election of Directors at the recent 11th Region 3 Conference held in Darwin, I have been appointed Editor of the Region 3 Newsletter. My objective will be to keep members of Societies of Region 3 informed of IARU & other matters of interest, create an awareness of the issues facing the world wide amateur fraternity and the work being done by IARU. It will be my endeavor to develop a sense of belonging to strengthen IARU Region 3, support the member societies and encourage amateur radio within Region 3. I am very happy to present this first issue of the "IARU Region 3 Newsletter" under my editorship. K C Selvadurai 9V1UV Director IARU Region 3 >>> 11th Region 3 Conference Darwin Aug-Sept 2000 <<< The most significant event in the recent past was the 11th Region 3 Conference at which delegates present represented 13 societies. That number reflects a decrease from the 16 societies represented at the 10th Conference in Beijing. Much business is covered at Conferences and all societies are encouraged to make efforts to send a delegation to the next Conference to be held on Taipei in September 2003. For the benefit of those who were unable to attend the 11th Conference, and as a reminder for those who were able to, this issue of the Newsletter will refer to some of the key issues that were debated and discussed. >>> WRC 2003 <<< Mr. Larry Price, W4RA, President of IARU, stressed the urgency of preparation for WRC 2003, which will be a very important meeting for amateur radio. The agenda items of relevance to the amateur and amateur-satellite services include revision of S25 (details in next issue of the Newsletter) harmonization of amateur and broadcasting allocations near 7 MHz, review of provisions concerning the formation of amateur call signs, additional allocations for Little LEO satellites, study of a possible allocation to the Earth-exploration satellite service near 430 MHz, and possible identification of globally harmonized frequency bands for use by agencies and organizations dealing with public protection and disaster relief. It is important that there be representatives of the amateur services on national delegations where possible to encourage administrations to support the issues brought up by IARU. Perhaps the first step will be to build up a close working relationship with the local administration. The way to achieve this will vary according to the culture and practice. A good relationship will facilitate canvassing views of the administration on issues when they are known nearer the date. * Alignment of 7MHz Band The subject was discussed with much enthusiasm with delegates explaining the situation in their respective countries. There was consensus, given the congestion in the band, to seek a 300-kHz wide band, not necessarily a specific band. IARU wishes to identify administrations willing to propose 300 kHz, or to support such a proposal from another administration. In conclusion, the Conference reaffirmed an earlier decision to support the IARU objective of an exclusive, worldwide Amateur Service allocation in the vicinity of 7 MHz of no less than 300 kHz; and to urge the member societies of Region 3 to do all they can to support this objective. * Morse as Qualification Criteria This was another subject widely discussed with many delegates voicing the views of their own society. The views of the other Regions as well as IARU were reported. The Conference supported Morse code as an effective and efficient mode of communication. However, it believed that the position of Morse as a qualifying criterion for an HF amateur license is not relevant to the healthy future of amateur radio. Therefore the Conference urged member societies to seek, as an interim measure, the reduction of all Morse code testing speeds to five words per minute. * Harmonization of License Qualification The difference between portability of licenses and recognition of licenses for issue by another administration was discussed. The Conference concluded with a recommendation that the harmonization survey be completed. Conference also urged all member societies to respond to the survey. >>> Computerized Examination & Training System. <<< The delegates recognized the resource that is available in computer technology to support and enhance the teaching and testing for amateur radio examinations. A couple of societies reported that computerized examination systems were already in place. It was recommended that member societies consider such a system when the examination procedure in their country is revised. NZART has offered to assist with detailed information if requested. (http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/examinat/examinat.html) WIA reported on the service provided by Ron Bertrand VK2DQ/4 for an Internet based correspondence training course for the amateur radio licence examination. The web site is: http://www.qsl.net/vk2dq/raecourse.html The course is designed to be interactive with a tutor over the Internet. The purpose of this online course is to promote amateur radio and the general interest in electronics and communications. The course is available internationally either as an extension of the current Australian-based service or by setting up alternative facilities in the local area. Where possible, societies should seek out people who can act as facilitators/tutors to provide Internet training course facilities in their own countries. Member societies are encouraged, where practicable, to look at providing their own web based training courses. Support for setting up such a service is available from the VK2DQ/4 service. Member societies should publicise this unique way of obtaining the necessary training for an amateur radio license in their respective countries once suitable services are available, presenting the marriage of Internet and Amateur Radio in a positive way and providing a positive result for amateur radio in particular. >>> East Timor Amateur Radio Association <<< Mr Thorvaldur Stafansson 4W6NM, President of the East Timor Amateur Radio Assn (ETARS), made a brief report at the Conference. It was accepted by acclamation. We look forward to ETARS becoming a member society of Region 3 soon. Voting and Reporting Performance of member Societies in Region 3 Concern was expressed that some societies were not responding to proposals and reports circulated by the International Secretariat. >>> World Amateur Radio Day 18 April 2001 <<< The theme for World Amateur Radio Day has been selected as "Providing Disaster Communications: Amateur Radio in the 21st Century." The selection of this theme was based on two considerations: to assist in dispelling the notion held by some members of the public that technological changes have bypassed and diminished the future role of the amateur services, and to reaffirm the importance of amateur radio as a resource to help mitigate the effects of disasters by providing communications to aid humanitarian efforts. Member societies may wish to mark that day with a special event or program. >>> Region 3 Directors <<< Effective on October 15, 2000, the new office of IARU Region 3 Directors has been assumed with the following Directors, who were re-elected or newly elected at the 11th IARU Region 3 Conference held in Darwin in August/September 2000: Chairman/Director Mr. J.F.C. Johnson, ZL2AMJ (re-elected) Directors: Mr. Peter J. Naish, VK2BPN (elected) Mr. Young-Soon Park, HL1IFM (re-elected) Mr. Yoshiji Sekido, JJ1OEY (re-elected) Mr. K.C. Selvadurai, 9V1UV (elected) >-< Region 3 Web site >-< The web site for IARU Region 3 is at: http://www.iaru-r3.org/ Editor: K C Selvadurai 9V1UV, Director, (9v1uv@sarts.org.sg ) Publisher: IARU Region 3, (iaru-r3@jarl.or.jp ) P.O. Box 73, Toshima, Tokyo 170-8691, Japan Tel; +81 3 3944 3322 Fax; +81 3943 8282 The statements or opinions in this Newsletter do not, unless otherwise stated, necessarily reflect the view of IARU Region 3, the Directors or the Secretariat. Items from this Newsletter may be freely copied for publication by member societies of IARU Region 3.