WIA Asks Australian Regulators for More HF Spectrum

The Wireless Institute of Australia – that country's national ham radio organization – is asking its communication regulatory agency to consider opening more HF spectrum to amateur use, and is citing increased interference from over-the-horizon radar as its justification. 

In its response to  request for input from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for its Five-Year Spectrum Outlook, WIA says more amateur spectrum is needed between 3 and 12 MHz "to help support increased frequency agility by amateur operators when dealing with over the horizon radar (OTHR) system interference from foreign sources." The institute also asked ACMA, among other things, to consider making amateur allocations primary on 7.1-7.2 MHz and 50-52 MHz.