RASA writes to IARU President re 40M QRM

The following letter is self explanatory.

As of March 21 we have not received a reply….


Mr. Tim Ellam VE6SH

President

IARU

By email

Dear Mr. Ellam,

40M QRM IN REGION THREE

Reports to the Region 3 IARU Monitoring Service over the last ten years contain thousands of observations of intruders in the Amateur Primary allocation of 7000-7100 kHz. 

The great majority of intruder stations speak Indonesian and do not identify.  They mainly operate from 7000-7075 kHz using USB, often in 10 kHz multiples.

These stations are received continuously in Darwin, Australia and every afternoon/evening in the remainder of the Australian continent.  They are causing harmful interference to Australian amateur stations.  They would also be causing harmful interference to amateur stations right across SE Asia, Papua New Guinea and Micronesia.

We first reported this problem to the IARU Region 3 Chairman two years ago.

In the intervening period, we have been continuing our monitoring of 40m, and we note that the interference has increased in severity. 

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

We again reported this issue to the Region 3 Chairman on 2nd September but have not received a reply.

I ran the intruder watch service in Australia for 18 months when I was a Director of the WIA.  I am also a former Government radio regulator and HF systems professional.

We approached our regulator, the ACMA, last year on this issue, and asked them to conduct their own monitoring, with a view to a formal complaint through the ITU. 

Unfortunately, we were advised that, due to staff cutbacks and consequent realignment of priorities, ACMA were unable to conduct the requisite monitoring.

As discussed previously, the interference is getting worse.  Clearly, something needs to be done.

In the absence of formal Government regulatory action, our view is that the IARU, as the regional umbrella organisation, should take a proactive role in resolving this issue.

May I suggest that IARU and the Indonesian national amateur radio society formulate a plan of action. 

We would be happy to assist as required.

73

G.C. Dunstan VK4DU

President

01 October 2020

For information: 

Chair

IARU Region 3