SB QST @ ARL $ARLB067
ARLB067 WRC-97 info

ZCZC AG67
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 67  ARLB067
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT  November 7, 1997
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB067
ARLB067 WRC-97 info

WRC-97 is nearing its halfway point with some issues moving toward
settlement and others still very contentious. Here's a look at the
issues of interest to Amateur Radio.

Little LEO (non-voice, non-geostationary mobile satellite) interests
have had a difficult time at this conference. While nothing is firm,
the conference appears to be moving toward agreement that the
segments 146 to 148, 170 to 230, and 406.1 to 430 MHz are not open
for consideration for Little LEO allocations at this time. There has
been little support outside Region 2 for any new Little LEO
allocations. Most of the Little LEOs' interest has focused on 401 to
406 and 450 to 470 MHz, with some possibility of future studies of
possible compatibility with broadcasting at 470 to 862 MHz.

Thursday night, a compromise proposal from The Netherlands for a
secondary allocation at 432 to 438 MHz for the Earth Exploration
Satellite Service failed to gain sufficient support for adoption.
Instead, it appears that a resolution will be proposed calling on
the ITU-R to conduct urgent studies of the best band for such a
satellite to operate in. For the satellite to perform its intended
function of studying the rain forest, the frequency chosen must be
in the general vicinity of 400 to 500 MHz. This makes the selection
of an operating frequency that will not interfere with other
services very difficult, because this spectrum is heavily used by a
variety of services all over the world.

Earlier, it was agreed that the Earth Exploration Satellite Service
would be upgraded at 1215 to 1300 MHz from a secondary to a primary
allocation. At this order of frequency, the service has less
potential for interference to the Amateur Service, and its presence
reduces the possibility that other, less-compatible services might
later be introduced into this band.

Wind profiler radar issues appear to be close to resolution, with
amateur satellite segments protected from being mentioned as
appropriate for wind profiler operations. What has been agreed at
working group level is that--except for a worldwide primary
allocation at 1270 to 1295 MHz--the only specific allocations for
wind profiler radars are on a secondary basis in Region 1. For
Region 2 amateurs the significant points are that administrations
are urged to implement wind profilers in radiolocation bands at 440
to 450 MHz, 904 to 928 MHz in Region 2 only (protecting the lower,
weak-signal segment), 1270 to 1295 MHz (protecting amateur satellite
and weak-signal), and 1300 to 1375 MHz. The bands 420 to 435 or 438
to 440 MHz ''could be considered for use . . .in case compatibility
between wind profiler radars and other radio applications operating
in the band 440-450 MHz or 470-494 MHz (only in some Region 1
countries) cannot be achieved.'' The amateur-satellite segment is
protected.

Another amateur delegate on a national delegation has arrived.
Oyekunle B. Ajayi, 5N0OBA, of the Nigerian Amateur Radio Society is
on the Nigerian delegation and is taking an active part in the
conference. The IARU reception was held Thursday night and was quite
successful, attracting among, others ITU Secretary-General Tarjanne.

4U1ITU has been active using the special call sign 4U1WRC. Even 10
meters has been open to the US. Unfortunately, with meetings lasting
well into the night, the many delegates who hold amateur licenses
have little time to operate.
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