ARLA/CLUSTER: Radioamadores do Canadá apoiam a IARU e avisam regulador que se oporiam a qualquer re-alocação da banda de 2m

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Two Metres: Re-Allocation?
Radio Amateurs of Canada has received several requests for more
information in response to reports on some websites and discussions on
email lists of a proposal to reallocate 144 MHz -146MHz from the
Amateur Radio Service to the Aeronautical Mobile Service.

The following has been prepared by Bryan Rawlings VE3QN RAC’s
representative at the World Radio Conference and the domestic and
International meetings leading up to that meeting.

Glenn MacDonell
President
Radio Amateurs of Canada

Two Metres: Re-Allocation?
There is concern – understandably – in the amateur community over a
French proposal to re-allocate 144 – 146 MHz to the aeronautical
navigation service to accommodate the growing number of aircraft
employing new navigation tracking and communication aids.

Here is a brief summary of what and where this proposal is …

The French administration have proposed a new primary allocation to
the aeronautical mobile service in 144 to 146 MHz which is the
entirety of the amateur two-metre band in ITU Region 1 (Europe, the
Mid-East and Africa). Their proposal was most recently considered at a
meeting in Prague of a subcommittee of the  Conseil Europeen des
Postes et Radiocommunication (CEPT). The CEPT comprises 48 European
states.

What is under consideration specifically is that an agenda item to
this effect be included for the World Radiocommunication Conference
tentatively planned for 2023. The WRC-23 agenda will be decided at the
conclusion of the next WRC which begins October 28 th  in Sharm
El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The  International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was present as an
observer at the Prague meeting and energetically opposed the French
proposal. In the event, only Germany among the delegates opposed the
French proposal. The issue will now be taken up at a higher level CEPT
meeting in August. Belgium has apparently joined Germany in
opposition. Should the number of administrations opposing the French
proposal reach eight the proposal will fail to move forward. The IARU
and European amateurs are now actively seeking the support of other
administrations to oppose the French proposal.

Formally, the proposal is not on the agenda of any other regional
groups preparing for WRC-19. RAC has made known to our regulator that
we support the IARU’s opposition to the French proposal and its
actions to defend amateur radio’s worldwide primary allocation and
that we would oppose any similar proposal for re-allocation in Region
2 (the Americas). The  Comisión Interamericana de Telecomunicaciones
(CITEL) of the Organization of American States will meet in Ottawa in
mid-August. The IARU will again be an observer and RAC will be
represented in the Canadian delegation.

This issue is a clear illustration of the importance of amateurs and
their national associations being vigilant and taking part in the
regional and international regulatory conferences which can determine
the fate of our most-cherished amateur bands. For a more-complete
description of these processes read the article “ The Importance of
Showing Up” in the May-June 2019 issue of  The Canadian Amateur.

Bryan Rawlings  VE3QN
3 July 2019
Radio Amateurs of Canada