On 8 Jun 2008, at 07:54, John Marranca, Jr wrote:
Am I missing something here?
I think so.
Let's take a look at the definition of the amateur service.
"Amateur Service: A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorised persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest." [RR 1.56]
Most folks around the world read this as meaning that amateurs are:
[1] "duly authorized," that is, licensed
[2] "persons," that is, individual, human type people (not families, clubs, schools, or corporations)
[NOTE: Even club station licenses have a licensed individual, who is individually responsible for operation of the club station, serving as trustee of the license.]
[3] "with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest," that is, only for themselves and without compensation of any kind.
In this world of very high priced access to radio frequencies, our amateur service is quite unique. Our access is by examination and not a fee. The frequencies are available to us, individual people. The frequencies are not available to any kind of group or institution or corporation. These frequencies are not available who stand to gain from their use beyond their own personal interest. (An experimental service is available for commercial interests.)
To me, our frequency allocations require protection from those who look them as frequencies of convenience, that is, a way to avoid going through the normal licensing and frequency coordination process.
Suggest reading this paper submitted to the IARU Region 1 meeting. http://www.ok2kkw.com/iaru/ct08_c5_03%20iaru%20c5%20support%20for%20satellit...
It's easy to look to someone with money, like a school, to provide amateurs with resources we may not be able to afford readily. In my personal opinion, the price may be too high to assure an amateur service in years to come.
FWIW, the IARU Panel does not try to judge whether a frequency coordination request is legitimate, in terms of the radio regulations. Rather, guidance from the IARU to the Panel is that such a determination is a matter for administrations, that is, the part of each government responsible for complying with obligations undertaken in the International Telecommunication Convention. The best the Panel can hope to do is try to keep the bands reasonably well organized so as to maximize use and minimize interference. Not an easy task.
Just one guy's ramblings. I hope you find them helpful.
73, art..... W4ART Arlington VA
Life is short. Be swift to love! Make haste to be kind! - Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and writer (1821-1881)