After a telephone conversation with a Board member this morning it seemed to me that it might be useful for you to have a simple recap of the 7-MHz WRC-03 decisions. I'll ignore a few footnotes that have no effect on the usefulness of the band to U.S. amateurs Bear in mind that there were three parties of interest: amateurs, broadcasters, and the military (fixed and mobile). For that reason I am including a description of what happens at 7300-7450 kHz so you have a complete picture. 7000-7100 Remains exclusively amateur and amateur-satellite, worldwide. A Resolution that absolutely prohibits broadcasting from the band was retained. I mention the Resolution because it is absolutely unique in the Radio Regulations; no other HF service has such protection against incursion by broadcasting. 7100-7200 Broadcasting in Regions 1 and 3 ceases as of 29 March 2009. When the summer 2009 HF broadcasting schedule is developed, the stations that previously used this band will be coordinated elsewhere. The band becomes available to amateurs in Regions 1 and 3 on that date (although some administrations may decide to permit earlier entry on a non-interference basis). By footnote, the band also becomes available to fixed and mobile in some Region 1 and 3 countries (none in Region 2 or Europe). The band remains exclusively amateur in Region 2. No further changes to 7000-7200 kHz will be considered at WRC-07 (although we always have to watch the footnotes). 7200-7300 The status quo prevails: broadcasting in Regions 1 and 3, amateur in Region 2. There is no sharing with fixed and mobile in any Region. This can be revisited at WRC-07. 7300-7350 Now allocated to fixed and mobile, as a result of WARC-92 this will become a worldwide broadcasting band on 1 April 2007 with fixed and mobile allowed to continue operating on a national-non-interference basis. (As a practical matter this is already a broadcasting band.) 7350-7400 Now allocated to fixed and mobile worldwide, on 29 March 2009 this becomes a worldwide broadcasting band with fixed and mobile allowed to continue operating on a national-non-interference basis. In other words, there is a reduction for fixed and mobile. 7400-7450 Now allocated to fixed and mobile worldwide, on 29 March 2009 this becomes a broadcasting band in Regions 1 and 3 (with fixed and mobile allowed to continue operating on a national-non-interference basis) and remains fixed and mobile in Region 2. Thus, fixed and mobile in Region 2 gets hit with the same problem we have had for the past 65 years: broadcasting interference at night. While we have of course tended to focus on 7000-7300, what was proposed for above 7300 was equally or more important to the other parties of interest. There was a fundamental disagreement between CEPT (Europe) and CITEL (the Americas) over 7350-7550 kHz. CEPT wanted to realign the broadcasting band so it would be 7300-7550 worldwide. CITEL wanted no new broadcasting in Region 2 and simply wanted broadcasting in Regions 1 and 3 to shift up with no change in Region 2. If CEPT and CITEL had not reconciled this fundamental difference there would have been no agreement, and no improvement for amateurs below 7300. Eventually CITEL reluctantly accepted another 50 kHz for broadcasting in Region 2 and CEPT reluctantly accepted this partial realignment for broadcasting that is just 25% of what they had set out to achieve. I hope this contributes to understanding the WRC-03 outcome. 73, Dave K1ZZ