ITU Radio Regulations

Primary and Secondary Allocations

  • Frequency allocations are made by the ITU on a Primary or Secondary basis – in effect, determining the priority of the individual radio services
  • Most of the amateur bands within the scope of the exam syllabus are allocated on a Primary basis
    [although outside the scope of the exam syllabus, it is worth noting that some of these allocations are on a Primary Shared basis, i.e. the band is shared with other non-amateur primary users]
  • Three of the amateur bands within the scope of the exam syllabus are allocated on a Secondary basis (see Operational Bands)
    • The 10 MHz, 50 MHz and 70 MHz bands are allocated to radio amateurs on a Secondary basis
  • The Radio Regulations specify that stations with a Secondary allocation …
    • shall not cause harmful interference to stations of Primary services, and
    • cannot claim protection from harmful interference from stations with a Primary allocation