Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union
1. The twenty-first meeting of the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union convened at 0900 local time Sunday, 3 September 2000 at the Carlton Hotel, Darwin, Australia, with President Larry E. Price, W4RA, in the Chair. Also present were the following members: David A. Wardlaw, VK3ADW, Vice President; David Sumner, K1ZZ, Secretary; Louis van de Nadort, PA0LOU, Chairman, and Tim Hughes, G3GVV, Secretary, IARU Region 1; Thomas B. J. Atkins, VE3CDM, President, and Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Director, IARU Region 2; and Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, Chairman, and Yoshiji Sekido, JJ1OEY, Director, IARU Region 3. At the invitation of the Council, Region 1 Executive Committee member Karl Vögele, DK9HU, Region 2 Director Reinaldo Szama, LU2AH, and Region 3 Director-elect Peter Naish, VK2BPN, were also present. Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, was present as recording secretary on behalf of the International Secretariat.
2. A moment of silence was observed for colleagues who had passed away since the previous meeting of the Council, including Fred Hammond, VE3HC, Alfredo Luciano, LU6DJX, Erico Maciel, PY3EM, Nicolas Santoni, HI8RSB, Jorge Salinas Sedo, OA4FW, Randall Sutherland, J69AD, and Louis Varney, G5RV.
3. The following agenda for the meeting was adopted:
1. Opening of meeting by the President
2. Introduction of all present and Moment of Silence
3. Approval of Agenda of meeting
4. Reports of the officers
4. Reports of the officers 4.1. Mr. Price began his report by encouraging Administrative Council members to think of themselves as representing radio amateurs worldwide rather than simply as representatives of their regions. Turning to his written report, the most significant recent event was the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2000) in Istanbul where he served as head of the IARU delegation. Now, he said, we must prepare for WRC-2003. Robert Jones, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, is not eligible for re-election at the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2002, so a new Director will be in office by WRC-2003. In the ITU Development Sector, the IARU is assisting in the preparation of a Disaster Communications Handbook in which the role of the Amateur Service is highlighted.
4.2. Mr. Wardlaw's report focused on his participation in the Australian delegation to WRC-2000 as spokesman on the committee dealing with agendas for future conferences. He noted that few member societies had responded to the invitation by the Committee on IARU Structure to comment on possible changes to the IARU organizational structure.
4.3. Mr. Sumner's written report mentioned his WRC-2000 participation as a member of the IARU delegation and summarized the recent work of the International Secretariat.
5. Reports from the regional organizations
5.1. Mr. van de Nadort reported that the principal activities in Region 1 since April were related to frequency management matters. The Region 1 Secretary has been in communication with two countries regarding potential new member-societies. Region 1 had offered to fund participation in the August USTTI Amateur Radio Administration course in Newington by one student from Africa. Spectrum related activity in the European Community is being monitored by EUROCOM.
5.2. Mr. Atkins called attention to the written reports supplied by Region 2 to the Tours meeting and to the Region 3 Conference. A new Region 2 constitution will be offered for consideration at the 2001 conference in Guatemala. Discussions are underway between CITEL and CEPT regarding possible extension of the International Amateur Radio Permit.
5.3. Mr. Johnson noted that Region 3 had held its conference in Darwin from 28 August to 1 September. A summary of conference recommendations will be advised to the Secretary by the Region 3 Secretary, or will be offered at the appropriate agenda items during this meeting. Two new directors of Region 3 were elected and the officers were re-elected. The next Region 3 Conference will be held in Taipei in 2003. With the reinstatement by ITU Telecom of free space for an IARU stand, planning has resumed for a stand at Asia Telecom in December.
6. Review of IARU participation in ITU meetings since Tours meeting
6.1. Mr. Price represented the IARU at the Radiocommunication Assembly, held in Istanbul the week before WRC-2000. He noted that Otto Villanyi of Hungary has retired as the chairman of Working Party 8A; the acting chairman at the October meeting of WP8A will be Sabah Towaij of Canada.
6.2. Mr. Price observed that WRC-2000 had been reported on extensively, including a feature article in QST. Mr. van de Nadort asked how a review of terms and definitions for the amateur services in Article S1 of the international Radio Regulations had made it onto the WRC-2003 agenda. In reply, Mr. Price said that under the agenda item as adopted the review is limited to the extent required as a consequence of changes in Article S25. As long as the conference adheres strictly to the agenda item, the risk of the definitions being opened to potentially harmful changes is small. Mr. Vögele expressed the hope that, if a proposal is made by CEPT, it will not be necessary for the IARU to oppose it. The Council thanked the WRC-2000 delegation for its diligent work in Istanbul on behalf of amateur radio.
6.3 Eberhard George, DL7IH, of Germany served as Chairman of the Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) for WRC-2003 that was held immediately following the close of WRC-2000. Wojciech Nietyksza, SP5FM, who had attended WRC-2000 as a member of the IARU delegation, remained in Istanbul to represent the IARU at the CPM.
7.1 Mr. Sumner distributed the WRC-2003 agenda as adopted by the ITU Council in late July. The Council adopted the agenda as recommended by WRC-2000, including four items for which the conference had anticipated additional funding would be required. The agenda items deserving particular attention by the IARU include: 1.2, digital modulation techniques in the HF broadcasting service; 1.3, identification of harmonized bands for public protection agencies; 1.7, Article S25 (along with consequential changes to Article S1) and Article S19 concerning the formation of call signs in the amateur services; 1.20, additional allocations for so-called Little LEOs; 1.23, realignment of 7 MHz allocations to the amateur, amateur-satellite and broadcasting services; 1.36, HF broadcasting allocations between about 4 and 10 MHz; and 1.38, provision of up to 6 MHz between 420 and 470 MHz for the Earth exploration-satellite service (active).
7.2 Mr. Price proposed the appointment of a core IARU delegation for WRC-2003 consisting of himself as Chairman; Mr. Nietyksza; Ken Pulfer, VE3PU; Mr. Wardlaw; and Mr. Sumner as Administrative Officer. The members of the core delegation would be expected to make WRC-2003 a major focus between now and the conference. As in the past, the details of preparation would be turned over to the core delegation. As preparation goes forward, the delegation would be expanded as required. Mr. Price emphasized the importance of there being effective representatives of the amateur services on national delegations, and urged that the regional organizations and member societies make this a priority. It was agreed that the core delegation is created and appointed as proposed.
7.3 A discussion paper prepared by the International Secretariat concerning agenda item 1.7 was considered. Consensus was reached within the IARU in 1999 on proposed revisions to Article S25. The approach adopted at that time assumes that the technical and operational qualifications for an amateur license will be defined in an ITU-R Recommendation adopted through the normal processes of Working Party 8A and Study Group 8. Work is continuing on a draft of this Recommendation, currently referred to as Preliminary Draft New Recommendation M.[AOQ]. The most recent progress was made at the Region 3 Conference where a change in wording was suggested. The Council acknowledged this input with thanks, along with that of Region 1 societies in response to the request circulated by Mr. van de Nadort in late June. All of this input will be taken into account in the formulation of further IARU input on the subject to ITU-R Working Party 8A.
7.4 The International Secretariat presented a discussion paper reviewing the most significant threats to amateur allocations other than HF from WRC-2003 agenda items, namely items 1.20, 1.38, and 1.3. In Resolution 214 (Rev. WRC-2000), considering h) specifically notes the extensive use of the bands 410-430 and 440-470 MHz. European administrations insisted on this wording in an effort to protect their new Tetra land mobile systems from Little LEOs. Little LEO interests claim that their focus is on 450-460 MHz, but heavy opposition there could cause their attention to shift to 430-440 MHz. At the same time, 432-438 MHz continues to be of particular interest to the proponents of satellite-borne Synthetic Aperture Radars (SARs) in the Earth exploration-satellite service (active). Finally, while there is no reason to believe that the effort to identify harmonized bands for public protection agencies will target amateur allocations, the possibility cannot be ruled out.
7.5 Mr. Sumner presented a discussion paper on the 7 MHz band and related agenda items. He asked that the regional organizations keep the International Secretariat advised of the scheduling of WRC-2003 preparatory meetings by their respective regional telecommunications organizations, in order that a master time line can be maintained. It was agreed that the 7 MHz Strategy Committee is discharged and the members thanked for their valuable contributions. It was also agreed that the responsibility for preparation for WRC-2003 agenda items relating to 7 MHz is transferred to the IARU WRC-2003 core delegation.
8. IARU participation in future ITU meetings
8.1 The Council approved the recommendations of the International Secretariat with regard to IARU participation in other future ITU meetings for the remainder of 2000 as follows (venue is Geneva unless otherwise indicated):
8.2. Mr. Price reviewed plans for IARU participation in ITU-R meetings during 2001, noting that the schedule of meetings becomes more tentative as it extends farther into the future. The Council approved the following recommendations subject to such adjustment as may be required (venue is Geneva unless otherwise indicated):
Mr. Price also noted that meetings of ITU-D SG 2 and its related bodies may be held that may be of direct interest to the IARU. If so, representation will have to be considered.
8.3. Other ITU meetings of note to be held in 2001 include:
8.4. The ITU has announced plans to hold two regional Telecom exhibitions in 2001: the Middle East and Arab States Telecom in Cairo, 7-10 May, and the Africa Telecom, October/November, South Africa. Mr. van de Nadort observed that IARU Region 1 has deferred the question of funding IARU stands at these Telecoms in view of the earlier decision by ITU Telecom, now reversed, that free space would not be available. It will be difficult for Region 1 to fund participation in two events in the same year.
9. ITU and regulatory/spectrum defense matters not previously discussed
9.1. The International Secretariat presented the Strategic Plan for the Development of Support for Amateur Radio, 2001-2002, Volume 2, Revised Action Plan, August 2000. The Action Plan sets out a priority list of objectives in African countries and methods of accomplishing these objectives. The focus of the effort is to develop additional support for the Amateur Services at WRC-2003. Responsibility for managing the Plan is shared by the International Secretariat and IARU Region 1. Several initiatives taken by Region 1 to promote Amateur Radio in Africa were discussed. The Revised Action Plan was adopted.
9.2.The International Secretariat offered proposed revisions to the IARU working document, Spectrum Requirements of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services. The revisions take into account the results of WRC-2000. It was agreed that an action of the just-concluded Region 3 Conference with regard to a low-frequency allocation for the Amateur Service would be incorporated in the document. Mr. Johnson asked that a domestic New Zealand allocation at 900 MHz be reflected in the document. Whereupon, the editorial revision of the document was adopted and the International Secretariat was requested to issue the revised version, with an explanatory cover letter, by post and via the IARU Web site.
10.At this point Mr. Price relinquished the Chair to Mr. Wardlaw, who presented the report of the Committee on IARU Structure. He observed that fewer than 7% of the member societies had responded to the invitation to offer comment. There was consensus as to finances: Those commenting opposed increasing the financial burden on member societies and did not consider it to be practical to maintain an International Secretariat independent of a member society in the foreseeable future. The Region 1 Conference recommendations enjoyed the broadest support of any of the proposals for change that were circulated to member societies. Since the report had been prepared, the Region 3 Conference had considered the matter and offered additional input. No comments have been received from Region 2 member societies. There was an exchange of views, but no consensus, as to whether the level of interest in changes to the IARU structure warrants further consideration at this time in view of other priorities facing the organization. It was agreed that the report be received and noted. Thus the topic remains open.
The Council next considered draft procedural guidelines for the election of the President and Vice President of the IARU. The guidelines were drafted by Mr. Wardlaw at the Council's request and were first considered at the April 2000 meeting in Tours, where they were referred to the Committee on IARU Structure for review. Mr. Stafford offered suggestions with regard to the timing of events leading up to the nomination of candidates. The Secretary was asked to reissue the draft with these suggestions incorporated, with the revised version to be considered at the next meeting of the Council.
The Council was in recess from 1743 until 0900 the following day, Monday, 4 September, reconvening with all present and with Mr. Price in the Chair. IARU Monitoring System International Coordinator Bob Knowles, ZL1BAD, joined the meeting at this time.
11. Reports of International Coordinators, Advisers and Liaison Officers
11.1. Mr. Knowles presented his report on behalf of the IARU Monitoring System. He outlined plans for an IARUMS Web site. Mr. Sumner noted that electronic mail was being used very effectively by IARUMS volunteers to coordinate their efforts in near real-time. The report was accepted. The Council expressed its thanks to Mr. Knowles and his colleagues for their continued excellent service.
11.2. The written report of Bob Fabry, N6EK, IARU Beacon Project International Coordinator, was received and accepted. Mr. Fabry reported that all 18 beacons are in operation, but two are operating intermittently and one is not permitted to transmit on 18 and 24 MHz. Improved software tools now permit automatic monitoring and reporting of reception of the beacon network. Mr. Atkins noted that a change in call sign of the VE8AT beacon to VY0B is pending.
11.3. The written report of Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS5AKV, IARU Satellite Adviser, was received and accepted. The report requested that the Council discuss changing the definition of the Amateur-Satellite Service to insert the word "space." Mr. Sumner observed that it was already IARU policy to seek the deletion of the phrase "on earth satellites" from the definition, although WRC-2003 might not present a good opportunity to do so. The report requested the Council's viewpoint on a callsign block for international space operation. Mr. Wardlaw said the matter had been given some consideration in APT earlier in the year. Mr. Price noted that the use of the United Nations block would not be appropriate. After discussion he summarized the consensus as being that the matter was of relatively low priority. The report also referred to work in progress to fill the vacancy in the position of IARU AMSAT Frequency Coordinator.
11.4. The written report of Christian Verholt, OZ8CY, IARU EMC Adviser, was received and accepted. The report summarized the results of the 2000 CISPR Meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia. The next meeting will take place in Bristol, UK, 18-30 June 2001.
12. Operational and administrative matters
12.1. Mr. Johnson reported that the Region 3 Conference had made several recommendations that will be formally conveyed to the Administrative Council by the Region 3 Secretary.
12.2. The International Secretariat presented a proposed budget for 2001-2003 and a review of performance against the 1999 and 2000 budgets. The three-year budget was adopted as presented. The Council expressed its appreciation to the International Secretariat for its contributions well above and beyond the constitutional obligations in support of the IARU.
12.3. The IARU Committee on Growth in Wireless Communications was established by Resolution 99-2. Only one nomination for committee membership has been received. After discussion it was agreed that the nominee, Hans-Hellmuth Cuno, DL2CH, will be asked to serve as chairman and to seek additional volunteers.
12.4. Operational matters
12.4.1 A memorandum entitled The Internet and Amateur Radio Today by Pedro Seidemann, YV5BPG, was tabled for discussion. Mr. Johnson noted for the record that Region 3 Conference Recommendation 12H addressed the need to protect amateur spectrum from encroachment by commercial broadband digital communications systems and technologies and for continued work to assess the impact of modern telecommunications on amateur radio. A wide-ranging discussion ensued. Mr. Price summarized the situation as follows. Amateur radio faces great competition for frequencies. Alternative activities and communications facilities are available to people who at an earlier time might have become radio amateurs. The result is declining numbers of new amateurs and declining numbers of members of IARU member societies. These combine to place new strains on our organization. There are varying degrees of optimism and pessimism but general agreement as to the existence of a problem. The formulation of a solution will require more information in order that we may better understand all of the dimensions of the problem. The IARU Administrative Council is essentially a coordinating body and does not in any event have the resources to solve the problem. However, it is useful that the coordinating process tells us that the problem is more or less universal with some local differences.
The International Secretariat was asked to prepare a document highlighting the need for radio amateurs to support the IARU through membership in their member society in order to protect the amateur spectrum and to maintain the vitality of the amateur services. Mr. Sumner asked that the Council members share their further thoughts by the end of November in order that they may be reflected in the document.
12.4.2. Mr. Rinaldo presented an information paper summarizing recent developments in unwanted emission standards resulting from the work of ITU-R Task Group 1/5, WRC-2000, and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
12.4.3. Mr. Rinaldo presented a paper setting out the technological trends that could be of benefit if adopted in the amateur services. New technologies of particular interest include digital voice technologies being introduced in the land mobile service, higher speed radio modems for data and multimedia, software defined radios, smart antennas, and interconnection with the Internet for remote operation. He noted that radio amateurs should be particularly proud of recent developments in HF data communications system.
13. The working document, Resolutions and Policies of the Administrative Council, August 2000 edition, was reviewed.
13.1. Administrative Council Resolution 99-1 records the consensus, achieved through the work of the Future of the Amateur Service Committee (FASC), that amateur operator qualifications should be moved from Article S25 to an ITU-R Recommendation. Resolution 99-1 also sets out the process and timetable for the development of an appropriate ITU-R Recommendation. Mr. Johnson noted that Region 3 Conference Recommendation 11AA advocates a new IARU policy on the Morse code qualification and proposed its adoption as IARU policy. After discussion, it was agreed that the question would be deferred until after the Region 2 Conference in October 2001.
13.2. The International Secretariat offered a proposed modification of Policy #2 with regard to the division of responsibility for regional Telecoms. IARU participation presently is budgeted by the respective IARU regional organizations. To reduce the burden on the regional organizations, it was proposed that the International Secretariat consult with the IARU Region and the member society (if any) of the host country to determine the importance of an IARU presence in achieving overall goals, and to advise the Region of the extent of global participation in the finances and staffing of an IARU stand. It was also proposed that the International Secretariat assume increased responsibility for attempting to place amateur related topics on the program for discussion at ITU Forums. After discussion it was agreed that the responsibility for initiating the consultation with regard to regional Telecoms be placed with the Region. Policy #2 was revised accordingly.
13.3. Mr. Sumner noted that Resolutions 93-1 and 99-1 should be revisited at the next meeting, and that a minor editorial correction will be made in the heading of Resolution 99-3. With regard to Resolution 95-1, resolves 1 and 2, the International Secretariat will try to assist the regional organizations in meeting these responsibilities.
14.1. It was agreed that the theme for World Amateur Radio Day 2001 is "Providing Disaster Communications: Amateur Radio in the 21st Century." Attention was called to the guidelines concerning the event in Resolution 94-3. 14.2. Mr. van de Nadort noted that a supplement to the Region 1 report had been received in the form of a FAX from Mr. Nietyksza.
15. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Administrative Council will be from 1400 hours, 6 October 2001 to 1800 hours, 8 October 2001 in Guatemala, Central America, immediately following the Region 2 Conference.
16. It was agreed that a news release summarizing the results of the meeting would be drafted by Mr. Sumner and reviewed prior to release. There being no further business, participants were invited to offer informal remarks. Thanks were expressed to the Darwin Amateur Radio Club and the Wireless Institute of Australia for the arrangement of facilities for the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 1522.
Respectfully submitted,
David Sumner, K1ZZ
Secretary