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Author: Sylvain, F4GKR

Region 1 Multi-Operator contests September 2020 onwards
· VHF/UHF/SHF · Sylvain, F4GKR

Multi-Operator Contests bring radio amateurs together and so can represent an environment where social distancing can be difficult to achieve. We must recognize that many radio amateurs are in the older, higher-risk age groups. We had hoped that by now, the Covid-19 pandemic would be subsiding, but after improvements over the summer, the opposite now appears to be the case in a number of European countries. Despite this, we know that many Member Societies want to keep the Multi operator class in their National and International contests in 2020.

It is up to the National Member Societies to examine the situation in their own country and to decide if it is appropriate to hold the Multi-operator class in their country. IARU Region 1 will continue to adjudicate Regional multi-operator contests but at all times, contesters must respect their local, regional or national regulations on infection control.

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African Telecommunications Union meets to prepare for WRC-23
· Spectrum · Sylvain, F4GKR

Today the Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector and the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications of Cameroon opened the first on-line meeting of APM-23, which from 3 – 7 August will commence preparing the African position for the 2023 ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23). IARU is attending the meeting.

It was stated that WRC-23 should build on the successes of WRC-19 for Africa and that regional bodies such as ATU were instrumental in achieving consensus on difficult issues. Furthermore, the ITU Study Groups had also initiated their WRC-23 studies and African participation was welcome.

WRC-23 has a number of agenda items which may impact the amateur and/or amateur satellite services particularly the requirement to determine if additional measures are required to ensure coexistence with the radio-navigation satellite service in the 1 240 – 1 300 MHz frequency band. As ATU is one of the four regional organisations in ITU Region 1, IARU-R1 intends to participate in future WRC-23 APM meetings to protect amateur frequency allocations wherever possible.

A number of speakers stressed the need for the participation of women, youth and academia in telecommunications. IARU supports the need for bringing amateur radio to these sectors in order for example, to help combat digital exclusion and provide communications in emergency situations in the case of natural disasters.

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Region 1 General Conference to be in two parts
· Spectrum · Sylvain, F4GKR

In the light of the COVID-19 problems, the IARU Region 1 Executive Committee has consulted with those Member Societies planning to attend the 2020 General Conference. As a result the clear majority support an EC proposal to split the Conference into two parts, the first part on the scheduled dates by virtual means and the second part in-person on a date to be determined in 2021. The 11 – 15 October 2020 event will consider much of the “business as usual” elements of a General Conference in Committees C2, C3, C4, C5 and C7.

Amateur radio is an exciting activity, offering great opportunities to those who get involved. But IARU and its member societies face some very significant challenges for the future to ensure that in-flow into amateur radio is further stimulated and that Member Societies and IARU continue to be seen as relevant and supportive by new entrants. The 2021 part of the Conference will, therefore, be primarily devoted to an exploration of these issues and mapping a way ahead. It will be run in “workshop” format with active participation from all Member Societies present, hopefully including large numbers of “tomorrow’s” radio amateurs.

The deadline for papers for the virtual conference in October remains at 10th July 2020. Because of continuing uncertainties around COVID-19, the EC will review the likely date for the 2021 in-person Conference later this year. The deadline for contributions to the 2021 event will be set when the date for that part of the Conference is decided and will be 10 weeks prior to the event. This will also be the deadline for nominations to the Executive Committee for 2021 – 23. 

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CEPT discusses amateur radio matters
· Spectrum · Sylvain, F4GKR

The Frequency Management Working Group (WGFM) of CEPT, holding its 96th meeting virtually in week beginning 8th June, dealt with several amateur radio matters. IARU was represented by Spectrum & Liaison Committee Chairman Dave Court, EI3IO, and Region 1 President Don Beattie, G3BJ.

The European Common Allocation Table (ECA) has been reviewed, resulting in a revised version for consultation with stakeholders. IARU was able to amend the 241 – 250 GHz band entry to correct some errors. The state of the band 50 – 52 MHz band in CEPT countries was also updated to take account of WRC-19 decisions.

Last year Ukraine requested that it be included in CEPT ECC Recommendation T/R 61 – 02 which is the recommendation which defines the Harmonised Amateur Radio Examination Certificate (HAREC). This was agreed.

Romania had contacted the FMWG Chairman concerning the possibility of introducing electronic licensing for amateur radio operators. This has been passed to CEPT’s Radio Amateur Forum Group (RAFG) for further discussion and possible action. 

The meeting also discussed the way ahead on developing a regulatory framework for WPT and agreed that WGSE should continue to study the full range of WPT applications and emissions and that no regulatory steps would be taken until that work is complete.

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IARU paper submitted to CISPR on increasing noise from digital devices
· Spectrum · Sylvain, F4GKR

IARU EMC specialists Tore Worren LA9QL and Martin Sach G8KDF have submitted a paper to CISPR concerning the increasing impact of multiple digital devices on the noise levels in the radio spectrum. The paper was considered at the CISPR Steering Committee in late May, and adopted for circulation to CISPR National Committee for comment as a Committee Draft, with a view to it becoming a CISPR Report. IARU hopes that the result of this will be amendments to the way in which standards are developed, to recognise the need to properly consider the cumulative impact of multiple devices.

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