The IARU Region 3 Newsletter Issue4/2002, December 2002 Efforts to achieve harmonization of the 7 MHz band continue to be of high priority. WRC 2003 is our only hope and we need to do our utmost to influence all the administrations in our Region to support a resolution of the 7 MHz alignment issue so that Region 3 will be included in whatever decision at WRC 2003. K C Selvadurai 9V1UV Director IARU Region 3 WRC 2003. Another Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) was held in Geneva 18th to 29th Nov. The item of special interest to amateurs, the re-alignment of the 7 MHz band drew intense discussion and debate. CPM, comprising world wide representatives, has concluded with 6 possible methods of addressing the issue, the last being 'No Change', leaving it to the administrations present at WRC in June/July next year for a decision. Some administrations, in particular those of developing countries, were of the opinion that, due to the technical, operational and economic impact of the proposed alignments, the corresponding time-frames need to be sufficiently long in order to enable these administrations to implement the decisions, if so decided. The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference -2002 (the highest body) has decided that if an issue was on the WRC agenda and has not been resolved, it cannot be again included in the agenda for two subsequent WRCs. That effectively means we resolve it now or never! Administrative Council (AC) Meeting An AC meeting was held in San Marino on 7th - 8th Nov prior to the Region 1 Conference. The work of the AC is mostly related to ITU matters. Hence apart from reports from the regional organizations, ITU matters took precedence in the agenda. Larry Price, W4RA, IARU President, drew attention that whatever the final outcome of WRC 2003 may be, we can take pride in the detailed and specialized preparations which we have accomplished leading up to WRC2003. Whilst there was hope that certain organizations in Europe and America would favor a 300 KHz band at 7 MHz for amateur service, there appeared to be little support elsewhere indicating that there is critical work to be carried out in the few remaining months to garner support by the other regions. A wide range of topics relating to the defense of amateur radio were also discussed, including the possible revision of Article 25 of the international Radio Regulations and allocation for radio LANS that could impact the 5 GHz amateur allocation. It was mentioned that the ITU is in the process of extending its interest and mandate into the frequency spectrum as high as 375 THz. IARU has established spectrum requirements in the band 275 -1000 GHz. It was observed that amateur bands below 960 MHz and 2.4 - 24.25 GHz could be affected by interference from ultra-wideband (UWB) devices. Specific technical characteristics of UWB devices are not available yet. Also, there is no credible information on the potential deployment of these devices. AC noted that National Societies in a number of countries continue to be concerned about the growing use of power lines for high speed data communications and its potential interference with amateur reception. AC urged member societies to recognize the importance of these scientific investigations and requests Member Societies to forward published information on these investigations in their own country promptly to the International Secretariat. There was concern expressed at the low response from member societies to proposals relating to the admission of new member societies. On a recent proposal, there was just one more than the minimum required for adoption. It is hoped that, because member societies have a better understanding of the functioning of IARU, they will be more responsive on IARU initiated matters. The AC approved the suggestion from Region 1 for the theme of World Amateur Radio Day 18th April 2003 as "Amateur Radio supporting technology education in the classroom" "The Internet and Amateur Radio Today" was the subject of a paper submitted by Pedro Seidemann YV5BPG. The paper recognized that internet chat rooms and the facility to send emails around the world may be a substitute to the satisfaction offered by amateur radio activities. An invention that is beginning to hurt us may also be useful to us. The use of overlapping and converging wire and wireless technologies is not new. The paper goes on to recommend that we should recognize that some action is needed and that the situation be analyzed thoroughly to work out the best course of action. The consultative process to identify qualified candidates for the positions of IARU President and Vice President was opened. In that regard, David Wardlaw, VK3ADW, Vice President IARU mentioned that he will be unavailable to serve another term. IARU Region 1 Conference 2002 The Conference was held in the Republic of San Marino from 10th to 15th Nov. 2002. The guest of honor, the Minister of PTT of the Republic of San Marino, Dott. Emma Rossi, in her address mentioned that any country which guarantees amateur radio, is a country where freedom and democracy are highly esteemed. Amateur radio operators are a great human resource because they are able to guarantee communications when, after terrible disasters, they can take the place of official network of telecommunications when these are destroyed or cut off. There are features of Region 1 which are different to Region 3. Region 1 has committees for many topics on an on-going basis to cover periods between conferences. That arrangement provides an avenue for surfacing problems and issues that may arise at any time. Whilst we at Region 3 may not have such an arrangement, Member Societies are invited to communicate any matter, whether of urgent concern or otherwise, to the Secretariat for consideration by the Directors. Many resolutions were passed after discussions on wide ranging subjects. The frequencies 3.555, 14.055, 21.055 and 28.0555 have been set as CW QRS centres of activity where radio amateurs who want to develop their CW could meet one another. This approach is of particular relevance at the present time when Morse Code is being given lower importance as an examination subject. In the same vein, the frequencies 3.560, 7.030, 14.060, 21.060, 28.060 are being defined as QRP centres of activity where amateurs who want to perform low power contacts could meet one another. Operators in Region 3 with interest in CW and QRP may wish to make a note of these frequencies. Lou van de Nadort PA0LOU and Tim Hughes G3GVV stepped down as President and Secretary of Region 1. They are succeeded by Ole Garpestaad LA2RR as President and Don Beattie G3BJ as Secretary. Considering that the total population of San Marino is just 28,000 with a little over 25 members in the radio society, ARRSM did very well in organizing and playing host to the Conference. Region 3 Directors Meeting. A meeting of your Directors was held from 5th to 7th Sept 2002 in Taipei. Reports by Directors as well as Chairman/Coordinators of Working Groups were considered. The Directors expressed their special thanks to Jamie Pye, ZL2ANN, Beacon Coordinator, for his work under restricted physical health conditions after his accident. Jamie wishes to step down from that position at the next Conference and will not be available for nomination. The Directors observed that responses to STARS*** questionnaires from most developing Societies was poor. A Committee for Disaster Communications was set up with Brian ZL2ADL being appointed interim Chairman. The Directors discussed three matters of topical interest: Diminishing Numbers of Radio Amateurs, Increase of Membership in Member Societies through those already Licensed, and Promoting Amateur Radio amongst Women. The views expressed will be documented in the Directors Report to the next Region 3 Conference to be held in Sept 03. 12th IARU Region 3 Conference. The Secretariat has sent out a circular to all Member Societies to advise that the next Region 3 Conference will be held from Mon 1 Sept to Fri 5 Sept 2003 in Taipei. Since this will be the first IARU Regional Conference after WRC 2003, the Directors have decided to hold a special workshop dedicated to discussion of WRC 03 matters and the follow up action that may be required. There will also be a workshop on the duties and responsibilities of an IARU Liaison Officer. The advantage of a previous attendee being a delegate to the Conference is the application of experience gained. But for continuity and gaining an understanding and insight of the work and responsibilities of IARU, there is much merit in the delegate being a first timer. The ideal would be for a delegation with a mix between the two categories. However, the size of a delegation and its composition will be determined by the resources available. Member Societies are requested to commence their planning for attendance at this Conference. Given the discussion of WRC 2003 matters, it is going to be an important event in the calendar of Region 3. All Member Societies are requested to make every endeavor to send at least one representative as delegate. The Region 3 Web site Go to: http://www.iaru-r3.org/ Newsletter Editor: K C Selvadurai 9V1UV, Director IARU Region 3, 9v1uv@sarts.org.sg Publisher: The International Amateur Radio Union Region 3, P.O. Box 73, Toshima, Tokyo 170-8691, Japan. iaru-r3@jarl.or.jp Tel: +81 3 3944 3322 Fax: +81 3943 8282 The statements or opinions in this Newsletter do not, unless otherwise stated, necessarily reflect the views of IARU Region 3, the Directors or the Secretariat. Items from this Newsletter may be freely copied for publication by member societies of IARU