IARU Region 1 Interim Meeting news

IARU Region 1 held its Interim Meeting in Vienna last weekend. The RSGB presented a total of 11 papers, three on HF matters and eight on VHF and microwaves. One other RSGB paper on the 30 metre band plan was withdrawn prior to final approval being sought from the RSGB Board. The RSGB was represented by Murray Niman, G6JYB and Ian Greenshields, G4FSU. HF topics included preparations for the WRC15, which includes the possibility of a worldwide amateur allocation at 5MHz. Other proposals included trying to align some of the HF band plans between Regions and the DXpedition Code of Conduct. A number of other papers covered contest matters, support for newcomers via JOTA, operation of unmanned stations, and discussions on a possible band plan for the new 472 to 479kHz.amateur allocation. For VHF and microwaves, there were a total of 34 papers covered technical, operating, band planning and contest matters. Areas of focus were improvements to IARU contests and accommodating digital voice, beacon and TV developments. Band plans at 4m, 2m and 70cm came under particular scrutiny. Pressure on spectrum, notably at 2.3GHz, was also discussed. Several topics are expected to be further developed in time for the next Region 1 Conference in the autumn of 2014. The minutes and recommendations of the Interim Meeting will be published shortly, once approved by the Region 1 Executive Committee.

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