Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union

1. The nineteenth meeting of the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union convened at 0900 local time Sunday, 26 September 1999 at the Radisson SAS Lillehammer Hotel, Lillehammer, Norway, 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 Eduardo Estrada, HC2EE, Secretary, IARU Region 2; and Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ, Chairman, and Sangat Singh, 9M2SS, Director, IARU Region 3. There were also present, at the invitation of the Council, Hans Ehlers, DF5UG, and Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS5AKV, of the IARU Region 1 Executive Committee, and Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, Technical Relations Manager, American Radio Relay League, for the International Secretariat.

2. A moment of silence was observed for colleagues who had passed away since the previous meeting of the Administrative Council, including His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal, JY1; His Majesty King Hassan II, CN8MH; Dr. John Allaway, G3FKM; Lt. Chamlong Chuathai, HS1AAM; Rene Vanmuysen, ON4VY; and Mohamed Ariffin, 9M2EG.

3. The following agenda for the meeting was adopted. It was agreed that item 11.3 would be taken up right after item 5, and that a report by Mr. van de Groenendaal on behalf of Tafa Diop, 6W1KI, in connection with item 9.1 would be presented after lunch on the first day.

Agenda

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

4.1 Report of the President -- Mr. Price
4.2 Report of the Vice President -- Mr. Wardlaw
4.3 Report of the Secretary -- Mr. Sumner

16. Drafting and approval of news release covering meeting, and adjournment

4. Reports of the officers

4.1. Mr. Price's report emphasized the need for teamwork and cooperation in addressing the challenges facing the IARU. He identified the following specific challenges: to broaden the base of participation in amateur radio, to enlarge the opportunities for the Amateur Services to provide public benefits through education, self-training, and disaster mitigation communications, and to provide a long run plan for the financial stability of the IARU and for an independent presence. He suggested that finding solutions is likely to require creative, non-conventional thinking.

4.2. Mr. Wardlaw's report noted his recent meeting attendance on behalf of the IARU and Region 3 and expressed concern about pressures on the UHF and microwave allocations that are shared with other services.

4.3. Mr. Sumner's report reviewed communications with the Administrative Council and member-societies, and the IARU Web site. He announced that the International Secretariat is preparing a list of e-mail addresses to which IARU news releases would be sent. In response to a comment by Mr. van de Nadort that mail from Newington often arrives in bunches, with envelopes posted on different days arriving on the same day, Mr. Sumner observed that international postal service is unpredictable and suggested greater use of electronic mail for the distribution of information, with printed copies sent by mail as backup. Some Council members reported difficulty in receiving documents sent as files attached to e-mail messages, particularly if the messages contain text as well as an attachment. Several members reported success using Outlook Express software; the International Secretariat was asked to recommend the settings that should be used to ensure compatibility in sending and receiving attached files.

5. Reports from the regional organizations

5.1. Mr. van de Nadort reported orally on behalf of Region 1. All Administrative Council members were present for the just-concluded Region 1 Conference and had the opportunity to experience the conference for themselves. The conference made difficult financial decisions, reducing spending in some areas (including the elimination of travel to the meetings of other regions' executive committees) and authorizing an increase in membership dues. An advisory group was established to monitor the implementation of financial decisions, and a working group was established to examine the existing constitution and bylaws of Region 1. Some conference actions will be addressed under later agenda items.

5.2. Mr. Atkins introduced the written report of Region 2 that had been prepared by Mr. Estrada. The Region 2 Executive Committee met in Miami in June with the chairmen of Regions 1 and 3 present. The Region 2 Secretary has some professional office assistance in Guayaquil. The Region 2 constitution and bylaws are under review, with any desired changes to be proposed to the 2001 conference in Guatemala. The shift to electronic publishing of Region 2 News is off to a promising start.

5.3. Mr. Johnson introduced the written report of Region 3. He expressed appreciation for the presence of Mr. Hughes at the Region 3 Directors' meeting in Yokohama in August and the hope that the cessation of such contacts by Region 1 would be temporary. The resolutions of the Beijing Conference are being implemented. The next Region 3 Conference will be held at the Plaza Hotel, Darwin, Australia, 28 August-1 September 2000. The financial crisis in Indonesia led Region 3 to make a one-time adjustment in the dues owed by ORARI; despite this reduction in revenue, the financial condition of the Region is satisfactory. JARL is assisting Region 3 with its Web site, which should be operational soon. The member-society for Brunei is being reactivated. A membership application from New Caledonia is being processed.

Mr. Singh noted the appointment of Mazlan Othman, 9M2MAZ, as United Nations Director for Outer Space Affairs. She will be based in Vienna.

At this point, agenda item 11.3, Report of the IARU Satellite Adviser, was taken up. Mr. van de Groenendaal called attention to the document, Information for Prospective Owners and Operators of Satellites Utilizing Frequencies Allocated to the Amateur-Satellite Service, attached to his report. The paper was first drafted by AMSAT and was later revised, principally to reflect changes in the numbering of the international Radio Regulations. It was agreed that the document is adopted as an IARU information paper. Mr. Sumner said the paper would be made available at the IARU Web site along with other information relating to the Amateur-Satellite Service. Mr. van de Groenendaal asked that consideration be given to including a database of amateur satellite frequencies. He reported that the selection of 144-MHz uplink frequencies for the International Space Station remains a problem in Region 1.

6. Review of IARU participation in ITU meetings during the preceding year

6.1. Mr. Price described IARU participation in the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Minneapolis, October-November 1998. IARU participation was unofficial because, owing to an anomaly in the ITU Convention, our type of international organization was not invited to participate. The ITU Convention was amended at this conference and the anomaly was corrected. Amateur station W98ITU was active from a prominent display at the conference site, and N98ITU was active from various locations around Minneapolis. After the conference, the ARRL donated to 4U1ITU the Ten-Tec transceiver and amplifier that were used at W98ITU. A specially designed IARU lapel pin was very popular with delegates, as was a reception hosted by the IARU. ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Director Robert Jones, VE3CTM, was re-elected without opposition; two radio amateurs, Hugh Railton, ZL2MT, and John Tandoh, 9G1TR, were elected to the Radio Regulations Board. The next Plenipotentiary Conference is scheduled for 2002 in Morocco.

6.2. One policy decision of the Plenipotentiary Conference was to initiate cost recovery through processing charges for satellite network filings. The IARU position was that the amateur-satellite service should be exempt from cost recovery. Mr. Price participated in two meetings of the ITU Council Working Group on Satellite Network Cost Recovery and was able to secure a favorable result.

6.3. The ITU Council met on 14-25 June 1999. No one is permitted to attend Council meetings except the representatives of the elected Member States. The Council accepted the recommendation of its Working Group "that publication of special sections for the amateur-satellite service shall be exempt from any charges." The next meeting of the ITU Council is scheduled for 19-28 July 2000.

6.4. Messrs. Price, Nietyksza, and Pulfer represented the IARU at meetings of ITU-R Working Parties 8A, 8B, and 8D, and of Joint Rapporteur Group 8A/9B. WP 8A is the "home" for the amateur and amateur-satellite services. Mobile satellite proponents continue to seek support for additional allocations through WP 8D. JRG 8A/9B is working to identify bands that can be used worldwide for fixed wireless access (FWA).

6.5. Mr. Pulfer represented the IARU at meetings of ITU-R Study Group 7 and Working Parties 7C and 7D. WP 7C is studying the possible sharing between synthetic aperture radars (SARs) in the Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS) (active) and existing services in the 420-470 MHz band in anticipation of an agenda item at a future WRC. Most of the study is concentrating on 430-440 MHz. The realignment of allocations between 71 and 275 GHz and future allocations above 275 GHz are additional topics in SG 7.

6.6. ITU-R Working Party 10A handles items specifically related to high frequency sound broadcasting. Because ARRL staff member Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, was the chairman of the US national delegation to a meeting of WP 10A in April, separate IARU representation was not required.

6.7. Recent IARU involvement in ITU-R Study Group 1 has been in Task Group 1/5, where out-of-band emission limits for various radio services are being developed. Messrs. Butler and Pulfer represented the IARU at TG 1/5 meetings during the year, and were assisted by radio amateurs who were members of national delegations. The IARU objective is to ensure that the limits for the amateur-satellite service are realistic and do not make the construction and launch of amateur satellites prohibitively expensive.

6.8. Mr. Price represented the IARU at the February 1999 meeting of the Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG). This body advises the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau on policy. Mr. Price noted that discussions have been initiated between the IARU International Secretariat and the Radiocommunication Bureau concerning a new edition of the fascicle for the amateur and amateur-satellite services, to be published as soon as possible after WRC-2000.

6.9. While most of the IARU's involvement in the ITU has been in the Radiocommunication Sector, there is increasing involvement in the Development Sector. Mr. Price attended two meetings in connection with a proposal for a Handbook on Disaster Communications, which is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2000, and a Draft New Recommendation on effective use of the amateur services in developing countries. The IARU and ITU have resumed their joint sponsorship of Amateur Radio Administration courses; the first course to be held under the new arrangement will take place in Dakar in December. The course outline was distributed. It will be presented in French by Messrs. Diop and Pulfer.

The Council was in recess for luncheon from 1242 to 1403. Mr. van de Groenendaal then made a PowerPoint presentation on the African Development Program. The program already has succeeded in significantly reducing license fees in two countries.

7. IARU participation in future ITU meetings

7.1. Remaining meetings in 1999

7.1.1. The IARU team at TELECOM-99 in Geneva will consist of Messrs. Price, Diop, Ehlers, Rinaldo, Region 2 Vice President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH, and Nasser Al Rahawi, A41KG. Mr. Rinaldo is project manager. A commercial vendor is constructing the stand. Mr. Price has been invited to participate in a panel on disaster communications at the Forum.

7.1.2. A short meeting of ITU-R WP 8D is scheduled for 9 November in Geneva. Mr. Rinaldo will attend as a member of the US delegation; no separate IARU representation is required.

7.1.3. Mr. Price will represent the IARU at a three-day meeting in Geneva of ITU-R SG 8, 10-12 November.

7.1.4. Messrs. Price and Nietyksza will represent the IARU at the Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-2000 (CPM-2000) in Geneva, 15-26 November. Messrs. Wardlaw and Rinaldo will be among the radio amateurs in attendance as members of their national delegations.

7.2. ITU Sector meetings scheduled for 2000

7.2.1 Hajo Brandt, DJ1ZB, has been asked to represent the IARU at a meeting of ITU-R TG 1/5 in Bangalore, 6-14 January. Mr. Brandt has attended previous meetings on behalf of the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club as a member of the German national delegation.

7.2.2. Mr. Price will represent the IARU at a meeting of the RAG in Geneva, 17-21 January.

7.2.3. Mr. Pulfer will represent the IARU at 24-28 January meetings of ITU-R WP 7B/C/D in Orlando, Florida, USA.

7.2.4. No separate IARU representation is required at a meeting of ITU-R SG 10 in Geneva, 10-11 February [later rescheduled to 27-28 March]. Mr. Ireland of the ARRL staff will be a member of the US delegation. A suitable IARU expert soon will need to be assigned to follow WP 10A.

7.2.5. Mr. Price will represent the IARU at a March meeting of ITU-R WP 8A in Geneva.

7.2.6. It is anticipated that Mr. Brandt will represent the IARU as necessary at July [later rescheduled to 23 October-2 November] meetings of ITU-R WP 1A/B/C, TG 1/5, and SG 1 in Geneva.

7.2.7. An IARU representative for September meetings of ITU-R WP 10A/B and SG 10 in Geneva will be determined later.

7.2.8. An IARU representative may be needed at a meeting of ITU-R WP 9B now scheduled for Geneva in September. A determination will be made later.

7.2.9. ITU-D Study Group 2 will meet in Geneva in September. Mr. Price will attend.

7.2.10. Other ITU Sector meetings will occur later in 2000, but details are tentative at this time and no determination of IARU representation has been made. The following meetings are being tracked:

• ITU-T World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, Montreal, 27 September-6 October
• ITU-R WP 7A/B/C/D/E, SG 7, Geneva, 9-19 October
• ITU-R WP 8A/D, SG 8, Geneva, 9-31 October

7.3. Regional TELECOMs

7.3.1. Mr. Leandro is in charge of IARU Region 2's preparations of a stand at Americas TELECOM in Rio de Janeiro, 10-15 April 2000.

7.3.2. IARU Region 3 plans a static display at TELECOM Asia 2000 in Hong Kong, 4-9 December 2000.

7.4. WRC-2000 and related meetings

7.4.1. The core team of Messrs. Owen, Price, Nietyksza, and Sumner was appointed in 1996 by then-President Richard L. Baldwin, W1RU. Additional delegates may be named for training purposes at regional expense. A summary of the IARU positions on WRC-2000 agenda items was reviewed, and editorial corrections made.

7.4.2. Mr. Price will attend the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA), 1-5 May, in Istanbul. The RA is the overall superior body of the ITU-R Study Groups.

7.4.3. Mr. Nietyksza will attend the Conference Preparatory Meeting in Istanbul, 5-9 June. This meeting will mark the beginning of preparations for the next WRC after WRC-2000, presumably in 2002 or 2003.

8. Reports of ITU-related IARU ad hoc committees

8.1. In the absence of Chairman Owen, Mr. Sumner reported on behalf of the Future of the Amateur Service Committee (FASC). The proposed text of a substitute Article S25 of the international radio regulations has now been discussed and agreed in all three IARU regional organizations. The substitute Article S25 assumes that a separate Recommendation containing more specific qualifications for amateur station operators, temporarily referred to as "Recommendation M-XXX," will be adopted and will be incorporated by reference in Article S25. The first step toward the drafting of Recommendation M-XXX was taken by the Region 1 Conference, which adopted a document based on a proposal of the Radio Society of Great Britain. There is no guarantee that Article S25 will be on the agenda of the next WRC after WRC-2000 (subsequently referred to herein as WRC-2003), but for now we must assume that it will. The development of Recommendation M-XXX will take place in ITU-R WP 8A; the output of WP 8A then will go to SG 8 and ultimately to the RA that will be held immediately prior to WRC-2003. This process must begin in 2000 in order to be completed in time. Mr. van de Nadort observed that CEPT has requested input from Region 1 by March 2000. He also brought forward a proposal from Iceland to the Region 1 Conference that, while not adopted by the conference, had been referred to the Administrative Council for consideration.

Whereupon, the following Resolution was adopted as IARU policy subject to confirmation following consultation with the member societies:

RESOLUTION 99-1 concerning amateur service and amateur-satellite service operator qualifications The IARU Council, Lillehammer, September 1999, considering a) that the Future of the Amateur Service Committee (FASC) established by the Administrative Council has received input from the three IARU Regions and individuals; b) that the FASC has produced four papers summarizing the views of various contributors; c) that there is a consensus that operator qualifications should be moved from Article S25 to an ITU-R Recommendation; d) that, subsequent to the issuance of the FASC reports, the 1999 IARU Region 1 Conference adopted Rec./99/LH/3.8 outlining its views on the contents of the proposed ITU-R Recommendation; e) that the proposed ITU-R Recommendation should be submitted to ITU-R Working Party 8A in time for ultimate adoption by the ITU-R prior to the WRC competent to review Article S25, noting that while the WRC competent to consider modification of Article S25 has not yet been determined, it could be as early as WRC-2003, resolves 1. that, depending upon the decision of WRC-2000 on future WRC agendas, IARU should be prepared to submit the draft Recommendation to Working Party 8A at its October 2000 meeting; 2. that the Annex should be used as a basis for the draft Recommendation. ANNEX Subject: Question ITU-R 48-3/8 International Amateur Radio Union AMATEUR SERVICE AND AMATEUR-SATELLITE SERVICE OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS Introduction This Recommendation is intended for incorporation by reference in Article S25 of the Radio Regulations. The ITU Radiocommunication Assembly, considering a) that No. S1.56 of the Radio Regulations (RR) defines the amateur service as: A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest; b) that No. S1.57 (RR) defines the amateur-satellite service as: A radiocommunication service using space stations on earth satellites for the same purposes as those of the amateur service; c) that certain minimum operator qualifications are necessary for proper operation of an amateur or amateur-satellite station; recommends 1 that administrations should take such measures as they judge necessary to verify the operational and technical qualifications of any person wishing to operate an amateur station; 2 that any person seeking a license to operate an amateur station should demonstrate knowledge in the following: Radio Regulations, licensing conditions, interference, operating skills, electromagnetic compatibility, safety, theory of electronic circuits and devices, transmitters, receivers, antennas, propagation, modes of communication, and measurements.

8.2. On behalf of the 7-MHz Strategy Committee, Mr. Johnson presented a status report prepared by the International Secretariat. The action plan and timetable of events leading to a favorable outcome on the harmonization of the 7-MHz band has been revised to reflect the fact that WRC-2003 is the earliest opportunity for consideration of the issue. There is no guarantee that the item will be on the WRC-2003 agenda. Discussion of the relative priorities of revision of Article S25 and 7-MHz harmonization led to the conclusion that the latter has the higher priority.

9. ITU and regulatory/spectrum defense matters not previously discussed

9.1. It was agreed that the Strategic Plan for the Development of Support for Amateur Radio, 2000-2001, Volume 2, Action Plan, August 1999 is adopted.

9.2. Review of spectrum requirements for the amateur and amateur-satellite services

9.2.1. Draft editorial revisions to the March 1999 edition of Spectrum Requirements of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services were reviewed and approved as corrected.

9.2.2. An information paper prepared by the International Secretariat and entitled Spectrum Requirements of the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services in the Range 71-275 GHz was reviewed. The principles for consideration of the bands between 71 and 275 GHz were adopted by the Administrative Council at agenda item 9.2.1 of its 1998 meeting. The paper describes work to date in response to WRC-2000 agenda item 1.16, to reconcile the requirements of radio astronomy with those of the amateur services. Some realignment of the amateur allocations will occur, but it should be possible to maintain the total bandwidth of the amateur allocations.

9.2.3. Mr. Sumner introduced a paper prepared by the International Secretariat entitled Spectrum Requirements for the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services in the Range 275-1000 GHz. The paper identifies the preferred bands for the amateur services in this frequency range, taking into account atmospheric attenuation and the requirements of the radio astronomy service. The paper was adopted by the Administrative Council as a preliminary statement of our requirements, but it was agreed that it would be premature to add the preferred bands to our master Spectrum Requirements document.

9.3. The status of international licensing arrangements was reviewed. Progress has been faster in expanding the list of participants in the CEPT licensing arrangements than in expanding the list of participants in the CITEL International Amateur Radio Permit. Mr. van de Groenendaal reported that countries in southern Africa are working to conclude a "roaming agreement" for their radio amateurs. It was noted that modification of Article S25 could facilitate the favorable trend toward international licensing.

9.4. Mr. Rinaldo introduced a paper by the International Secretariat summarizing the growing concern about potential interference to radiocommunication from broadband data communications using power and telephone lines. ITU-R WP 1A is taking up the issue. It was agreed that broadband power supply and telephone line telecommunications is considered to be a threat to the Amateur Services, and that both the IARU and its member societies should develop appropriate responses.

The Council was in recess from 1744 until 0900 the following day, Monday, 27 September, reconvening with all present except Mr. van de Groenendaal.

10. Reports of other IARU ad hoc committees

10.1. The Preliminary Report of the IARU Structural Review Committee (SRC) was received and discussed. The SRC has complied with its terms of reference and has presented alternative points of view on the IARU structure. Mr. Sumner was asked to edit the report to address it to member societies and to include as an additional point of view the relevant decision of the Region 1 Conference, and then to distribute it to member societies for review and comment. It was agreed that the report is accepted, that the work of the Committee has been concluded, and that a Committee on IARU Structure is created with the following terms of reference: a) to receive the input from member societies in response to the report to be circulated to them based on the SRC report and output from the Region 1 Conference; b) to issue a further report based on distillation of the views of the member societies. Mr. Price announced that the composition of the committee would be: Vice President Wardlaw, Chairman; and Messrs. Owen, Sumner, Hughes, Estrada, and Region 3 Secretary Keigo Komuro, JA1KAB.

10.2. No report was received from the Public Relations Initiative Committee (PRICOM). It was agreed to return to this item later in the meeting.

11. Reports of International Coordinators, Advisers and Liaison Officers

11.1. The written report of Robert E. Knowles, ZL1BAD, IARU Monitoring System International Coordinator, was received and accepted. Mr. Knowles reported that overall, the Monitoring System continues to function in a reasonably efficient manner given the small number of member societies that participate in its work. He noted an upward trend in South American participation.

11.2. The written report of Bob Fabry, N6EK, IARU Beacon Project International Coordinator, was received and accepted. Mr. Fabry reported that 16 of the 18 planned beacons are in continuous operation. Mr. Atkins noted that a new call sign for VE8AT is in the works to reflect its location in Nunavut, which has been assigned the prefix VY0.

11.3. The report of the IARU Satellite Adviser had been received the previous day, after agenda item 5.3. The report was accepted with thanks to Mr. van de Groenendaal for having made himself available to present it in person.

11.4. The written report of Christian Verholt, OZ8CY, IARU EMC Adviser, was received and accepted. Mr. van de Nadort noted that some elevator installations are radiating excessive RF energy, causing EMC problems in the buildings in which they are installed.

12. Operational and administrative matters

12.1. Mr. van de Nadort noted that several matters arising from the Region 1 Conference were being brought up under the appropriate agenda items.

12.2. Mr. Hughes introduced a paper from Region 1 expressing a desire for improvements in the procedures for appointing IARU experts and delegates. Mr. Sumner reviewed the evolution of the IARU Group of Experts and presented a paper setting out President Price's plan for the separate appointment of Expert Consultants and Technical Representatives, beginning in 2000. After discussion, it was agreed that the existing IARU Group of Experts is divided into two categories of Expert Consultants and Technical Representatives, that individuals so selected will be appointed for terms of three years, and that the Secretary is requested to solicit and maintain current curricula vitae from current appointees and candidates for such appointments.

12.3. Mr. Sumner introduced the budget for 2000-2002 and a review of the budget against actual expenses for 1999. He reported that spending by the International Secretariat on behalf of the IARU appears to within the budget for 1999, although a large proportion of the annual spending occurs during the fourth quarter and so it is not possible to predict the yearend result with great accuracy. He also reviewed performance against the 1998 budget; spending was higher than anticipated for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, but overall spending was less than budgeted. The budget for 2002 assumes that the next WRC after WRC-2000 will take place in 2003. Mr. Price noted that the budget provides for an IARU officer to attend each regional executive committee meeting. Mr. van de Nadort reported that the Region 1 contribution toward 1998 expenses of the International Secretariat will be somewhat larger than previously indicated, owing to corrections made since the April meeting of the Region 1 Executive Committee. It was agreed that the 2000-2002 budget is approved as proposed.

12.4. Operational matters

12.4.1. The 1999 IARU HF World Championship was reviewed. Participating Administrative Council members generally reported fewer questions this year than last about the unique exchange sent by AC and regional EC members. Mr. Estrada asked if additional point credit could be given for contacts with AC/EC stations; Mr. Price observed that that would create a greater obligation for these stations to get on the air for the event and would require changes to contest software. He also noted that the grouping of AC/EC stations with member society headquarters stations in the results and in issuing certificates was an error and has been corrected. Finally, he noted that competitive entries will have to be submitted electronically beginning in 2000.

12.4.2. The Council was in recess for luncheon from 1235 to 1435.

A status report from the International Secretariat was presented on initiatives to introduce new technologies into the Amateur Services. A meeting of several interested member societies in Friedrichshafen this year concluded that a common statement of principles is needed in order to encourage international cooperation.

12.4.3. The issue of how the Amateur Services should adapt to the rapidly changing telecommunications environment was raised at the 1998 meeting of the Administrative Council, but at that time it had been agreed that forming a committee to address the issue should be deferred temporarily. After discussion, the following resolution was adopted:

RESOLUTION 99-2 concerning growth in wireless communications The IARU Administrative Council, Lillehammer, September 1999, noting the growth in wireless personal communications services and the convergence of telecommunications technologies, recognizing that these trends are changing the environment in which the Amateur Services exist, and desiring to have the best possible information on which to base decisions that may affect the future of the Amateur Services, resolves that the President is authorized to seek nominations of qualified volunteers for a committee of no more than five persons. The committee members are to be selected on the basis of their knowledge of future trends related to telecommunications technology and regulation, with due regard to achieving geographic balance in the representation of views. The mission of the committee shall be to prepare a report to be delivered no later than June 30, 2001, describing the future telecommunications environment and the committee's views as to the implications for the Amateur Services of the anticipated changes in the telecommunications environment.

12.4.4. IARU Expert Tim Ellam, VE6SH, has drafted a paper entitled Technology Transfer and Licensing for Amateur Radio: An Intellectual Rights Policy for the Next Millennium. A copy had been distributed to the Administrative Council. The following resolution was adopted:

RESOLUTION 99-3 concerning an intellectual rights policy for Amateur Radio The IARU Administrative Council, Lillehammer, September 1999, noting with appreciation the work undertaken by IARU Expert Timothy S. Ellam, VE6SH, toward the objective of developing an intellectual property rights policy for Amateur Radio, and desiring to encourage the development of a policy that will encourage the development and application of communications technology within the Amateur Services, resolves that the following are adopted as key points to be incorporated in such a policy: (a) recognition and acknowledgment of the benefits of the Amateur Radio service in the advancement of communications technology; (b) recognition and acknowledgment of the social benefits of Amateur Radio, both on an international and national level; (c) recognition and acknowledgment that the Amateur Radio service still is a valuable and necessary means of communications for the year 2000 and beyond, providing a supporting and sometimes primary role for communications in the event of natural disasters or times of emergency; (d) recognition and acknowledgment that the Amateur Radio service is operated on a "no profit" basis and that the enhancement of new technology for the Amateur Radio service should be carried out with as little cost as possible to individual Amateurs in order to ensure the acceptance of new technology; (e) embracing and encouragement of the concept of technology transfer; (f) recognition of intellectual property rights of the Amateur Radio innovator and ensuring the protection of same; (g) fostering the licensing of new technology on a "low cost" basis or placing same in the public domain with appropriate recognition to the innovator; (h) ensuring that Amateur Radio innovators willingly agree to license their products on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms; and (i) recognition that communications technology has evolved and will continue to evolve from "stand alone" technologies to mass market products; and further resolved that Mr. Ellam is requested to complete his work at his earliest convenience, and is invited to call upon such resources of the International Secretariat as he may require.

12.4.5. Mr. Sumner presented an information paper summarizing Amateur Radio's efforts to identify and prepare for potential disruptions resulting from the so-called "Y2K" computer problem.

13. Review of matters pending from previous meetings

13.1. Mr. Sumner reviewed proposed revisions to the working document, Resolutions and Policies of the Administrative Council, August 1999. The following revisions were adopted:

• In Resolution 88-2, an obsolete reference to ITU-R Resolution 640 was deleted.
• Resolution 88-4 was suppressed on the grounds that it has been overtaken by events.
• In Resolution 94-3, the phrase in square brackets was deleted.
• Resolutions 85-2 and 91-1 were suppressed and the following new resolution was substituted therefor:

RESOLUTION 99-4 concerning terms of reference for the IARU Monitoring System The IARU Administrative Council, Lillehammer, September 1999, recognizing that in accordance with the IARU Constitution, it is the obligation of the IARU and its member-societies to defend the interests of the Amateur Services; further recognizing the valuable ongoing contribution to the defense and promotion of amateur radio provided by the IARU Monitoring System, a group of dedicated volunteers who have functioned effectively for many years under the guidance of the IARU MS International Coordinator and Regional Coordinators as authorized by the Administrative Council and the regional organizations respectively; also recognizing that to deal effectively with cases of improper use of the amateur bands by non-amateur stations requires the active involvement of member-societies with their administrations, inasmuch as the ITU, having no enforcement authority, is unable to address such matters directly; noting the desirability of having formal terms of reference for the IARU Monitoring System; resolves that the following terms of reference of the IARU Monitoring System are hereby adopted: 1. The IARU Monitoring System (IARUMS) is a worldwide service authorized by the IARU Administrative Council (AC). 2. Its objectives are: 2.1. primarily, the identification and initiation of steps leading to the removal from amateur bands of radio signals of non-amateur stations causing harmful interference to the amateur and amateur satellite services contrary to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and national radio regulations (hereinafter referred to as "improper use of the amateur bands"), and 2.2. to conduct surveys of amateur band occupancies and any other special tasks as may be directed by the AC or by the IARU regional organizations on a regional level. 3. The IARUMS operations will be directed and coordinated by the IARUMS International Coordinator (IC), appointed by the AC in accordance with Resolution 93-1, who may be assisted by one or more Special Coordinators. One or more Special Coordinators will be appointed by the Administrative Council acting upon recommendation by the IC; specialized responsibilities may be assigned to them, e.g. the monitoring of particular bands or modes of transmission. 4. Each of the three IARU regional organizations will appoint a IARUMS Regional Coordinator, under its own regional terms of reference in harmony with the terms and objectives of the worldwide IARUMS. Each Regional Coordinator shall be responsible to the regional organization that appointed them, and shall follow the directives of the IC. 5. The three regional organizations are urged to stimulate, support and encourage monitoring activities by each member-society. The AC urges that each member-society should have a National IARUMS Coordinator guiding a group of volunteers in the monitoring activities. 6. Member-societies shall aggressively pursue the processing by their own administrations of documented complaints of improper use of the amateur bands. Documented cases of improper use of the amateur bands that cannot be solved by the member-society with its administration shall be forwarded by the member-society to its regional organization. Any cases of improper use of amateur bands processed through an IARU regional organization shall be handled by the following procedure: a) The cases shall be referred to the IARUMS Regional Coordinator in the region where the transmitting station is located. b) As soon as possible after receiving a case, the IARU MS Regional Coordinator will verify the report and ensure that all pertinent information is included. c) Upon verification, the IARUMS Regional Coordinator will ask the regional secretary to report the incident to the appropriate member-society in the region. d) The member-society will promptly submit the report to its administration. e) The member-society must advise the regional secretary within 30 days after receiving the report: 1) the date the report was presented to its administration; 2) to whom it was presented; and 3) any formal or informal response of its administration. f) If a member-society is unable or unwilling to present a report of improper use of the amateur bands to its own administration, the member-society may request that the regional organization present the report directly to its administration. 7. The IARUMS Regional Coordinators are encouraged to keep a log by country in their region of cases of improper use of the amateur bands and to issue a summary report to the regional secretary once a year. 8. IARUMS Regional Coordinators may initiate direct contact with a station making improper use of the amateur bands only if (a) the station is identified to be located in a country or territory generally favorable to amateur radio; (b) it is deemed that the improper operation is probably inadvertent and, therefore, it is reasonable to assume that such direct contact may produce a favorable result; and (c) the member-society (if any) of the country in which the station is located is consulted and is found to have no objection. 9. No communications concerning improper use of the amateur bands shall be directed by Regional Coordinators to member-societies or any other entities outside of their own region without prior coordination with the other Regional Coordinator. 10. Any and all contact with the ITU involving matters relating to the IARUMS and its activities shall be made only through the AC. No contact with a regional telecommunication organization shall be made by an IARUMS Coordinator without the prior approval in writing of the executive committee of the respective regional IARU organization. 11. The IARUMS should not become involved in the monitoring and reporting of harmful interference in amateur bands caused by stations identified as or believed to be amateur stations. Should, in the course of a normal monitoring activity, improper use of an amateur band by a station identified as or believed to be an amateur station be observed, a discreet communication may be directed to the respective Regional Coordinator for a possible follow up with the appropriate member-society, but such cases will not be included in the monitoring reporting system. 12. The IC additionally shall have the responsibilities and authority enumerated in the "Terms of Reference for the IARU Monitoring System International Coordinator" as adopted in 1985 and as subsequently amended.

13.2. It was noted that the Region 1 Conference favored the production of guidelines, in the form of a policy of the Administrative Council, to assist the International Secretariat in their task of consultation prior to the nomination of the IARU President. Vice President Wardlaw was asked to draft guidelines and to report at the next meeting of the Council.

It was agreed that the Resolutions and Policies of the Administrative Council may be placed on the IARU Web site.

Mr. van de Nadort drew attention to the fact that Region 1 has not agreed to item F of the Rules for the Administrative Council Pertaining to World and Regional Telecommunication Conferences and Preparatory Meetings with regard to responsibility for ensuring proper liaison with other amateur radio groups not embodied under the IARU organization.

14. Other business

14.1. The International Secretariat was requested to prepare the following items for the celebration of the IARU's 75^th Anniversary:

• a special graphic signifying the 75^th anniversary
• a lapel pin using the special graphic
• a greeting card possibly using UNICEF card including the special graphic and the two anniversaries (75^th IARU and 50^th Region 1)
• a QSL card design for use by headquarters stations of member societies
• appropriate congratulatory letters
• an open letter to industry
• a generic article for use by member societies reporting on the anniversary
• a special observance of the anniversary in connection with ITU World Telecommunication Day 17 May 2000
• incorporation of the 75^th anniversary theme at the IS reception at Darwin
• use of the special graphic for the IARU HF World Championship
• a special edition of the IARU Calendar

14.2. Mr. Atkins introduced a paper from Region 2 proposing that Administrative Council meetings be held approximately mid-way between regional conferences rather than immediately after each regional conference, beginning in 2001. The paper noted advantages and disadvantages of linking the meetings. Mr. van de Nadort expressed concern that holding meetings away from regional conferences could isolate the Administrative Council. Mr. Hughes agreed, and observed that additional time away from one's job would be a problem for some. Mr. Johnson said Region 3 supports linking the meetings, although in 2000 there is the basis for an exception because of the 75^th anniversary observance planned for Paris in April. Mr. Sumner observed that the present schedule led to delays in preparing the summary record because of unavoidable conflicts with budget preparations, but that otherwise he was at the service of the Council. Mr. Wardlaw supported decoupling the meetings, noting that it provided the regions with greater flexibility in selecting representatives to attend regional conferences. Mr. Price observed that the 1990 Cambridge meeting, the only one since 1984 to be held away from a regional conference, was particularly productive, and that holding the meeting between regional conferences offers an opportunity to take input papers from the previous conference and output papers to the next one. Mr. Estrada observed that linking the meetings was very burdensome on the regional secretariat and sometimes led to delays.

After further discussion of the schedule for 2000, it was agreed that the year 2000 meeting of the Administrative Council shall be held in two sessions: a pre-WRC meeting on 18-19 April in Paris and a further meeting on 3-4 September in Darwin.

14.3. Mr. Sumner presented a report from Mr. Pulfer on the recently concluded course in Amateur Radio Administration held in Newington under the auspices of the United States Telecommunications Training Institute. Four students from Africa attended the five-day course.

14.4. Returning to agenda item 10.2, it was agreed that the Public Relations Initiative Committee is discharged with the thanks of the Administrative Council, and that an ad hoc group is established, consisting of Messrs. Atkins, van de Groenendaal, Ehlers, and Sumner, to review public relations activities and report to the April 2000 meeting of Council.

14.5. Mr. Atkins expressed his strong view that while the IARU itself is functioning well, and in some cases better than ever, Amateur Radio worldwide will face serious difficulties if we are unable to recruit more radio amateurs. It was agreed that the following morning would be devoted to an informal discussion of this important issue.

The Council was in recess from 1755 until 0900 the following day, Tuesday, 28 September, reconvening with all present except Mr. van de Groenendaal.

14.6. Mr. Price announced the signing of an operational agreement between the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the IARU International Secretariat. The agreement replaces an earlier one between the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs and the ARRL.

14.7. On behalf of the Region 1 Executive Committee, Mr. van de Nadort requested that the rights of the Mongolian Radio Sport Federation (MRSF) be placed temporarily in abeyance, in accordance with Bylaw 10, on the grounds that MRSF is not fulfilling its duties under Bylaws 7 and 8 and is not fulfilling its financial obligations to Region 1. It was so agreed.

15. The time and place of the next meeting was decided under agenda item 14.2.

16. A draft news release describing the meeting was reviewed, revised, and adopted.

The remainder of the meeting time was devoted to an informal discussion of the issue of amateur radio recruitment, and informal farewell remarks of the attendees.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1139.

Respectfully submitted,

David Sumner, K1ZZ
Secretary