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23cm Band and WRC-23 — Discussion Document
· Spectrum · Barry, G4SJH

As the WRC-23 approaches so the studies regarding AI9.1b (23cm and RNSS) are working towards conclusions. However the IARU is not content that all the operational aspects of the amateur service usage of the 1 240- 1 300 MHz band are being properly considered to develop an acceptable compromise for all concerned parties. You can find some more detail on the areas of concern in this discussion paper posted in the global IARU WRC23 web pages on this topic. See IARU Perspective on the AI9.1b Progress — September 2022.

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Entry Level License Class for Germany
· HF, News, Youth General · Mario, EA1JAY

Press Release by Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC e.V.)
+ DARC e.V. — Department of Education, Youth and Further Education (AJW)

Baunatal, Germany — 07.09.2022

Today, the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport presented the draft bill of a new amateur radio regulation, which will bring some innovations for all radio amateurs. The chairman of the DARC e. V. and the Round Table Amateur Radio (RTA), Christian Entsfellner, DL3MBG was pleased: “The new regulation implements long-standing demands of the DARC and the Round Table Amateur Radio. In the future, remote operation will finally be allowed. Likewise, the ministry has implemented our demand for an entry-level class, which has existed since 2008.
This will significantly simplify the entry into amateur radio.” While the existing classes E and A will be raised in level by bringing in new topics from digital technology, class N will focus on operational knowledge, regulations and basic knowledge of the technology. Holders of the new Class N will be allowed to transmit on 2m and 70cm with a maximum power of 10 W EIRP. “In accordance with international specifications, the new entry-level class is intended to offer young people and older people in particular access to amateur radio” explains board member Ronny Jerke, DG2RON. The legally specified self-building right is not limited thereby, thus also a newbie can develop radios or Hotspots themselves, develop and take in enterprise.

The examination will follow a building up system, as it is known e.g. from the US-American amateur radio examination. Here, the exam for class N is taken first, which already contains all questions from the areas of operational knowledge and regulations. Then the technical examination for Class E and then Class A can be taken.

“The examination catalogs developed by the DARC for the three classes are structured in such a way that the contents and questions are not repeated, i.e. contents that have already been tested in a lower class no longer play a role in the examination for a higher class. All future radio amateurs pass the examinations of the class N, over E up to the class A. It should be possible to take all exams in one day,” says Education, Youth and Further Education (AJW) head of department Dr. Matthias Jung, DL9MJ.

Remote operation, which was previously not regulated, has been included in the new amateur radio regulations. In the future, holders of Class A licenses will be allowed to operate amateur radio stations remotely and also to allow other Class A radio amateurs to use them. Another important change concerns educational radio operation, which will be possible in the future without a separate educational call sign. Instead, by prefixing the prefix “DN/”, any Class E or Class A callsign becomes a training callsign.

The RTA now has 4 weeks to comment on the draft regulation. The DARC board and units have already begun a detailed review of the ordinance text and will report back in a timely manner.

The press release of the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport can be read at bmdv​.bund​.de/​S​h​a​r​e​d​D​o​c​s​/​D​E​/​P​r​e​s​s​e​m​i​t​t​e​i​l​u​n​g​e​n​/​2​0​2​2​/​0​6​5​-​k​l​u​c​k​e​r​t​-​a​m​a​t​e​u​r​f​u​n​k​v​e​r​o​r​d​n​u​n​g​.​h​tml.

Attached to the press release is a draft of the second ordinance on the amendment of the amateur radio ordinance. This can be found as a PDF file at bmdv​.bund​.de/​S​h​a​r​e​d​D​o​c​s​/​D​E​/​G​e​s​e​t​z​e​-​2​0​/​z​w​e​i​t​e​-​v​e​r​o​r​d​n​u​n​g​-​a​e​n​d​e​r​u​n​g​-​a​m​a​t​e​u​r​f​u​n​k​v​e​r​o​r​d​n​u​n​g​.​h​tml.

(Original Press Release translated from German into English language by DK6SP)

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Provisional results Microwave and July Subregional Contests
· VHF/UHF/SHF · Alex, IV3KKW

The provisional results of the Microwave Subregional Contest held on June 4th-5th are available on the IARU R1 VHF Contest Robot.

We have collected and evaluated 615 logs on all the bands from 1296 MHz up to 134 GHz coming from all of Region 1.

Also, the provisional results of the July Subregional Contest are available on the IARU R1 VHF Contest Robot.

We have collected and evaluated 2496 logs on all the bands from 144 MHz up to 134 GHz coming from all of Region 1.

The complaining period for both contests will end on September 22nd, after that results will be final.

For any further requests please write to Alex IV3KKW [VHF+ Contest WG Chair].

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WRC23 preparatory activities are intensifying
· Spectrum · Barry, G4SJH

As WRC23 gets closer so the preparatory activities for all the agenda items are increasing in intensity. The most pressing for the amateur community is the 23cm band radio navigation satellite service (RNSS) coexistence agenda item 9.1b. The IARU engagement is continuing with the studies in the regulatory institutions as well as amongst the amateur community. As detailed proposals are starting to emerge so the amateur community needs to be ready to defend its interests in this band.

Most recently the Region 1 PRC and SRLC collaborated to provide a consultation response to the European Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) that develops “Opinions” on the various WRC23 agenda items used by the European Union to develop its positions on the agenda items. Of course the 23cm band related agenda item 9.1b features heavily in the response. The full IARU R1 response can be found here. This is a parallel activity to the EU consultation to which the IARU responded just a few weeks ago (here).

Following the presentations given during the IARU R1 interim conference and the HamRadio2022 event, the IARU was kindly invited to present the 23cm band situation to the eme community at the 19th EME conference in Prague. Reactions were mixed. However the IARU maintains its objective to find a solution that can facilitate all the amateur radio applications active in the band today (including eme operations) even if some compromises will be inevitable.

To progress the 23cm band studies, ITU‑R Working Party 4C will meet during the second week of September. At this meeting the technical studies regarding the amateur service and radio navigation satellite service will be developed further. The IARU global 9.1b team is preparing contributions and will be participating in the meeting.

During the same week the European CEPT will be busy with its own Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) project team (PTA) focussing on the future WRC agenda items (so-called WRC Agenda Item 10). The discussion will develop the CEPT views on those items that CEPT will propose. Already some draft proposals are touching on spectrum bands of interest to the amateur service therefore IARU volunteers will be attending and making contributions this meeting too.

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