About The WIA IARU Monitoring System
Who We Are
The WIA has recently changed the name of the Intruder Watch Service to the new name of "WIA IARU Monitoring System"(WIMS). The name change better reflects its global monitoring activities of the Amateur Service. The WIA has had a long established arrangement where amateurs can report possible un-authorised (non-amateur) transmissions within our primary HF bands to the WIMS Coordinator. The nominated WIA IARU Monitoring System Coordinator is Peter Young VK3MV who can be contacted by email on intruders@wia.org.au
The WIA IARU Monitoring System operates as a component of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) monitoring system. Australia belongs to IARU Region 3. Information is shared with other national societies within the region and other regions to assist with locating and identifying intruders.
Reports of identified intruders are also lodged with the appropriate spectrum management administation to enable removal action to be taken.
More information on other regional activities can be found by clicking the following:
IARU Region 1 monitoring system home page - Link
IARU Region 2 monitoring system home page - Link
IARU Region 3 monitoring system home page - Link
Latest intruder reports from VK observers can be download here: Link
What Do We Do ?
The WIA IARU Monitoring System is an agreed mechanism between the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Wireless Institute of Australia to identify and instigate (compliance) action to remove non-amateur "intruders" which are causing substantial interference to Australian amateurs in amateur HF frequency bands which are designated by the ACMA for exclusive use by amateurs.
The ACMA interprets 'substantial interference' as that level of interference which degrades reception by a considerable degree. The ACMA is obliged under the WIA IARU Monitoring System mechanism to investigate and as much as practical resolve intrusions into amateur HF bands in which Australian amateurs have Primary status.
Amateurs should note that:
The WIA IARU Monitoring System resolution mechanism cannot be applied to localised electrical noise.
The WIA IARU Monitoring System is not designed to deal with amateur-amateur issues. This remains a matter between the amateurs involved and the ACMA.
Interference
The ACMA has available a downloadable Request for Investigation of Interference to Radiocommunications (Form R066) Link This form contains the email address where to send the completed information.
WIA IARU Monitoring System Agreed Procedure
The agreed procedure between the ACMA and the WIA for forwarding intruder complaints from the WIA is as follows:
1. The ACMA and WIA will nominate one point of contact to represent each organisation. The nominated ACMA officer will respond only to requests from the nominated WIA officer unless the intrusion involves a safety of life (SOL) matter. In some instances, the ACMA officer investigating the intrusion complaint may contact the WIA Intruder Watch liaison directly.
2. The normal method of contact between each organisation will be by email, but if the intrusion involves safety of life (SOL) telephone contact and an email may be necessary.
3. The nominated ACMA officer will only be involved in genuine intrusions into HF radio spectrum which have been verified by the WIA Intruder Watch co-ordinator. The WIA IARU Monitoring System is not a mechanism to deal with complaints where only amateurs are involved nor should it be applied to electrical noise interference.
4. The requisite actions by the ACMA and WIA should not only conform to the law but also be reasonable considering the circumstances.
5. The WIA IARU Monitoring System mechanism is not to be applied to non-radio communications sources. ACMA policy is that protection from electrical noise is not practical in urban areas.
6. There is an obligation on the WIA to ensure that the intruder complaints have been verified by monitoring over a seven day period to confirm that the intrusion is serious and continuous.
7. There is an obligation on the ACMA to:
 Confirm by email that the complaint has been received.
Assess the complaint and advise if action will be taken.
If action is taken by the ACMA, investigate the complaint and respond within 30 days.
Provide a monthly status report (even if there have been no intrusion) to the WIA representative of outstanding intrusions.
Reply to the WIA representative when intrusion has been rectified.
8. The WIA will ensure that these agreed procedures are promulgated to all WIA members. The ACMA will publish the procedures on the ACMA web site.
9. The ACMA will publish the WIA IARU Monitoring System email address on its website, and direct all amateur intrusion complaints to the WIA WIA IARU Monitoring System liaison in the first instance.
Any questions on the WIA IARU Monitoring System should also be sent to the email address intruders@wia.org.au
Alternatively, you may fax completed reports to: 03 9729 7325
Help safeguard our bands - become an intruder watcher today.
I Think I Hear An Interfering Station What Shoud I Do
The WIA and ACMA have developed a standard WIMS reporting form (an Excel spreadsheet), that should be used to record your observations. This spreadsheet template may be downloaded: See Below.
If you don't have Excel, please send your reports as a plain text email, listing the following details:
Your Name
Callsign
Date
Time start (UTC)
Duration (minutes or end time UTC)
Frequency (kHz)
Emission (see below)
Bandwidth (kHz)
Signal strength (S Units or dBm)
Estimated location/bearing of the intruder
Your Grid Locator (eg QF22ML)
A day time contact telephone number
Comments (additional info, language or nature of communications etc).
Emission key to be used: A3E=AM, J3E/U=USB, J3E/L =LSB, F1B=RTTY, P0N=Pulse Radar (OHR)
Completed WIMS report forms or reports should be emailed to: intruders@wia.org.au or alternatively to the National WIA on the above Fax number.
Alternatively, you can use the On-Line Reporting form Link
Aditional information by way a audio sound files (Wave or MP3 formats)of the suspected intruder can also be attached with reporting form with details of date, time (UTC) and frequency. This audio information may be useful in identifying the type of transmission or the source of the emissions.
The Region One Monitoring service has produced an excellent manual monitoring techniques, which can be used to assist with some of the technical aspects of monitoring observations. A copy of the manual can be downloaded from this site: See Below.
Amateur use of HF digital modes is ever increasing and idnetification of these modes can be difficult for those who have no experience of what a particular emission sounds like. A very useful site to visit is at http://www.signals.taunus.de/ via this Link which has examples of digital sound files both amateur, commercial and military.
It should be noted that not all intrusions are deliberate, but may be due to a faulty transmitter.
REMEMBER THAT EVERY REPORT WILL ASSIST IN KEEPING OUR BANDS CLEAR FOR THE AMATEUR SERVICE.
Files For Download
Page Last Updated: Wednesday 25 August 2010 at 15:47 hours
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