General Conference 1999

At the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) frequency conference in Atlantic City in 1947 the world was divided into three regions for the purpose of allocation of frequencies. Region 1 comprises Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Arabic peninsula, Turkey, and Mongolia. The result of the conference for the radio amateurs in Region 1 was very poor. The main reason for this was that the European radio amateurs were insufficient prepared for the conference. The radio amateurs of Region 2 (North- and South-America) did much better and could be reasonable satisfied with their achievements at the conference. The disappointment and dissatisfaction were formidable in Region 1.

The radio amateur societies in Europe learnt their lesson in Atlantic City. They understood that a closer co-operation was absolutely necessary to avoid a disaster at the next ITU conference. Therefore, during the celebration of IARU's 25^th anniversary in Paris in 1950, a decision was taken to establish a co-operative body for Region 1. It was named The Region 1 Bureau, and RSGB was appointed to take care of the administration.

This arrangement did not function particularly well. So, at a meeting in Lausanne in 1953, where 13 member societies were represented in person and 10 by proxy, a reorganisation was agreed to. In this work the late general secretary of RSGB John Clarricoats G6CL played a key role. The name of the organisation was changed to The IARU Region 1 Division. Rules were worked out. An Executive Committee (EC) was instituted, comprising 6 members. The EC was given full executive power between the Conferences, to be held every three year in the country of one of the member societies. A yearly fee paid by the member societies based on their number of licensed members should provide the necessary financial foundation for the new organisation. Three funds were established: Fund 1: General expenses, fund 2: IARU Region 1 Conferences and meetings of the EC, and fund 3: Representation at ITU Conferences. The late Per-Anders Kinnman SM5ZD was elected the first chairman, a position he held for no less than 22 years! His work in this long period was of fundamental importance for the organisation.

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Lay-out: Ingun Nerlie LA1LIA (e-mail: nerlie@online.no)

Last updated 10. januar 1999