1. Issues arising from national spectrum acquisition in EI
Dave Court EI3IO – Chairman IARU Region 1 Spectrum & Regulatory Liaison Committee

2. IRTS Spectrum Policy
Spectrum management handled in many different ways in telecommunications administrations
The amateur service can be treated differently in the various models
In Ireland a government department determines the overall policy in the sector including the position to be taken in CEPT and ITU WRCs
Currently the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
An Independent Regulator ComReg is responsible for implementing the policy and is the amateur licensing body
IRTS responds to most consultations which could affect amateur radio

3. IRTS Responds to Consultations on
Frequency Management - Range of interest 3 kHz to > 3 THz
Spectrum Acquisition and Retention
Licensing
Operator Examinations
Harmful Disturbance/Interference
Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement
Spectrum Engineering
EU and CEPT issues
ITU and WRC matters

4. Things take time
Lets look at the recent 5 and 8 metre spectrum acquisition in Ireland
Story starts in March 1995 with publication of CEPT’s Detailed Spectrum Investigation for the band 29.7 – 960 MHz (amateurs contributed)
The Investigation recommended that frequencies in the vicinity of MHz should be considered for amateur propagation beacons and a similar allocation at 60 MHz may prove to be of scientific value
IARU has encouraged their national Member Societies to deploy multi-band beacon clusters covering low VHF between 30 MHz and 70.5 MHz (e.g. at 28, 40, 50, 60 and 70 MHz). Now two beacons at 40 MHz and one at 60 MHz
Also set up automated monitoring stations to contribute measurement results to the scientific community
Band – MHz allocated in Slovenia and South Africa
30.0 – 49.9 MHz and 54 – 70.5 MHz allocated to Irish amateurs in 2018 (24 years and counting)

5. IRTS 2011 Submission to ComReg’s Spectrum Management Strategy Consultation for 2011 to 2013
Requested:
Full 4m band MHz (then MHz in EI) √ (2018)
Additional channels at 5 MHz √ (small number for annual purchase)
Increase of power at 10 MHz X
Upgrade of 50.0 – 51.0 MHz to national primary X
Access to 3400 – 3410 MHz X

6. IRTS 2016 Submission to ComReg’s Spectrum Management Strategy Consultation for 2016 to 2018
Ensure an adequate supply of suitable spectrum is available to the amateur service in the range 3 kHz to 3THz,
Ensure the overall noise floor in all current frequency bands does not increase to a level where small signal reception is not feasible, and
Make every effort to encourage young people to take an interest in radiocommunications and other STEM subjects through amateur radio

7. Spectrum Wish List-1

8. Spectrum Wish List - 2

9. IRTS Requested
Early release of the new WRC-15 band at kHz at an early date and alignment with UK allocations in the band kHz √ and X
Allow daylight only operation in the band segment 7200 – 7300 kHz X
An increase in power to the standard 26 dBW (400 watts) in the band – MHz √
Upgrade MHz to national primary to align with the UK X
Extend the 70 MHz band from 69.9 or 70.0 MHz to 70.5 MHz to align with the ECA table √ and
Initiate discussion at an early date on the introduction of a Novice Licence on the basis of the submission already made by the IRTS X

10. IRTS 2018 Submission to ComReg’s Spectrum Management Strategy Consultation for 2019 to 2021
Provide sub 8.3 kHz spectrum for use by the amateur service in Ireland,
Provision of kHz, kHz, kHz, kHz kHz and kHz
Support of the IARU position for the frequency band MHz in CEPT and ITU preparations for Agenda Item 1.1 of WRC-19
Release EHF spectrum allocated to the amateur service in the ECA and Article 5 of the RR in the range GHz (including GHz and – GHz)
Release THF spectrum for the amateur service in the bands GHz and GHz as well as 1 – 3 THz
Clarify any terms for using spectrum above 3 THz.
Clarify the position for amateur licensees in the vicinity of Birr Castle (LOFAR)
Support the IARU/IRTS position generally in respect of CEPT preparations for ITU WRC agenda items 1.1, 1.13, 1.15, 1.16, and 10

11. Results
To Be Decided ????????????????????

12. Summary Decide your key issues
Always respond to consultations and participate in national spectrum management activities wherever possible
Do not expect immediate results
Don’t be too pushy – amateur radio currently does not have a high status
Relationships are important – cultivate your contacts in the various areas of activity
Remember that you are dealing with career officials and they may move around your administration
Don’t get too despondent go to the shack and work some DX

13. Thanks, Good Luck and 73