Radio Society of Great Britain | Emergency Communications


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	RSGB Position Statement with respect to Public Service radio

	1. The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) is pleased to declare that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into with the Radio Amateurs Emergency Network (The Network) in 2005 created a favourable framework within which the relationships between the two organisations could be further enhanced. 2. RSGB understands its duty as the nationally recognised Radio Society to work, in tandem with representatives of the Amateur Satellite Service in the United Kingdom (UK), as specified in Article 25 of the ITU Regulations, to negotiate with the Office for Communications (Ofcom), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and their successors on all matters that directly affect the licensing and regulation of licensed radio amateurs in the UK. 3. RSGB also understands its duty as an elected Member Society of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) to represent all licensed radio amateurs in the UK to the IARU and through that forum to other Member Societies, the European Union (EU) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)—a division of the United Nations (UN). 4. RSGB intends to continue to discharge those responsibilities to the well-being of all licensed amateurs in the UK. 5. RSGB acknowledges that any radio amateur or group of amateurs has the right to lobby, give advice to or share information with any locally elected political representative, Member of Parliament (MP), Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Government Organisation or Government Department, local or national. 6. RSGB will always support any such initiative if it seeks improvements to particular aspects of the hobby within negotiated legal frameworks. However, in considering such courses of action RSGB will not support any activity that seeks to directly alter the legal agreements entered into after negotiation with Ofcom and MoD, or seeks to replace the role of RSGB as set out in paragraph 2 above. Indeed, RSGB will always seek to support any lobbying initiative or information sharing action that is seen to be for the benefit of licensed amateurs but reserves the right not to support any lobbying or initiative that is not viewed in that light or which is considered either vexatious, unduly costly or seen to lack merit. 7. This position statement is intended to cover all aspects of our hobby. With particular regard to RAEN (the Network), RSGB intends to replace the MoU of 2005 with this statement setting out RSGB’s duty requirements whilst working with the Network to support lobbying and similar initiatives that are clearly for the benefit of all licensed amateurs in the UK and where the content of such initiatives is freely discussed prior to action. 8. In the area of Emergency Communications RSGB will continue to support any Club, Association, Society or Group affiliated to RSGB and will support and assist any Club, Association, Society or Group seeking such affiliation. RSGB will continue to offer experience and knowledge to all Groups, including the Network, involved in Emergency and other Public Service Communications and will in the first instance channel such expertise through the RSGB Board Member holding the Public Service Portfolio or its successor. The RSGB Administration Centre or designated alternative department, shall make available information to any Group or individual who contacts the RSGB seeking information. 9. RSGB is determined, in conjunction with the Network, to continue to build upon and further expand the excellent working arrangements that have been applied by both organisations since the signing of the MoU resulting in clearly identified benefits to all UK licensed amateurs, and in recognition of the need to represent a unified approach to the general public. It is proposed that a meeting is held at 6 monthly intervals between the two organisations to discuss all matters of mutual interest. 10. This statement hereby sets aside the MoU of 2005 and moves to this more formal arrangement. Over time further revisions and improvements may be made to this document, as a result of a process of co-operation and dialogue between RSGB and the Network.