Among the items on the agenda for WRC-12 are "possible allocations in the range 3-50 MHz to the radiolocation service for oceanographic radar applications . . . ." Throughout the domestic preparation process, the proponents of this agenda item have been sensitive to this application's incompatibility with the Amateur Radio Service. In fact, the United States contributed text that became a conclusion in the CPM Report: "[s]haring with amateur, broadcasting, and radio astronomy services seems to be difficult due to their protection requirements." During domestic preparations, CODAR, a manufacturer of HF radar systems, made a proposal in the FCC's WRC-12 Advisory Committee (WAC) that utilized no amateur bands. ARRL extensively participated in the WAC (Jon Siverling served as Vice Chair of one of the Working Groups) and did not object to CODAR's benign proposal, which was ultimately adopted by the WAC, who advised the FCC accordingly. The final United States proposal, decided May 9 and detected only after its transmission to CITEL, substantially differs from what CODAR asked for. Among the bands proposed to be allocated to radiolocation is 5250-5450 kHz, encompassing our domestic secondary channels. Given prior representations of the proponents, the inclusion of this band was as unexpected as it was unwelcome. As best I can tell, 5250-5450 kHz was first suggested in an NTIA proposal dated February 28 but not released to the WAC for comment before the WAC's final meeting on April 19. NTIA proposals are normally released to the public and circulated to the WAC for vetting and comment (for example, the WAC's affirmative response to an negative NTIA proposal started the ball rolling toward the favorable United States proposal for an amateur allocation at low MF). However, delays between the dates of NTIA proposals and their public release are not uncommon. Had the proposal been circulated to the WAC by April 19, ARRL would have timely objected. A review of the WAC records confirms it was not. I quietly conveyed ARRL's concerns to FCC, NTIA, and State Department officials who attended CITEL PCC.II in Santo Domingo last week. At an appropriate time in the near future, I anticipate we will more formally convey our concerns to the State Department, which has now fully taken on WRC-12 responsibility. I suggest that we should hold heavy organizational fire at this time--it may be that the proponents didn't want this band, but that they were involuntarily given it. If this is the case, there may be a chance they can assist, and attacking them would not help our cause. 73 de Brennan N4QX