Hans van de Groenendaal SARL Councillor for Regulatory Affairs Presentation to ICASA Radio Spectrum Regulations

SARL National Body for Amateur Radio We request that ICASA acknowledge and reaffirm that the South African Radio League is the National Body for Amateur Radio as appointed by the Minister of Communication in 2005 (Government Gazette no 27711) (Government Gazette no 27711)

Application of Regulations The SARL requests ICASA to confirm that only the following sections of the regulations will be applicable to the Amateur Service Section 29 - Amateur Communications Part X - Miscellaneous

Presentation Details As the SARL has submitted a detailed representation in today’s discussion, due to limited allocated time, only the items which in our opinion may need more clarification will be discussed

Class B Licence The SARL proposes that no age restriction is introduced for class B licences. Motivation: Motivation: The ITU radio regulation motivates the amateur service as a service to promote self training. The restricted class B license affords people of all ages this opportunity and should not be subject to an age limitation or restriction.

Amateur Radio A FOUNDATION FOR TECHNOLOGY Making Science, Electronics and Technology fun

Technology Regulation, although necessary in frequency spectrum applications, should lead technology and not restrict technology development. In view of this the SARL request that the following restrictions are deleted from the draft regulations Teleprinter working – this mode of communications has been replaced with many advanced digital modes Spread Spectrum - reference be deleted or modified to “Spread Spectrum may be used subject to the condition that interference is not caused to other users of the same frequency spectrum”

Technology Modern amateur radio equipment uses frequency synthesising techniques to determine the frequency of operation This means that all equipment for all practical purposes uses continuous tuning The SARL proposes that this regulation (Section X 1 Sub section 40 Radio receiving apparatus with continuous tuning) is deleted.

Support of Technology Development amongst the Youth As Amateur Radio is aimed at encouraging the youth to become involved in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), the R140 fee for the issue of the license and the R120 license fee are barriers to entry. South Africa is in dire need of skilled technical people and the authorities should remove any obstacle that may prevent a young person’s entry into the exciting world of science. The SARL proposes that students/learners under 25 be exempted from the proposed R140 licence application fee (Annexure E (1) Amateur Radio Service)

Emergency Communication ITU Radio Regulation 25.9A § 5A Administrations are encouraged to take the necessary steps to allow amateur stations to prepare for and meet communication needs in support of disaster relief. The SARL request that ICASA recognise “HAMNET”, the emergency communications division of the National Body, the South African Radio League in terms of the ITU regulation (see proposed changes to Sub Regulation (11)(c) add “, Hamnet, the emergency communications division of the South African Radio League, is permitted to arrange national as well as international emergency communication exercises and participate in similar international activities.”

Amateur Radio Band Plan An Amateur Radio Band Plan is required to be published in conjunction with the new regulations to avoid a void after the current regulations are repealed. The SARL has prepared the band plan and officially tables it for ICASA’s consideration and action

Discussion