1. WRC–12 Industry Debrief 23 April 2012 Agenda item 1.23 – Amateur service secondary allocation Presenter: Dale Hughes

2. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Agenda item 1.23 >…to consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the amateur service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services… > Why? Sufficiently different characteristics to adjacent amateur service allocations at 137 kHz & 1.8 MHz to fill a gap.

3. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Australia's position going into WRC-12 >Allocation was supported: Existing users (NDBs) must be protected from harmful interference. Protection measures for existing users were agreed. Due to incumbent users a subset of the band was the most likely outcome so either WRC method was acceptable.

4. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Progress during WRC-12 #1 >At first, very slow progress at Sub Working Group level. >General agreement between the affirmative side about frequency band limits, but… >Strong opposition from a number of countries to any allocation with delaying tactics employed to prevent any progress.

5. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Progress during WRC-12 #2 >A drafting group was formed to develop a document that contained both positions. >Again more argument and delaying tactics… >Change of CEPT and APG positions meant progress, but reduced bandwidth. >Power limits and geographic spacing limits suggested, resisted… accepted.

6. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Progress during WRC-12 #3 >No consensus at Sub Working Group level. >Elevated to Com4 level and passed after discussion. >Attempt by one administration at plenary to impose very restrictive protection measures overcome. >Affirmative position accepted and passed by plenary session.

7. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Outcome >WRC outcome is in line with the original Australian position: A new secondary allocation for the amateur service between 472 and 479 kHz 5 W e.i.r.p. limit and other protection measures.

8. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Future impact: >Will allow the amateur service to develop skills and expertise at medium frequencies. >Will enhance capability for disaster relief and emergency communications. >Provide opportunity for: research and development of new communications modes to cope with weak signals and high noise levels, research of propagation characteristics.

9. WRC–12 Industry Debrief Thanks go to: >The ACMA for: their leadership, organization and support activities at WRC-12 and the community participation process in the WRC preparatory phase. >The Wireless Institute of Australia for its untiring support of the amateur radio service. >The WRC delegates and ARSG members for their support and enthusiasm. >Acknowledging the late Mr. Keith Malcolm.