Experience gained during and after the Brasilia conference suggests that the procedure for reviewing and amending IARU Region 2 HF band plans can be improved. (HF is meant to include 160 meters, which technically is a MF band.)
Each member-society is responsible for representing the interests of its members and other radio amateurs in its country. When matters that directly affect individual members are to be considered at a regional conference, it is important that each member-society be given the opportunity to consult its members prior to developing a position.
This is particularly true with respect to band plans. Band plans are voluntary and will only be respected if amateurs are given the opportunity to participate in their development and review. This opportunity should be provided through their IARU member-society, not directly to Region 2.
With that in mind, the following procedure and timetable for reviewing IARU Region 2 HF band will be used for El Salvador 2010.
This will ensure that member-societies have sufficient time to consider proposals and to consult with experts and other members before having to vote on them.
1) With this edition of IARU-R2-News we are distibuting the existing band plans. Please circulate them to the radio amateurs in your countries for suggested revisions.
2) Each member-society should solicits input by whatever means it deems appropriate.
3) Each member-society considers the input it has received and decides what revisions, if any, it wishes to propose for consideration at El Salvador 2010. Deadline for submission of proposals to the Region 2 Secretary: June 1st.
4) Proposals submitted by member-societies will be published by Region 2 in a single, coordinated document for the upcoming Conference, along with the current HF band plans for the other two Regions. Deadline: June 15th.
5) Each member-society solicits input on the proposals by whatever means it deems appropriate.
6) Each member-society considers the input it has received and develops positions on the various proposals. These positions may be shared in advance of the upcoming Conference via a Conference document if the member-society wishes to do so, but this is not required. As with other Conference documents, Region 2 is not obliged to translate a document that is submitted less than 3 months prior to the Conference.
7) At the Conference, the proposals for amendments are considered in Committee B and are either adopted, rejected, or adopted in modified form. Amendments that make a greater change than that proposed in the June 15th document may only be adopted by consensus, i.e. without dissent.
For any questions and/or to send your proposals contact the Region 2 Secretary: xe1kk@iaru.org
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