EA6

[GW8IZR]

Follows an announcement from the UKSMG


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Written by: David, BRS25429
Messagetext:
EA6, BALEARIC ISLANDS
Andre, LX1FX, is expected to be active from Minorka Island (EU-004) between July 22nd and August 15th (possibly one week longer). Activity will be on the HF bands and 6 meters as well as 70, 144 and 432 MHz. Modes will be CW, SSB, as well JT6 via MS. Andre\'s equipment is an ICOM 7000, OZ xvrtr/4m - dipole antenna for VHF and a \"Fieber- glaasstab\" on the HF bands. He will be on stand-by with an Marine-TRX ICM-710M on 14.333 MHz and 10.133 MHz (0900z).

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Interesting - have I missed something?

[G7CNF]

Hi Paul.

You haven't missed anything, EA6 is not activated for 4m.

BUT...

Andre will be operating in international waters so the opportunity for some interesting contacts is on the cards.

73

Nige.

[GW8IZR]

OK thats understood, I've been qrt since about May due to work stuff and certainly havent been following events here. I noticed an EA1 stn asking for details about pa's for 4m and began to put two and two together :-)

Right, back to work ..

[G3PTU]

In international waters...............

If you look in the Provisions booklet there is a footnote about this, I read this as "only these bands allocated IARU in the region concerned... can be used".
I would question whether 4m is a IARU band.
6m is also fraught with problems because it also shares the same non IARU status in our region, and is in use by Tv in the Mediterainian basin i.e. Crosica on E2, System L. which is whole reason why you will never work Corsica even on the French 6m band of 50.2-51.2Mhz- its 'Interdit'.

David G3PTU

[G7CNF]

I realise that this was always going to be a thorny issue however 4m made it into the IARU band plan shedule in 2003 (I think? )and was formalised in 2005(Davos) and now shows as an IARU region 1 band in the current VHF Manager's Handbook. Indeed the current UK 4m bandplan is largely based on this schedule. There are no qualifiers. BUT... Oh the ECA... Yes indeed, the 4m IARU band plan is "Approved" and the band's regional status is still "...being sought..." However one has to dig quite fervently to end up with nothing more than ambiguities regarding the band.

Let's face it, with all the changes taking place on 4m right now, the band has become quite a mess and until 4m is better represented in the ECA (lament for a lost opportunity this spring, just gone) I can only see a short-term future of confusion.

Let us hope for a more coherent outcome in the years ahead. As has been stated elsewhere on this forum, it is time for us to be less a disparate collection of users and become a focussed lobby.

73

Nige.

[PA5DD]

I assume that IARU has to be replaced by ITU in the above post. Although it is indeed a gray area in the sense, that there is no policeing of radio spectrum use in international waters, the general principle is that by using an amateur radio callsign, you voluntarily accepts the terms of the license associated with the callsign. These (national) terms may vary, but the following seems to be common principles:

- you must obtain a permission from the captain of the vessel

- you can only use frequencies commonly assigned by the ITU (RR) to amateur radio in the ITU region in which you are operating

A good FAQ:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regula ... itime.html


Provisions in the UK license:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/ ... ence07.pdf

point 9(6) on page 8


Admittedly this leaves a lot over to interpretation.

73 Uffe PA5DD

[G7CNF]

Hi Uffe.

I did mean IARU and not ITU; for most amateurs the ITU is not approachable and the IARU's function is to bridge that gap and represent the interests of amateurs to the international telecommunications organisations. What I was trying to impart is the current state of confusion which exists with some amateurs who are not so interested or involved at an administrative level.

The example from the UK:-

9(6) When the Licensee operates the Radio Equipment on a Vessel in international waters, use of the radio spectrum shall continue to be made in accordance with Schedule 1, except that the Licensee shall use only those frequency bands which, in accordance with the Radio Regulations, have an allocation to the amateur service in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) region being visited.

For me, far from being open to interpretation I can see only one; since the ITU Frequency Allocation Table does not include 4m for any of its regions, it must be assumed that 4m operation in international waters is prohibited (for GB Licensees at least).

I think this clearly illustrates the point that 4m is not high enough on the agenda of the international ham community and that a coherent lobby is needed. In the meantime I would probably be wise for anyone considering 4m /mm operation considering entering international waters to seek clarification from their issuing authority?

/Discuss

73

Nige.

[CT1FFU]

So all this coments will be forgoten.
4m is now LEGAL in EA land.
By my interpretation of the published law, and by my poor
understanding of Spanish language, the CEPT licence is valid !!!

So good luck to Andre and is operation in EA6 on 70mhz

best 73's
CT1FFU

[EI2IP]

Any EA station want to arrange a sked, if so email me and I will put the antenna back on the mast.

Thanks

Robbie
Ei2iP
IO61CX