SB QST @ ARL $ARLB015
ARLB015 7 MHz "realignment" among WRC-2003 Advisory Committee
preliminary views

ZCZC AG15
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 15  ARLB015
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  May 4, 2001
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB015
ARLB015 7 MHz "realignment" among WRC-2003 Advisory Committee
preliminary views

The FCC's World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 Advisory
Committee has approved several "preliminary views" --or PVs--on
expected WRC-03 agenda items. Among these is a US preliminary view
supporting a realigned 40-meter amateur allocation at 6900-7200 kHz
on a worldwide primary basis. The FCC is soliciting public comment
on all preliminary views by May 9.

The preliminary view was developed by Informal Working Group 6,
which is dealing with most issues of concern to amateurs. ARRL
Technical Relations Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, serves as vice
chairman of IWG-6. The PV says that, alternatively, the US could
support a 7000-7300 kHz worldwide primary amateur allocation.

Only amateurs in Region 2, which includes North and South America,
have access to 7000-7300 kHz; the rest of the world has only
7000-7100 kHz, with the upper 200 kHz allocated for broadcasting.
ARRL Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, says the ARRL
would prefer going back to the pre-World War II worldwide 7000-7300
kHz scheme. Some broadcasters, on the other hand, would like
amateurs worldwide at 6800-7100 kHz, he said, so they would not have
to move. A Radio Conference Subcommittee backgrounder from the
Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee--which reflects views of
the federal government--said the issue "is liable to be very
controversial."

Further complicating matters, Rinaldo said, is the fact that
international HF broadcasters want to fold the 7 MHz realignment
question into another WRC-03 agenda item examining the adequacy of
HF broadcasting allocations from approximately 4 MHz to 10 MHz.
Broadcasters are expected to seek additional HF elbow room to
accommodate digital transmissions to complement their existing AM
channels.

Another PV with implications for amateurs would oppose the use of
420-470 MHz for use by the Earth Exploration-Satellite Service for
so-called synthetic aperture radars, or SARs unless it can be shown
that the satellites "do not cause harmful interference to amateur
systems and stations." SARs are used to map regions on Earth's
surface and are expected to be deployed primarily over tropical rain
forest areas.

Rinaldo emphasized that the preliminary views do not represent
formal US positions and are subject to change as preparations for
WRC-03 move forward.

Comments on WAC preliminary views may be filed via e-mail to
wrc03@fcc.gov. The FCC's WRC-03 Web site, http://www.fcc.gov/wrc-03,
includes additional information as well as links to related
documents.

WRC-03 is scheduled to begin June 9, 2003, and continue until July
4, 2003. The conference is expected to take place in Venezuela.
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