I'm in Montreal this week for the ARISS-International conference. I'm just learning about this important issue from the European delegation ...
Apparently there is a recent (June 2019) proposal in Europe to allocate *worldwide* the 2-meter amateur band to the exclusive use by aeronautical stations. It is not a global issue yet as it will take agreement of several European CEPT nations in order to advance this at the ITU World Radio Conference in August. The initiative to takeover the 2m band is being driven by Thales Group, a French manufacturer of unmanned aircraft.
This has happened very quickly and there is not a lot of information available about this but here is a good summary: https://www.f4fxl.org/2m-amateur-radio-band-endangered/
Obviously, the loss of the 2m band would be catastrophic for radio amateurs worldwide. The ARISS program's use of the band not withstanding, 2m is the most popular frequency band in use in amateur radio and the gateway for most new operators to the hobby and service.
At this point, I don't think there is much that we can do as U.S. amateurs other than follow this closely. I will update SBARC membership as I learn more. We should all stay tuned into this issue and be ready to voice our vocal opposition. I welcome anyone's comments on this issue.
*Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM* *Co-Chair, Telecommunications Services Committee* *Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Inc. http://www.sbarc.org/* *a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation*
www.levi.maaia.com +1.805.604.5384 <//+1.805.604.5384>
Thank you for the update Levi, Thales Also makes glideslopes,localizers, DMEs, VORs, and manages air traffic control centers.
Michael K6RQV
On Jun 26, 2019, at 11:16 AM, Levi C. Maaia - K6LCM k6lcm@maaia.com wrote:
I'm in Montreal this week for the ARISS-International conference. I'm just learning about this important issue from the European delegation ...
Apparently there is a recent (June 2019) proposal in Europe to allocate worldwide the 2-meter amateur band to the exclusive use by aeronautical stations. It is not a global issue yet as it will take agreement of several European CEPT nations in order to advance this at the ITU World Radio Conference in August. The initiative to takeover the 2m band is being driven by Thales Group, a French manufacturer of unmanned aircraft.
This has happened very quickly and there is not a lot of information available about this but here is a good summary: https://www.f4fxl.org/2m-amateur-radio-band-endangered/
Obviously, the loss of the 2m band would be catastrophic for radio amateurs worldwide. The ARISS program's use of the band not withstanding, 2m is the most popular frequency band in use in amateur radio and the gateway for most new operators to the hobby and service.
At this point, I don't think there is much that we can do as U.S. amateurs other than follow this closely. I will update SBARC membership as I learn more. We should all stay tuned into this issue and be ready to voice our vocal opposition. I welcome anyone's comments on this issue.
Levi C. Maaia, K6LCM Co-Chair, Telecommunications Services Committee Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation
www.levi.maaia.com +1.805.604.5384
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Levi C. Maaia - K6LCM -
mst56