For immediate release

IARU Council Continues Preparations for WRC-2003

The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) held its annual meeting on 7-8 November 2002 in San Marino, prior to the Conference of IARU Region 1. The dominant topic was the review of preparations for next year's ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), which has on its agenda a number of items of importance to the amateur services. Several attendees will go directly from San Marino to the ITU Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) in Geneva, 18-29 November.

At its San Marino meeting the Administrative Council took the following actions:

1. IARU strategy for WRC-2003 was reviewed and refined. The agenda items of concern include harmonization of amateur and broadcasting allocations near 7 MHz, possible revision of Article 25 of the international Radio Regulations, review of provisions concerning the formation of amateur call signs in Article 19, study of a possible allocation to the earth exploration-satellite service for synthetic aperture radars (SARs) near 435 MHz, a proposed allocation for radio LANs that could impact the 5-GHz amateur allocation, and the agenda for the next WRC that is now scheduled for the first half of 2007.

2. Recognizing the growing use of power lines for high speed data communications, the Council expressed its concern that radiation from power line communications has a potential for interference with amateur radio reception and resolved to urge member-societies to recognize the importance of scientific investigations now underway and to share information on investigations conducted in their countries.

3. The Council received a report describing the ongoing cooperation between the IARU and the ITU Development Bureau, including the holding of an Amateur Radio Administration Course for Regulators in Nairobi in December 2002 under the sponsorship of the African Telecommunications Union.

4. The Council noted that the IARU is growing, with proposals for the admission of five new members now being considered by the member-societies. The Council affirmed the unfavorable finding of IARU Region 1 with regard to an application for membership from the Council of Europe Amateur Radio Club.

5. The ITU meetings at which IARU representation will be required for the coming year were identified, and plans for representation were reviewed. A series of three meetings is scheduled to deal with the interference potential of ultra wideband (UWB) emissions. An IARU Expert will attend these meetings to ensure that the concerns of the amateur community are taken into account.

6. A working document on the present and anticipated future requirements for radio spectrum allocations to the amateur and amateur-satellite services was reviewed and updated, particularly to reflect progress made by member-societies in achieving access for amateurs in the LF band in the range 135-200 kHz.

7. It was noted that a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the European and Inter-American telecommunications organizations (CEPT and CITEL respectively) that may assist in the further development of an international roaming license for radio amateurs. This is an example of the growing importance of inter-regional cooperation and sharing of information, including the desirability of regional IARU Executive Committee meetings having representation from the other regional organizations.

8. The Council affirmed its policy on Morse code as adopted in Guatemala City in October 2001, supporting the removal of Morse code testing as an ITU mandatory requirement for an amateur license to operate on frequencies below 30 MHz.

9. The budget for 2003-2005 was adopted as submitted by the International Secretariat. The budget includes provision for financial contributions from the three regional organizations to defray a portion of the expenses, in accordance with previously adopted policy.

10. Council approved the suggestion from Region 1 for the theme of World Amateur Radio Day, 18 April 2003, as "Amateur Radio supporting technology education in the classroom." World Amateur Radio Day marks the anniversary of the founding of the IARU in 1925.

11. Preparations for IARU participation in the upcoming ITU TELECOM Asia 2002 (Hong Kong) and TELECOM World 2003 (Geneva) were reviewed. Peter Naish, VK2BPN, and the Hong Kong Amateur Radio Transmitting Society were thanked for their efforts to ensure an effective display on behalf of the amateur services at TELECOM Asia 2002.

12. Reports of IARU international coordinators and advisers were received. Retiring Region 1 IARU Monitoring System Coordinator Ron Roden, G4GKO, was thanked for his service to the Amateur Radio community.

13. Retiring Region 1 Chairman Lou van de Nadort, PA0LOU, and Secretary Tim Hughes, G3GVV, were recognized for their long and devoted service to their Region and as members of the Council.

14. The next scheduled meeting of the Council will be held in Taipei on 6-8 September 2003, following the Conference of IARU Region 3.

Attending the meeting were IARU President Larry Price, W4RA; Vice President David Wardlaw, VK3ADW; Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ; regional representatives Lou van de Nadort, PA0LOU, Tim Hughes, G3GVV, Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, Pedro Seidemann, YV5BPG, Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, Peter Naish, VK2BPN, and K. C. Selvadurai, 9V1UV; and recording secretary Paul Rinaldo, W4RI.