RASA writes to IARU again re 40m QRM

As regular users of 40m will know, the band suffers from chronic QRM from Indonesian pirates – see the screenshot below.

Two years ago, we wrote to the IARU seeking their assistance in resolving the matter. They advised that they had passed the issue to the Indonesian amateur radio society.

Unfortunately, the interference has actually got worse in the past two years; the very high popularity of digital modes around 7065-7075 kHz has pushed the pirates down below 7050 kHz.

As this is an issue that effects all of our region, we have written to IARU again, highlighting the problem, and asking what actions they are undertaking to resolve it.

Letters below:


Mr. Wisnu Widjaja YB0AZ

Chairman

IARU Region 3

Dear Mr. Widjaja,

INTERFERENCE IN THE 40M BAND

I write with reference to my letter of 25 September 2018 regarding interference in the 40m band.  The letter is enclosed.

We have been continuing our monitoring of 40m over the past two years, and the interference has actually increased in severity. 

It appears that the popularity of FT8 and other digital modes around 7065-7075 kHz are forcing the illegal stations down into the CW segment below 7050 kHz.

As I pointed out in my previous letter, these stations are received continuously in Darwin and every afternoon/evening in the remainder of Australia.  They are causing harmful interference to VK amateur stations. 

They would also be causing harmful interference to amateur stations right across SE Asia, Papua New Guinea and Micronesia.

Accordingly, could you please advise what actions the IARU are undertaking to address this issue.

73

G.C. Dunstan VK4DU

President

02 September 2020


Original 2018 letter:

Mr. Wisnu Widjaja YB0AZ

Chairman

IARU Region 3

Dear Mr. Widjaja,

INTERFERENCE IN THE 40M BAND

Firstly, congratulations on your appointment as Chairman of IARU Region 3.

I write with reference to serious, ongoing interference in the 40 metre band. 

Reports to the IARU Monitoring Service over the last ten years contain thousands of observations of intruders in the Amateur Primary allocation of 7000-7100 kHz. 

We note there are two types of interference in this segment:

  1. licenced YB amateur radio operators using SSB in the CW segment (below 7060 kHz); and
  2. unidentified stations speaking Indonesian, who mainly operate from 7000-7060 kHz using USB, often in 10 kHz multiples.

These stations are received continuously in Darwin and every afternoon/evening in the remainder of Australia.  They are causing harmful interference to VK amateur stations operating in accordance with IARU and national band plans. 

Could you please advise what actions the IARU and the Indonesian amateur radio society are undertaking to address this issue? 

RASA has submitted interference reports to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, our radio regulator.  They are investigating.

Please do let me know if RASA may be of assistance.

I look forward to your response in the near future.

73

G.C. Dunstan VK4DU

President

25 September 2018