International Amateur Radio Union
Region 1
Working for the future of amateur radio
Region 1 Committees & Working Groups
About IARU and IARU Region 1
What is the IARU ?
It is a federation of national associations of licensed radio amateurs representing over 150 countries and separate territories around the world.
What has IARU done for radio amateurs ?
IARU represents the interests of the Amateur Radio Service worldwide to relevant international organisations, promoting the interests of amateur radio and seeking to protect and enhance its spectrum privileges. Over the years, the work of IARU has given rise to (amongst other things):
- The HF amateur band at 10 MHz
- The HF amateur band at 18 MHz
- The HF amateur band at 24 MHz
- The Region 1 extension of the 7MHz amateur band
- Extensive improvements in international roaming for amateurs
- Significant progress towards international licence harmonisation both at "full" licence level and now at entry level
- Extensive representation in the Working Parties of ITU and at WRC
- Extensive work on presenting the case of sensible emission standards from PLT systems, involving much working in the international standards forums
- Extensive work to support the development of amateur radio in developing countries
- Extensive work in lobbying the EU political process where matters are being discussed of relevance to amateur radio.
How is IARU organised ?
The three IARU Regions are organised to broadly mirror the structure of the ITU and its related regional tele-communications organisations. The Regions comprise:
- IARU Region 1: Europe, Africa,
Middle East and Northern Asia
- IARU Region 2: The Americas
- IARU Region 3: Asia-Pacific
What are the current IARU Region 1 objectives ?
Promotion of spectrum requirements – The spectrum requirements of the amateur services are published on the IARU Web site, http://www.iaru.org
Particular emphasis will be given to restoration of 300 kHz of spectrum worldwide at 7 MHz.
Development of the amateur services – The IARU continues working with developing countries to promote growth of the amateur services and a supportive regulatory environment. To help this, IARU runs amateur radio leadership courses for developing national societies, and amateur radio administration courses for national administrations. Region 1 is also actively seeking ways of encouraging more newcomers to become radio amateurs.
Strengthening the relationship between IARU Region 1 and its member societies
Improving the understanding and involvement of member societies in the objectives and activities of the IARU, improving communication flow and growing the number of active member societies.
Improving the range of Web-based information provision on IARU matters – to make IARU more accessible to member societies and radio amateurs generally
What are the other activities of IARU to support and develop amateur radio ?
IARU organises and promotes a number of contests on HF, VHF and above. It organises ARDF championships, which have been shown to be a good way to draw young people into amateur radio. It runs High Speed Telegraphy championships. It organises training programmes for national licensing authorities in amateur radio administration.
IARU develops and promotes the consensus views of national member societies on such issues as band plans, optimum amateur spectrum usage, standards for repeaters and amateur qualifications.
IARU plays an active role in the standards-setting forums for such matters as EMC. It promotes and sponsors the growth of amateur radio in African countries, sponsors a number of beacons for propagation research, organises a monitoring service to guard amateur bands against unauthorised intruders and is active in ensuring that amateur radio’s value for communication at times of national emergencies is both recognised and utilised.
How are Region 1 officers appointed ?
The officers for Region 1 are appointed through a vote of member society representatives at the triennial General Conference. Their roles are unpaid and each appointment is for a three year period. Representatives of each Region propose candidates for President and Vice-President of IARU, whose term of office is five years.
How is the IARU recognised internationally?
The IARU is recognised by the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) by virtue of its consultative status with other United Nations bodies, i.e., the ITU. The ITU recognises the IARU as an international organisation (CV/Art.19, No. 230).
How does the IARU interact with the ITU?
The IARU is a Sector Member in the Radiocommunication (R) and Telecommunication Development (D) Sectors of the ITU. It participates in Plenipotentiary Conferences, World Radiocommunication Conferences and World Telecommunication Development Conferences.
The IARU actively participates in ITU-R Study Groups, their Working Parties and Task Groups, the Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG), Conference Preparatory Meetings, and ITU-D Study Group 2.
Does IARU participate in regional telecommunications organisations?
The three IARU Regional Organisations participate in the work of regional telecommunications organisations such as the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT), European Congress of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL).