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