LIPD Information Page

LIPD stands for "Low Interference Potential Devices" and refers to an amendment passed by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) on the 13th June, 1997. This rather damaging legislation has the potential to render more than a hundred Australian repeaters useless on the 70cm amateur band. This legislation was passed despite opposition from the WIA, who put in a submission which appears to have been largely ignored by the ACA.

NEWS:

23 May 1999: Barry White, VK2AAB seeks information on Suburban Power Line Networks using 2-20MHz for data transmission.
20 May 1999: Transurban e-Tag LIPDS operate in the 9cm Amateur Band
18 May 1999: From the ARRL: 80 Metre LIPDs in Australia are 20dB worse than in the USA.
17 May 1999: VK3ROU cops LIPD interference - The crane controller stikes again - this time from more than 17km away!
2 May 1999: The USS Carl Vinson wipes out LIPDs in Hobart
1 May 1999: VK3RSE repeater cops it again! Interference times out repeater for several hours.
20 April 1999: VK3RHF repeater now getting interference problems.
14 April 1999: ACA response to LIPD in the 70cm band. Many people are now also receiving copies of this in the mail.
13 April 1999: Australia - The Dumping Ground for worlds outdated junk? (Europe moves LIPDs to 868MHz)
12 April 1999: Airborne High Power LIPDs? ... Have a look at this interesting article from Rod, VK2BQJ
10 April 1999: 70 cm - "Threats from 2 sides" - Editorial from VK1 division broadcast.
6 April 1999: All amateurs informed by mail of 70cm use during Olympics. Do you recall getting one of these about LIPD?
3 April 1999: Commercial use of the 2 metre band?  Have a look at this..
3 April 1999: Class licence operations on the 70-cm band including a statement from Dick Smith Electronics, from Vic Div news..
30 March 1999: Discussions continue between ACA and WIA on how to solve the problem.
27 March 1999: LIPD legislation could compromise WICEN's assistance with the Y2K problem.
26 March 1999: VK3RSE repeater put off air by Industrial Crane Controller!!!
25 March 1999: Chris Endmonson, VK3CE indicates that Two Ministers are also now looking into the problem. The LIPD legislation also has the potential to cause problems with communications at the Olympics.
19 March 1999: WICEN NSW express concern over LIPD issues.
18 March 1999. ACA call special meeting to discuss complaints received from amateur radio operators.
15 March 1999. Cordless headphones operating under LIPD schedule JAM the VK3RSE repeater!
14 March 1999: Concerned hams submit more than 120 complaints at EMDRC hamfest.
8 March 1999: Dick Smith Electronics release license free hand-held operating in 70cm band.
5 October 1998: Car reseller in SA tries to get repeater switched off.

The LIPD legislation:

Here is an extract from the LIPD legislation, which shows only the frequencies in this schedule which affect amateur bands. A full list of the schedule can be found here. Notice that this legislation affects more than just the 70cm band!  Did someone drop the decimal point? So whats an extra 20dB or so when it comes to interference potential.....

What can I do about it?

There are a number of things you can do to help defend 70cm.
Draft your own letter of complaint. Here are a few examples of what others have sent.
Who do I send the complaints to?
 

Comments and related articles:

This article, provided by Ron Killeen, outlines an example of poor frequency planning and its affects.
An interesting observation from Peter Fraser on LIPD on the CB band.

(Email of comments and suggestions most welcome)