Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union
1. The twentieth meeting of the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union convened at 0900 local time Tuesday, 18 April 2000 at the headquarters of REF-Union, Tours, France, 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. At the invitation of the Council, Region 1 Executive Committee member Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, and Region 2 Treasurer Noel Donawa, 9Y4NED, were also present.
2. A moment of silence was observed for colleagues who had passed away since the previous meeting of the Council, including Henryk Cichon, SP9ZD, Ong Choo Lye, 9M2JL, and Ken McGuire, ZL2MA.
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
5. Reports from the regional organizations
5.1 Region 1 -- Mr. van de Nadort
5.2 Region 2 -- Mr. Atkins
5.3 Region 3 -- Mr. Johnson
6. Noting of reports of IARU participation in ITU meetings during the preceding six months
6.2. CPM-99, Geneva, 15-26 Nov 1999
6.3. ITU-R Study Group 7 and its relevant Working Parties
6.6. ITU Reform, WRG-2, Geneva, 3-7 Apr
6.7. ITU-D Study Group 2
6.8. Telecoms
7. World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2000), Istanbul, 8 May-2 June, and related meetings
7.1. IARU Positions on WRC-2000 Agenda Items
7.2. ITU-R RA, Istanbul, 1-5 May
7.3. ITU-R CPM-2003-1, Istanbul, 5-9 June
7.4. IARU reception, 17 May, and luncheon, 22 May
8. Discussion of IARU participation in other future ITU meetings
8.1. ITU-R WP 7B/C/D/E, Canada, August
8.2. ITU-R WP 10A/10B, Geneva, 18-22 Sep
8.3. ITU-R SG 10, Geneva, 25-27 Sep
8.4. ITU-R WP-9B, Geneva, 18-26 Sep
8.5. ITU-D SG 2, Geneva, 22-28 Sep
8.6. ITU-T WTSA, Montreal, 27 Sep-6 Oct
8.7. ITU-R SG 7, Geneva, 18-19 Oct
8.8. ITU-R WP 8A, Geneva, 9-18 Oct
8.9. ITU-R WP 8B/D, Geneva, 17-27 Oct
8.10. ITU-R SG 8, Geneva, 30-31 Oct
8.11. ITU-R TG 1/5, WP 1A/B/C, Geneva, 23-31 Oct
8.12. ITU-R SG 1, Geneva, 1-2 Nov
8.13. ITU Reform WGR-3, Geneva, 6-10 Nov
9. Other ITU meetings of note scheduled for 2000
9.1. ITU Council, Geneva, 19-28 July
9.2. Asia Telecom 2000, Hong Kong, 4-9 Dec
10. Reports of IARU Ad Hoc Committees
10.1. 7-MHz Strategy Committee
10.2. Committee on IARU Structure
10.3. Ad Hoc Group to Review Public Relations Activities
10.4. Committee on Growth in Wireless Communications
11. Operational and administrative matters
11.1. New technologies in the amateur services
11.2. New data modes and IARU band planning
11.3. Report on 5 MHz experiments
11.4. Report on UN Pactor Network Tests.IARU
11.5. Any other operational matters
12.1. Changes in definition of ITU Radio Regions
12.2. Any other business
13. Next meeting of Administrative Council
13.1. Format of agenda for next meeting
13.2. Confirmation of date and place of next meeting
14. Drafting and approval of news release, and adjournment
4.1. Mr. Price reported considerable time since the Lillehammer meeting had been spent representing the IARU and the Amateur Services at various ITU meetings. He called particular attention to expanding opportunities to contribute to the work of the ITU Development Sector and the implications of ITU reform.
4.2. Mr. Wardlaw reported attending WRC-2000 preparatory meetings of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and the final Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) for WRC-2000. He presented draft guidelines of procedures for the election of the president and vice president of the IARU that he had been asked to prepare at the previous meeting. He also noted his participation in the work of the Committee on IARU Structure.
4.3. Mr. Sumner noted that the ARRL Technical Relations staff in Washington is now responsible for supporting the technical representation of the IARU on behalf of the International Secretariat. A mail vote of the Administrative Council to lift the temporary suspension of rights of the Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio Association was completed on 21 March. Association des Radio-Amateurs de Nouvelle-Caledonie was admitted to IARU membership on 22 March. He observed that many IARU member-societies are grappling with difficult financial problems; the worldwide population of radio amateurs is the highest ever recorded, but membership in IARU member-societies has declined by 21% from its all-time high in 1995.
5. Reports from the regional organizations
5.1. Mr. van de Nadort reported for Region 1, whose Executive Committee had just completed a three-day meeting. The region has been looking after its core business, the preservation of Amateur Radio frequencies. Membership in the Region 1 member-societies is expected to continue to decline slightly, at least in part because of the impact of the Internet.
5.2. Mr. Atkins reported for Region 2. The region organized a successful stand at Americas Telecom 2000 in Rio de Janeiro the previous week. Last fall, Mr. Atkins and Mr. Donawa visited several island nations in the Caribbean to strengthen ties with their member-societies. Seven issues of the electronic version of Region 2 News have been produced and distributed in both English and Spanish, and the Region 2 Web site provides a wealth of information. The Region 2 Secretary has a full-time paid assistant working in office space generously provided at no cost by the Guayaquil Radio Club.
5.3. Mr. Johnson reported for Region 3. Plans for an Asia Telecom stand have been put on hold following news that space for the stand may no longer be available on the same basis as previously. Plans are proceeding for the Region 3 Conference to be held in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 28 August to 1 September 2000. Members of the Administrative Council and of the Executive Committees of Regions 1 and 2 were cordially invited to attend the Conference and the associated Region 3 Directors' Meeting.
6. IARU participation in recent ITU meetings
6.1. ITU-R Study Group 8 is the "home" study group for the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services. For many years the chairman has been Eberhard George, DL7IH, who is retiring next month. The new chairman has not been selected although it is likely to be someone known to us, but not a radio amateur. In March, the IARU submitted a Preliminary Draft New Recommendation (PDNR) concerning Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Service Operator Qualifications for consideration by Working Party 8A. The purpose of the PDNR, which is based on Administrative Council Resolution 99-1, was to initiate study of the issue prior to the meeting of WP 8A in October. The study is expected to be conducted in a Correspondence Group chaired by Paul Rinaldo, W4RI. The IARU is continuing its involvement in Working Party 8D to guard against further moves against amateur allocations by "little LEO" proponents.
6.2. Mr. Price's earlier written report on the 1999 Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-2000 was noted. He and Wojciech Nietyksza, SP5FM, represented the IARU. Amateur Radio was specifically represented on two national delegations, by IARU Vice President Wardlaw (Australia) and Mr. Rinaldo (USA). Several other amateurs were also present in key positions. Attendance at the CPM was much larger than at similar meetings in the past, with approximately 1,000 attendees. In essence it was "WRC-2000, Round One."
6.3. The two issues of particular interest in ITU-R Study Group 7 are radioastronomy allocations above 71 GHz and the Earth Exploration Satellite Service (EESS) for which an allocation is being sought in the vicinity of 430 MHz. Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, represented the IARU at meetings of ITU-R Working Parties 7C and 7D in Orlando, 24 -- 28 January 2000.
6.4. The major issue of interest in ITU-R Study Group 1 is the ongoing work in Task Group 1/5 to develop out-of-band (OOB) emission limits for all radio services and to review the spurious emission limits of the space services. The present status of the work is satisfactory to the Amateur Services and our mission is to avoid undesirable changes in what has already been agreed. Hans-Joachim Brandt, DJ1ZB, represented the IARU at the meeting of TG 1/5 in Bangalore, 6 -- 14 January 2000.
6.5. Mr. Price attended the meeting of the ITU-R Radiocommunication Advisory Group (RAG) in Geneva, 17 -- 21 January 2000. The RAG was formed as a result of an earlier ITU reform in 1992 and since its inception has been chaired by Michael Goddard of the UK Radiocommunications Agency. The RAG advises the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau on a wide range of matters including the budget.
6.6. Mr. Price attended the second meeting of the ITU Reform Working Group of the Council in Geneva, 3 -- 7 April 2000. His report emphasized the significance of the growing influence of the private sector in ITU decision making, particularly with regard to setting technical standards.
6.7. Mr. Price reported on a meeting of contributors and editors who are working on a Disaster Communications Handbook (DCH) for developing countries. The DCH is a project of the ITU Development Sector. Hans Zimmermann of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is the principal editor. The meeting was held at the ARRL Technical Relations office near Washington, DC, on 27 -- 29 March 2000. An outline for the DCH was finalized and a timetable for completion of the work was agreed. The role of the Amateur Service in disaster communications is a principal focus of the DCH. At this point, at 1235, the Council went into recess in order to travel to Paris for the ceremony marking the 75 th anniversary of the founding of the IARU. The meeting resumed the following day, Wednesday, 19 April 2000, at 0855 with all attendees present.
6.8. Experience with the IARU stand at Telecom 99 in Geneva, 9 -- 17 October 1999, was reviewed in detail. While the stand was successful, several opportunities for improvement have been noted for future guidance. Telecom officials have notified the IARU that exhibit space may no longer be available on the basis of reciprocity. The cost of renting exhibit space at commercial rates would make IARU participation in Telecoms difficult. Mr. Price noted that it is also important to take advantage of any opportunity to participate in the Forum that is held at the same time and place as the Telecom. There was general agreement that the role of Amateur Radio in education would be a suitable theme for a future Telecom stand. The ability of the IARU to provide a suitable stand depends upon the commitment of resources, but it is unclear how high a priority the Council has assigned to Telecoms relative to other projects that have been undertaken or are envisaged.
7. WRC-2000 and related meetings
7.1. A draft brief for IARU delegates to WRC-2000 was reviewed and minor changes were agreed. Whereupon, the brief for the IARU delegation to WRC-2000 was adopted as revised. Revised terms of reference for IARU delegates to ITU meetings were adopted with minor editorial change.
7.2. A draft brief for the IARU delegation to the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-2000) was reviewed and adopted as drafted.
7.3. A draft brief for the IARU delegation to the first Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM-1) for the 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-2003) was reviewed and adopted as drafted.
7.4. Mr. Price reported on plans for an IARU reception to be held during WRC-2000. The reception is scheduled for the evening of 17 May. Approximately 200 guests are expected. A small luncheon will be hosted sometime the following week if it appears desirable to do so.
8. 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:
9. Other ITU meetings of note scheduled for 2000
9.1. The ITU Council will meet 19 -- 28 July. Observers are not permitted. It is possible that this meeting will resolve the issue of the date and place for WRC-2003.
9.2. In view of the uncertain availability of exhibit space at Asia Telecom 2000, Hong Kong, 4 -- 9 December, Region 3 has tentatively decided not to participate. The decision is subject to change should exhibit space become available as in the past.
10. Reports of IARU ad hoc committees
10.1. Mr. Johnson reported for the 7 MHz Strategy Committee. The committee is awaiting word as to whether the 7 MHz matter will be on the WRC-2003 agenda. In the meantime, the International Secretariat has updated the Action Plan and Timetable. Mr. Johnson noted that there was no mechanism for reviewing the appointment of committee chairmen and requested guidance from the Council as to. its desires. Council members affirmed their desire that he continue as chairman with assistance provided by Mr. Sumner.
10.2. Mr. Wardlaw provided an interim report for the Committee on IARU Structure. Ten member-societies provided timely responses to the invitation to comment on various aspects of the structural issues. The responses are being reviewed with a view to offering a recommendation for consideration at the next meeting of Council.
10.3. There was no report from the ad hoc group to review public relations activities. The efforts of committee member Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS5AKV, to assemble a multimedia presentation for the IARU 75 th anniversary were noted with appreciation. Possible improvements to the IARU Web presence were discussed. Council members observed that there were inherent difficulties in relying on the efforts of volunteers in mounting an international public relations campaign. The ad hoc group was discharged. The Council observed that within available resources, no satisfactory means has been found to accomplish effective public relations from a central point on behalf of the IARU.
10.4. Mr. Price invited nominations of qualified volunteers to serve on the Committee on Growth in Wireless Communications. Mr. van de Nadort renewed an earlier suggestion and nominated Hans-Hellmuth Cuno, DL2CH. There were no specific nominations from the other regions. Council agreed that Mr. Price should proceed to appoint the committee, with due regard to achieving geographic balance.
11. Operational and administrative matters
11.1. A report by the International Secretariat on the need to introduce new technologies in the Amateur Service was introduced. Noting with considerable interest the subject of new technologies in the Amateur Service, the Council requested that the International Secretariat develop a draft plan for bringing new technologies into the Amateur Service and provide it to the Council at its next meeting.
11.2. A brief report by the International Secretariat on new data modes and IARU band planning was considered. It was agreed that Council representatives are urged as an urgent matter to request their experts to review the status of data modes of various kinds in light of recent developments in this field.
11.3. The International Secretariat provided a progress report on the FCC-authorized experiments being conducted near 5 MHz in support of an amateur allocation at this order of frequency. Interest was expressed in expanding this experimental activity to countries outside of the United States.
11.4. The International Secretariat reported on a successful test in which amateur station W1AW was added to a UN HF data network to provide backup in connection with the "Y2K" potential emergency condition.
11.5. Rules for the IARU HF World Championship were discussed. Council members expressed the desire that rules changes necessary for the efficient. processing of entries from serious competitors should not discourage more casual participants from submitting entries.
12.1. Mr. Sumner provided a report on the amendment to Bylaw 14 that would be required to bring the definitions of the IARU Regions into alignment with the current ITU definitions. The amendments are the result of political changes; no areas would move from one Region to another. It is not timely to propose such an amendment now, but it may be appropriate to do so later.
12.2. Mr. Singh circulated a request from the United Nations Director for Outer Space Affairs, Mazlan Othman, that radio amateurs undertake special observance of UN World Space Week, 4 -- 10 October 2000. The request was acknowledged with thanks and will be shared with Amsat organizations worldwide.
12.3. Mr. Wardlaw's draft guidelines of procedures for the election of the president and vice president of the IARU were discussed. It was agreed that the guidelines are referred to the Committee on IARU Structure for review.
13.1. Mr. Price noted that ITU matters tend to dominate the agenda of Council meetings. He proposed that the agenda for the next meeting be divided so that ITU matters are all considered on one day with the second day devoted to Amateur Radio operational matters. Council members offered suggestions on how to reduce the volume of documentation distributed for Council meetings. It was agreed that documentation for the next meeting would be distributed on CD-ROM. As Secretary, Mr. Sumner said he preferred also to provide printed documents so as not to transfer the task of printing documents from the Secretariat to the individual Council members.
13.2. It was confirmed that the next meeting will be held at the Carlton Hotel, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, beginning at 0900 local time on Sunday, 3 September 2000, and concluding on Monday, 4 September.
14. It was agreed that a news release summarizing the results of the meeting would be drafted by Mr. Sumner and reviewed at the hotel prior to release. There being no further business, participants were invited to offer informal remarks. The Council expressed its appreciation to REF-Union for its hospitality in providing the meeting site. The meeting was adjourned at 1619.
Respectfully submitted,
David Sumner, K1ZZ Secretary