International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 2014 General Conference Varna-Albena, Bulgaria 21 27 September 2014 Subject COMMITTEE C5 - Minutes of Meeting 01 Society Country: Committee: C5 Paper number: VA14_C5_Meeting 2 Minutes Author: Dave Court EI3IO Notes of the second meeting of Committee C5 23 September 2014 Chairman Michael Kastelic, OE1MCU, Secretary Dave Court, EI3IO Agenda Item 7. Spectrum Issues / Frequency allocations / international bodies a) ITU - Doc 36 Document VA14_05_36 from the Chairman underlines the difficulties for ATV operations in the 23cm and 70cm bands and proposes that IARU seek a replacement L band allocation at ITU WRC-18 for spectrum lost as a result of radionavigation-satellite operations. Taking account of the discussions in Agenda Item 3 and in particular that: The preliminary Agenda for WRC-18 was agreed at WRC-12 (Res 808), and The agenda for WRC-18 will be finalized, discussed and agreed at WRC-15 Matters relating to the need for possible additional spectrum, particularly for DATV will be pursued in all possible forums. b) CEPT activities and IARU representation Additional CEPT activities and associated IARU representation were not identified. c) National and R1 actions (past and planned) None identified. Agenda Item 8. Operational matters - Docs 04, 22, 24 Document VA14_C5_22, from SSA addresses the provision of compiled national information on various amateur activities on the IARU R1 web-site by means of hypertext links to other web-sites in member countries, in order to make such information more accessible. An initial activity could be the provision of information concerning repeaters. Recommendation VA14_C5_01 - IARU-R1 web-site should include a compilation of information on various areas of amateur activity through hypertext links to relevant web-pages identified by member societies. One such activity should be the provision 1
of repeater information on the IARU R1 web-site. National Societies should send their information to [ ]. Document VA14_C5_24 from SARL is an information document on Rapid Deployment of Amateur Radio (RaDAR). RaDAR is a concept for the fast setting-up and operating an amateur radio station anywhere, anytime, even in adverse environmental conditions, often encountered in emergency scenarios. The contents of this document were noted. Recommendation VA14_C5_02 The IARU-R1 web-site should include a hypertext link to a stable page on the SARL web-site which describes the RaDAR concept. Agenda Item 10. Band-planning a) General 05, 10 Document VA14_C5_05 from DARC - Band Plans and WSPR frequencies. There is a fundamental misunderstanding concerning the difference between the dial frequency and the carrier frequency, which the VHF (and HF) handbook does not address properly. The following recommendation was agreed unanimously: Recommendation VA14_C5_03 - Add a footnote concerning WSPR transmissions in chapter 2.1 of the VHF Handbook and in the band plans. The frequencies in the band plan are the centre of the transmitted frequency (not the suppressed carrier frequency or necessarily the VFO dial setting). Document VA14_C5_10 from RSGB RTTY and 4m, 2m and 70cm Band Plans The following was agreed unanimously: Recommendation VA14_C5_04 To promote more flexible centres of activity for data transmission amend band plans as follows: 6m - 50.600 MHz no change proposed but review in future 4m 70.300 MHz Delete RTTY leave channel free for more flexible usage 2m 144.600 MHz - Change to Data centre of activity (MGM, RTTY, etc.), and remove footnote (n) 2m 145.300 MHz (RTTY Local) - Delete - leave channel free for more general usage. 70cm 432.600 RTTY (ASK/PSK) - Delete - or rename to 'Data centre of activity' 70cm 433.600 RTTY (AFSK/FM) - Delete b) 50MHz and 70MHz No contributions c) 2m 08, 09, 11 Document VA14_C5_08 from RSGB Lower 25 khz of the 144 MHz band. Recommendation VA14_C5_05 In order to facilitate inter-regional sharing amend band plan as follows: Main Table: 144.000 144.025 MHz, 2.7 khz Max BW, Satellite space to earth(x) Footnote-x: No transmission shall be made below 144.0025 MHz 2
Further recommend provision of an update to IARU Regions 2 and 3, regarding the Region 1 implementation Document VA14_C5_09 from RSGB - FAX frequencies in the 144 and 432 MHz bands obsolete. Recommendation VA14_C5_6 To take account of redundant spectrum usage: For 144 MHz band o Delete 144.700 MHz FAX calling o Change 144.500 MHz from SSTV calling to Image Modes centre (SSTV, Fax etc.) For 430 MHz band o Delete 432.700 MHz FAX (ASK) o Delete 433.700 MHz FAX channel (FM/AFSK) Document VA14_C5_11 from RSGB - 144.300 MHz and 145.525 MHz Following a vote, there were 2 member societies against the proposal and 3 abstentions. The following recommendation was therefore agreed: Recommendation VA14_C5_7 To promote centres of activity and amend redundant usage: 144.300 MHz (SSB Calling) - update to SSB Centre of Activity 144.525 MHz (ATV SSB talk back) - Delete 144.660 MHz Delete (Editorial correction) d) 70cm 09, 31, 35 Document VA14_C5_09 from RSGB - FAX frequencies in the 144 and 432 MHz bands obsolete. Recommendation VA14_C5_8 To take account of redundant spectrum usage see Agenda Item 9 c) 2m above. Document VA14_C5_31 from ARI Countries without full access to 70cm band Discussion on this item was deferred to a sub working group. e) Microwave 07, 13, 32, 33 Document VA14_C5_07 from RSGB - 24 GHz band planning. Recommendation VA14_C5_9 - Continue to focus all 24 GHz activity in that segment of the band having primary status, and: Utilize 24.025 GHz as the new wideband centre of activity Delete the preferred status of 24.125 GHz for wideband usage Document VA14_C5_13 from EDR - Narrow Band Working Frequencies 2300/2400 2450 MHz 3
EDR notes that it is likely that current uses in the band 2300 2400 MHz will need to be transferred to spectrum in the range 2 400 2 450 MHz (ISM) segment and will be required to co-exist with amateur satellite traffic, WiFi and WLAN, microwave ovens, blue tooth devices and other ISM and SRD applications. Actions Arising: G6JYB to continue addressing the 2.3 GHz issue Continue discussions on this matter in the Wiki Liaise with IARU-R2 and IARU-R3 concerning a solution for the implementation of IMT systems in the 2.3 GHz band. Document VA14_C5_32 from REF - Common band segments for tropo and EME 1.2-248 GHz A study of 20 Region 1 national band plans revealed a number of common band segments for consideration. It is proposed to also study Regions 2 and 3, band plans for possible commonalities. Committee 5 considered that the detailed proposals in this document were not acceptable since there were wide variations concerning frequency allocations above 1 GHz available to the amateur service in ITU Region 1. Because of this it was felt that the information provided should not be lost and should form the basis of a discussion on the Wiki. Actions Arising: REF to initiate a Wiki discussion. Document VA14_C5_33 from REF recommending that a proposal be sent to CEPT to shift the amateur primary segment to 75.5-76.0 GHz instead of 77.5-78.0 GHz as at present for better co-existence between the amateur service and radiolocation devices. This document was withdrawn. Agenda Item 11. Contest a) Rules / Procedures general 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 34 During consideration of Agenda Item 3 an ad-hoc contest sub-group had been established. OZ7IS reported on the work of the sub-group. Document VA14_C5_16 from EDR - Contest operation on the VUSHF bands. The sub-group advised that National Societies should encourage band activity by ensuring complementary rules for activity type contests. National societies should ensure the maximum practical overlapping times. The following recommendation was therefore agreed unanimously: Recommendation VA14_C5_10 National and sub-regional activity contest rules should be complementary and activity contests should be open to all (National and International contesters) to encourage and promote activity on the VHF, UHF and SHF bands. Document VA14_C5_17 from EDR - Deadlines for submission of logs for IARU Region 1 contests. The submission timeframe for contest logs was agreed in Vienna 2013. The deadline for the 4
submission of logs is the second Monday after the contest. Member societies are encouraged to enforce this timeframe. Recommendation VA14_C5_11 In order to avoid confusion and improve efficiency, the submission of contest entries shall be not later than the second Monday after the contest, which is in accordance with the rules approved by IARU R1. This requirement shall be implemented by all member societies without further delay. Document VA14_C5_18 from UBA Sub-regional contest coordination The sub-group reported that this issue is already covered in the Region 1 VHF manager s handbook. It was agreed that a reference to the IV3KKW contest calendar should be included on the IARU Region 1 website (VHF section). Document VA14_C5_20 from VERON 70 MHz SSB/CW and MS contest. Following a vote there were no objections to the following recommendation with one national society abstaining. However the possibility of introducing a six hour category to this contest would be considered at a subsequent meeting of Committee 5 during the V-A Conference. Recommendation VA14_C5_12 1. That member societies encourage the use of the 70 MHz frequency band; 2. That every year an IARU-Region 1 70 MHz contest shall be held on the same weekend as the 50 MHz contest. 3. The contest will be a 70 MHz all mode contest. 4. The contest shall run for 24 hours from 14:00 to 14:00 UTC; 5. Stations must exchange a signal report, serial contest number and a 6 character Locator. Procedure and scoring are the same as the other IARU-R1 contests. 6. There will be two sections. One including MGM and the other excluding MGM. 7. The rules, with the exception of the two sections mentioned above, will follow the 50 MHz IARU Region 1 contest rules 8. The rules for this contest shall be placed in the VHF Managers Hand-book. 9. The chairman of the VHF/UHF/Microwaves committee shall update the VHF Managers Handbook. Document VA14_C5_25 from ZRS - Amendment to VHF contest rule 5.3.1 During an initial consideration of document VA14_C5_25 a vote was taken on the following: A station operated by more than one operator and using the same call sign on different frequency bands is eligible for multi-operator section only." This was agreed with one abstention. Further consideration of Rule 5.3.1 would take place during a subsequent meeting. 5
Document VA14_C5_26 from ZRS - Amendment to VHF contest rule 5.3.2 After a vote recommends 1 in Recommendation VA14_C5_13 was agreed unanimously. Concerning recommends 2, 11 societies were in favour, 6 were against and there were 13 abstentions. Recommendation VA14_C5_13 1. It is recommended that the text Stations operated by a single operator, with no assistance of another person during the contest should be amended to Stations operated by a single operator, with no operational assistance of another person during the contest. 2. It is recommended that the Rover category should be removed from the contest rules. Document VA14_C5_27 from ZRS - Amendment to VHF contest rule 5.2.1 Following a vote the following recommendation was approved with no societies objecting to the text modification. There were three abstentions. Recommendation VA14_C5_14 It is recommended that the following text All QSOs including unique QSOs shall count for points even if they only appear in the log of one contest entrant. The number of unique QSOs for every contest entrant should be included in the published contest results. A disclaimer shall also be introduced into the submission process that the contester accepts that all data in the log will be published. Document VA14_C5_28 from ARI - 6 hour operating category in VHF/UHF contests. It was agreed that short contests often attract greater levels of activity. Voting was conducted on the following items: 1. Introduce 6 hour section in IARU R1 144 and 432 MHz contests Agreed. However 1 society was not in favour and there were 5 abstentions 2. Single operator class Agreed with 23 in favour and 1 society against. There were 5 abstentions 3. Multi operator class - Agreed with 12 in favour and 10 against. There were 7 abstentions Recommendation VA14_C5_15 Recognising that the number of contest entries are dropping and in order inter alia to encourage senior members of national societies to enter contests, a 6 hour operating category for single and multi operator classes to be introduced in IARU-R1 [50 MHz], [70 MHz], 144 MHz and 435 MHz contests. The possibility of extending the 6 hour category to 50 and 70 MHz contests would be considered subsequently. 6
Document VA14_C5_29 from ARI - Loss of points for logging errors. A proposal to revert to a previous rule addressing logging errors which was revised at Sun City. Voting showed that there were no societies against the proposal. However there were 4 abstentions. Recommendation VA14_C5_16 It is recommended that the text Any error in the exchanged information logged by a station is liable to result in the loss of all points for that contact for both correspondents (receiving and transmitting station); subject to review and confirmation by the contest organizer. should be amended to Any error in the exchanged information logged by a station is liable to result in the loss of all points for that contact; subject to review and confirmation by the contest organizer. Document VA14_C5_30 from ARI - 144.5-144.7 MHz unused for contests The Committee agreed this proposal with no society opposed. There were 5 abstentions. Recommendation VA14_C5_217 The 144.500 144.700 MHz segment which to date could also be used for some contest QSOs should not be extended after 31 December 2014. Document VA14_C5_34 from REF - Synchronisation of microwave activity periods. A vote was taken on this matter. 13 societies were opposed to synchronising activity periods with 10 abstentions. 2 societies supported the proposal. I Agenda Item 13 Other matters 7