WRC-19 Egypt

As many know, WRC-19 is taking place currently in Egypt to discuss spectrum issues, some of which have an impact on amateur radio. Discussions have just started and there are several weeks to go.

See https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/2019/11/03/wrc-19-day-5-dont-count-your-chickens/

WRC-19 and amateur radio

The next World Radio Conference is next year (2019). At it, spectrum will be discussed. I have to admit that I have not been following preparations too closely, but I expect the amateur service will be way down the list of priorities. Much more important to the national administrations will be spectrum for satellite services and for 5G. Basically, if it generates money they will be interested. If not, it will play second fiddle.

For the amateur service what would I like to see?

• Extension of the 5MHz allocation made at WRC-15.
• A 4m band throughout region 1 (possibly elsewhere too).
• A 6m band everywhere 50-52MHz minimum (50-54MHz ideally).
• Clarification that spectrum below 8.3kHz can be used by anyone anywhere on a non-interference basis.
• Access to 40MHz and 60MHz for Es research. Even a very small allocation would be useful.

Now, probably most of these will not happen!

High Power Wireless Power Transmission

According to Southgate News the IARU is taking seriously the threat of RF pollution from this source.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/iaru-addresses-new-radio-spectrum-pollution-threat.htm#.WkZwNUx2vIU

Terahertz bands

Southgate News reports on a SARL report about terahertz amateur radio. Whilst a dedicated bunch have explored optical and infra-red frequencies few have tried the bands above 100GHz. I guess the reason is gear and test-gear are difficult. At optical frequencies, I found gear and test-gear easy. Apparently terahertz spectrum is being allocated at the 2019 WRC. This was news to me.

My apologies for referring to tetrahertz frequencies earlier. Now corrected. Shades of my work life long ago!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/october/the-terahertz-spectrum.htm#.Wex7krpFzIU .

The next WRC in 2019

We are still several years away from the next ITU World Radio Conference that looks at frequency allocations. This takes place in 2019.

See http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/conferences/wrc/2019/Pages/default.aspx .

For CEPT (Europe) prep see: http://www.cept.org/ecc/groups/ecc/cpg/news/latest-news-from-the-2nd-cpg-19-meeting/ .

Personally, I'd like to see a CEPT 100kHz wide 60m allocation (secondary), a small 8m allocation (for Es research) as well as better access across CEPT nations to VLF/ULF. These will only happen if we press for them.

WRC 2019

The next WRC is in 2019. I understand the IARU is trying to get a harmonised 6m band 50-54MHz in all parts of the world.

These are the things I'd like to see:

• a 500kHz wide 4m allocation worldwide
• a 100kHz wide allocation at 60m worldwide
• a small 8m allocation worldwide. 50-100kHz wide would do
• open sub 8.3kHz to all worldwide on a non-interference basis
• a small allocation worldwide at 73kHz.

I doubt these will happen. What would you like to see?