WIA submission for allocation at 70 MHz
Date :
06 /
08 /
2016
Author :
Roger Harrison - VK2ZRH
The WIA has lodged a submission with the Australian Communications and
Media Authority (ACMA) concerning interest in an amateur allocation in
the 70 MHz band. On 22 June 2016, the Australian Communications and
Media Authority (ACMA) opened consultation on proposed updates to
frequency plans for the 70.0-87.5 MHz and 148-174 MHz VHF bands, with a
closing date of 1 August 2016.
You get little time to respond to government consultations these
days. The ACMA is proposing to update its Radiocommunications Assignment
and Licensing Instruction document, which covers these VHF bands, known
as RALI MS 42.
As the WIA had signified interest in a 70 MHz amateur allocation to
the ACMA back in July 2014, the Spectrum Strategy Committee decided that
a submission to this consultation was in order, principally to flag the
amateur radio community’s interest. Historically, the 70.0-87.5 MHz
band has been used by commercial, community, government and defence
communications services. However, the WIA has been aware for some time
that interest in, and use of, 70.0-70.5 MHz has declined across
Australia. There is also a Low Interference Potential (LIPD) band at
70–70.24375 MHz, with a maximum permitted power of 100 mW.
The WIA is pitching for use of an amateur allocation between 70 and
70.5 MHz that aligns with allocations across Region 1, which covers
Europe, Russia, the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa. These Region 1
allocations are widely known as the four metre band. The band 69.9 MHz –
70.5 MHz is listed in the "European Table of Frequency Allocations and
Applications" as a secondary amateur allocation.
It remains to be seen whether the ACMA’s consultation round on RALI
MS 42 will flush out renewed interest from other stakeholders. Whatever
changes the ACMA decides to make to the RALI, there’s another step to
go, with consultation on updating the Australian Radio Frequency
Spectrum Plan (ARSP) to commence shortly. The ACMA reviews and revises
the ARSP after each World Radiocommunications Conference. The last one
was WRC-15, which concluded at the end of November last year.
The WIA submission to the ACMA’s consultation on RALI MS 42 can be viewed below.
ACMA – Proposed updates to RALI LM 2 and MS 42
Link
European Table of Frequency Allocations and Applications
Link
The Four Metres Website
Link
