====== TWO METERS ALERT ====== Curation des informations concernant la menace de la suppression de l'allocation primaire de la bande 2m (144~146 MHz) en zone ITU 1 aux seuls radioamateurs. ===== Site web info / debunking Thales ===== * https://www.save2m.org/ ===== 5 juillet 2019 =====
In our next step in an ongoing effort to protect the 144MHz band, the RSGB President has written to Ofcom regarding the recent World Radio Conference WRC-23 aeronautical proposal. Our input summarises the basis for our deep concerns, but also includes an appendix highlighting the multi-faceted nature of amateur radio activity and innovation in this strategically important global Primary allocation. This comes in the run up to a key CEPT meeting in August, where its 48 member states—including the UK—will confirm their common positions for the World Radio Conference this autumn. The letter also includes requests regarding other WRC agenda items including 50MHz, 23cm/Galileo and wireless power. The RSGB anticipates being able to publish more details and supporting material in due course.
Source : https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/headlines/2019/07/05/rsgb-president-writes-to-ofcom-about-144mhz/ ===== 1er juillet 2019 =====
RSGB has been a key part of a joint International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) effort and are working hard on both national and international levels to ensure a positive outcome for World Radio Conference-19 (WRC-19) items (50 MHz, Wireless Power, microwave bands etc) and WRC-23 Agenda proposals (144-146 MHz and 23cms). With regard to 144-146 MHz, for the avoidance of doubt we have been deeply engaged in the joint IARU effort regarding future agenda items (which has also included 23cm/Galileo). If adopted and agreed, a French proposal would add aeronautical mobile across the global Primary 144-146 MHz amateur and amateur satellite allocation. As proposed, it is not an eviction or re-allocation of amateurs, but nonetheless is unwelcome and presents significant challenges. Unlike some other bands where amateurs do share, aeronautical applications are amongst the most difficult due to the altitudes and long free-space distances involved. The timeline for future WRC items is much tighter than some may realise with final European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) decisions made during 26-30 August 2019 (CEPT-Conference Planning Group Meeting #9 in Ankara), for those proposals that will then be put forward to ITU WRC-19 in October. If agreed, at WRC, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) would start work on them in Nov-2019 and that would continue during 2020-2023 for WRC-23. Clearly if an item can be kept off the agenda, it can save years of significant effort and uncertainty. For our region, CEPT Project Team A (CEPT-PTA) is the group that is tasked with such proposals. Briefly to date:- April: CEPT PTA Meeting#6 Bucharest, April 1-5 – This was the first consideration of various proposals including an earlier version of the French aeronautical proposal. The IARU representative succeeded in requesting it be re-scoped to be bands above 146 MHz (instead of bands above 144 MHz). May: Friday 31 May – RSGB attended Ofcom’s preparatory (International Frequency Planning Group) meeting for future agenda items ahead of PTA#7 below, making our positions clear on both 23cm/Galileo and 144 MHz. At the time, the newer French aeronautical proposal (Doc PTA(19)090 which specifically identifies 144-146 MHz) was not available and no formal position was taken by Ofcom. June: CEPT PTA Meeting#7 Prague, 17-21 June – As widely reported, despite efforts before and at the meeting, most regulators were neutral and the aeronautical proposal was therefore adopted by CEPT. The minutes include a strong statement by IARU but the proposal went forward to the higher level CEPT-CPG body that will decide in late August. For info: CEPT has 48 member states and a proposal needs >10 administrations in favour and no more than 6 objections, thus neutral positions can therefore be quite dangerous. For info in PTA#7 only the German administration (BNetzA) objected to the inclusion of 144-146 MHz. Once agreed a proposal becomes a ‘Common Proposal’ that all 48 states are expected to sign up to and propose at WRC. (Some may also be subject to European Commission policy as well) Since PTA#7 our work has continued. RSGB has been busy preparing further inputs to stress the importance, innovation, investment and complexity present in the 144 MHz band. We are also in receipt of the latest IARU briefing material as part of ongoing efforts for all Member Societies to lobby their regulators ahead of the August CEPT-CPG meeting. We are very aware that this topic has understandably animated and concerned the community, with a number of online petitions amongst other media threads. However it is important that these and other comments should be based on the correct background facts. It would be unfortunate if ‘careless comments cost bands’. This issue and indeed our wider work on Spectrum/EMC is an illustration if one was ever needed for amateur radio to speak with a unified voice.
Source : https://rsgb.org/main/blog/front-page-news/2019/07/01/144-mhz-and-the-wrc-process/ ===== 30 Juin 2019 =====
« As most of you probably are aware, for example from the email by John, G4SWX, dated June 6th the French administration at short notice had handed in a modified a proposal to WRC-19 preparatory groups at CEPT that WRC-19 should decide on feasibility studies for additional Aeronautical-Mobile-Services(AMS) allocations in the range from 144 MHz to 22.2 GHz. Since I have some insight in this matter I would like to give you a short information update on the situation. If this proposal in its current version is endorsed at the next meeting of the CEPT Conference Preparatory Group in August it is highly likely that it will appear on the agendas of WRC-19 and WRC-23 where a final decision will be made. At least 10 of the 48 CEPT countries have to be in favour of this proposal while not more than 6 must be against this. During the recent Meeting of the CEPT Project Team A in Prague this proposal by France was being discussed for the first time. Only the German delegation made it clear that they are against this proposal including 144-146 MHz. The main reason for that little opposition might be that the 2 m band was included in the revised version of that French proposal only few days before the deadline for the Prague meeting. Consequently most other European countries had no time for internal discussions let alone formulating their position. IARU, being supported by regulatory experts of their member associations (RSGB, DARC, VERON etc) is intensively working on executing their influence within the current process and trying to keep the 2 m band as it is now. By the way, the cost of this activities is covered by the funds resulting from the contributions of the IARU member societies. So those who left their county’s amateur radio society should perhaps reconsider their decision. Without the commitment and the funds the amateur radio community would have little influence in that process, let alone could be present at the relevant meetings. Most importantly, amateur radio should speak with a single voice only. So I would like to ask everybody to refrain from using maybe good personal contacts to your government or the EU. This would weaken our position and take away power and vigour from the systematic approach by IARU and country amateur radio societies. This particularly applies for online petitions in the WWW.which by the way do not even base on a correct facts background. »
73 Bernd DF2ZC, designated Frequency Manager DARC
Latest News On the Current 2 m Band Allocation Discussion As most of you probably are aware, for example from the email by John, G4SWX, dated June 6th the French administration at short notice had handed in a modified a proposal to WRC-19 preparatory groups at CEPT that WRC-19 should decide on feasibility studies for additional Aeronautical-Mobile-Services(AMS) allocations in the range from 144 MHz to 22.2 GHz. Since I have some insight in this matter I would like to give you a short information update on the situation. If this proposal in its current version is endorsed at the next meeting of the CEPT Conference Preparatory Group in August it is highly likely that it will appear on the agendas of WRC-19 and WRC-23 where a final decision will be made. At least 10 of the 48 CEPT countries have to be in favour of this proposal while not more than 6 must be against this. During the recent Meeting of the CEPT Project Team A in Prague this proposal by France was being discussed for the first time. Only the German delegation made it clear that they are against this proposal including 144-146 MHz. The main reason for that little opposition might be that the 2 m band was included in the revised version of that French proposal only few days before the deadline for the Prague meeting. Consequently most other European countries had no time for internal discussions let alone formulating their position. IARU, being supported by regulatory experts of their member associations (RSGB, DARC, VERON etc) is intensively working on executing their influence within the current process and trying to keep the 2 m band as it is now. By the way, the cost of this activities is covered by the funds resulting from the contributions of the IARU member societies. So those who left their county's amateur radio society should perhaps reconsider their decision. Without the commitment and the funds the amateur radio community would have little influence in that process, let alone could be present at the relevant meetings. Most importantly, amateur radio should speak with a single voice only. So I would like to ask everybody to refrain from using maybe good personal contacts to your government or the EU. This would weaken our position and take away power and vigour from the systematic approach by IARU and country amateur radio societies. This particularly applies for online petitions in the WWW.which by the way do not even base on a correct facts background. 73 Bernd DF2ZC, designated Frequency Manager DARC
Source : http://mailman.pe1itr.com/pipermail/moon-net/2019-June/039773.html ===== 21 juin 2019 =====
The IARU was represented this week at the meeting of CEPT Project Team A—one of the groups leading WRC-19 preparations—which finished in Prague on Friday, 21 June 2019. Of particular interest were discussions on two proposed agenda items for WRC-23, concerning the sharing of the 1240-1300MHz band with the Galileo satellite navigation system and the proposal from France to study a range of frequencies, including the 144MHz amateur band, for future primary aeronautical applications. The meeting considered views that the Galileo issue did not currently warrant a WRC23 agenda item and should be first investigated within CEPT. However, regarding new aeronautical frequencies including 144MHz, the proposal was unfortunately not strongly opposed by other administrations; this has been carried forward to the higher level CEPT-CPG meeting in August. The IARU and RSGB views with grave concern any proposal to include the global amateur and amateur satellite 144MHz primary band in the proposed aeronautical agenda item; and will be making every effort to fully protect amateur radio interest and seek the support of regulators in this regard.
Source : https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/headlines/2019/06/21/update-on-144mhz-and-23cm-threats/