APT Meeting Concludes in Busan

Dale Hughes VK1DSH was a member of the Australian delegation to the fifth APG2012 meeting ("APG2011-5") in the series of conference meetings organised by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), preparing for WRC-2012, held in Busan, Korea. Dale was nominated and supported by the WIA.

APG2011-5 concluded on Saturday 3 September 2011. The meeting was attended by more than 370 people from 25 APT Members, Associate Members, Affiliate Members and International Organizations.
Directors Peter Lake ZL2AZ and Shizuo Endo JE1MUI participated as observers on behalf of IARU Region 3 and IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP, was a member of the Japanese delegation.

Dale was appointed chair of the Drafting Group dealing with Agenda Item 1.23, the proposal to "consider an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the amateur service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services." While a number of countries supported the proposal, Iran, China and Korea opposed it. After four Drafting Group Meetings, a Working Group Meeting and a Plenary Meeting the following draft APT position will be put to a vote of the member countries as a common position.

"At the 5th meeting of the APT preparatory group for WRC-12 members, when considering agenda item 1.23, support an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415 526.5 kHz to the amateur service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services. In particular Method A (472–487 kHz) of the CPM report is supported provided that appropriate protection and regulatory provisions are in place."

For that to become a common position it must be supported by at least 25% of all the APT Members and not opposed by more than 50% of the number of Members who support it. Currently 36 countries are members of the APT, and so it requires at least 9 votes in favour. Obviously, an APT common position will greatly assist the amateur cause.

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