Re: LIPD compromises WICEN’s effectiveness.

Dear Sir,
 as a holder of a current amateur radio license and a member of WICEN, the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network and therefore a user of the frequency range 433.05 to 434.79MHz I wish to voice my opposition to the schedule "Radio communications Class License (Low Interference Potential Devices)" in particular item 17, column 1 of  the section 132 and 135 amendment dated 13th June 1997.

Over the years WICEN, a registered DISPLAN organisation,  has built a number of portable repeaters in this range funded by donations and a great deal of volunteer effort. WICEN also makes use of the permanent repeater network administered by the Wireless Institute of Australia and other individuals for use in training excercises.

As the repeater network has been designed to enhance our communication range as much as possible, all of these devices are installed in high altitude locations and are equipped with very sensitive receivers. It is quite possible for transmitters using the power levels recommended in item 17 to cause harmful interference to our repeater network. This was highlighted recently when a device operating under the LIPD legislation caused significant interference to a repeater in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Devices operating under the LIPD have the potential to serverely compromise the ability of WICEN to provide effective support should we be required to assist in times of community need.

I strongly oppose this schedule which allows an unlicensed user of this part of the spectrum to quite legally and unknowingly cause harmful interference to our repeater network, and possibly cause unnecessary suffering if the system is required by WICEN to be used to assist in times of community need.

I, as a member of WICEN and also paying user of the frequencies stated, request that the allocation addressed in item 17 be removed from this schedule immediately. I look forward to your immediate attention to and resolution of this matter.

Sincerely,