Australia Represented as IARU Region 3 Sets Priorities for Amateur Radio

The International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 Executive Committee has concluded its 2026 annual meeting in Tokyo, setting priorities for amateur radio across the Asia-Pacific region. Held at the Japan Amateur Radio League headquarters on 31 August and 1 September, the meeting addressed spectrum protection, preparations for WRC-27, band planning, interference, emergency communications, youth development and greater cooperation between IARU Member Societies. Importantly for Australian amateurs, Oscar Reyes VK3TX is a member of the IARU Region 3 Executive Committee, ensuring an Australian voice is directly involved in these regional discussions.

Spectrum featured prominently. The Executive Committee approved a revised interim Region 3 40-metre Band Plan, following approximately five months of consultation, while also considering VHF and above band planning, beacon coordination and spectrum monitoring. EMC issues included HF interference from power-line communications, emissions from large LED displays and possible interference and harmonics from wireless power-transfer systems. The Committee also reviewed preparations for WRC-27, stressing the importance of identifying agenda items requiring active attention and coordinating between IARU representatives, Member Societies and national administrations to protect the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services.

Emergency communications and the future of amateur radio were also firmly on the agenda. Region 3 reaffirmed amateur radio's role in resilient communications during natural disasters and continued work on its Simulated Emergency Test and Region 3 HF Net. Youth engagement, training and preparations for the 2027 Region 3 YOTA Camp and Region 3 Conference in Bali were also discussed, along with upcoming ARDF championships. For the WIA, Australia's representation through Oscar VK3TX provides an important connection between Australian amateur radio and the wider regional and international processes that influence our spectrum, operating environment and future development. It is another reminder that protecting amateur radio bands involves considerably more than discovering an empty frequency and hoping nobody else wants it.

Read the full IARU Region 3 report - Link

IARU Region 3 - Link

Image sourced from the IARU R3 Website Story.

Page Last Updated: Monday, 07 Sep 2026 at 22:28 hours by Justin Giles-clark

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