The Winlink gateway in El Salvador has been taken off the air until a new more reliable site can be located.

Radio Amateurs of Canada has received several requests for more information in response to reports on some websites and discussions on email lists of a proposal to reallocate 144 MHz -146MHz from the Amateur Radio Service to the Aeronautical Mobile Service.  The following has been prepared by Bryan Rawlings VE3QN RAC’s representative at the World Radio Conference and the domestic and International meetings leading up to that meeting.

Glenn MacDonell
President
Radio Amateurs of Canada

Two Metres: Re-Allocation?

There is concern – understandably – in the amateur community over a French proposal to re-allocate 144 – 146 MHz to the aeronautical navigation service to accommodate the growing number of aircraft employing new navigation tracking and communication aids.

Here is a brief summary of what and where this proposal is …

The French administration have proposed a new primary allocation to the aeronautical mobile service in 144 to 146 MHz which is the entirety of the amateur two-metre band in ITU Region 1 (Europe, the Mid-East and Africa). Their proposal was most recently considered at a meeting in Prague of a subcommittee of the Conseil Europeen des Postes et Radiocommunication (CEPT). The CEPT comprises 48 European states.

What is under consideration specifically is that an agenda item to this effect be included for the World Radiocommunication Conference tentatively planned for 2023. The WRC-23 agenda will be decided at the conclusion of the next WRC which begins October 28th in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was present as an observer at the Prague meeting and energetically opposed the French proposal. In the event, only Germany among the delegates opposed the French proposal. The issue will now be taken up at a higher level CEPT meeting in August. Belgium has apparently joined Germany in opposition. Should the number of administrations opposing the French proposal reach eight the proposal will fail to move forward. The IARU and European amateurs are now actively seeking the support of other administrations to oppose the French proposal.

Formally, the proposal is not on the agenda of any other regional groups preparing for WRC-19. RAC has made known to our regulator that we support the IARU’s opposition to the French proposal and its actions to defend amateur radio’s worldwide primary allocation and that we would oppose any similar proposal for re-allocation in Region 2 (the Americas). The Comisión Interamericana de Telecomunicaciones (CITEL) of the Organization of American States will meet in Ottawa in mid-August. The IARU will again be an observer and RAC will be represented in the Canadian delegation.

This issue is a clear illustration of the importance of amateurs and their national associations being vigilant and taking part in the regional and international regulatory conferences which can determine the fate of our most-cherished amateur bands. For a more-complete description of these processes read the article “The Importance of Showing Up” in the May-June 2019 issue of The Canadian Amateur.

Bryan Rawlings  VE3QN
3 July 2019

The Radio Amateurs of Canada website will be shutting down as of 1700hrs (5:00pm) on Friday, July 5, 2019 to facilitate the switch over to a new server and operational software.

The outage is expected to run into mid Saturday afternoon as we transfer files and perform various tests. 

You will see a notice on the website indicating that we are in maintenance mode. Once the notice disappears the site should be operational.

In preparation, we will not be making any updates, posts, call sign or email alias changes to the site as of 1900 hrs (7:00pm) Thursday evening, July 4, 2019.

This outage will impact all aspects of the RAC site including online payments to “Join/Renew RAC” and the RAC email alias system.

If you wish to “Join/Renew membership”  or have questions please contact the RAC Office from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Friday, July 5th at racmanager@gmail.com or phone to (613)-244-4367 or 1-877-273-8304 

“Thank You” for your co-operation and patience while we make the change over to our new server.

Paul Burggraaf, VE3PRB

RAC Webmaster

Wishing everyone in the USA a very Happy 4th of July 2019. Enjoy your day.

There has been a lot of chatter on social media about the request by an aviation company to gain acess to 2m in France. See the article below for some perspective

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/restraint-urged-in-response-to-2-meter-reallocation-proposal

To learn about the new groups, where and who they are go to

The annual 13 Colonies Special Event Station starts July 1 2019. For more information on the event go to

http://www.13colonies.net/

17.2 KHz is the frequency for this transmission. This station has been in operations since 1924There will also be an amateur station on the air for the event. To learn more go to

https://alexander.n.se/?lang=en

http://www.arrl.org/news/saq-alexanderson-day-transmission-set-for-june-30

Once again this year the Radio Amateurs of Canada will hold their Canada Day Contest on July 1 2019.