Gippsland Gate Radio and Electronics Club > News > Archived 2004...Enthusiasts promoting electronics

Exclusion zone for 70cm band in Victoria
(Oct 2004)
The bottom half of the 70 centimetre band is no longer available for amateur radio in most of Victoria as the result of a new exclusion zone that has just become law through an amendment to the Amateur Licence Conditions.

The ACA has prohibited amateur radio activity on the 420-430 MHz band within Victoria in an area of up to a 250 kilometre radius of the Melbourne General Post Office. That band will now be used for a new state-of-the-art digital radio system to replace the current analogue systems of the Victoria Police, Metropolitan Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

From WIA web site
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BPL interference not confined to HF
(Oct 2004)
Measurements carried out in Japan clearly demonstrate that interference from a broadband power line (BPL) system generates spurious RF emissions beyond 300 MHz. BPL injects RF energy along power lines to provide broadband Internet services into homes and businesses, but it also leaks radiation as modulated carriers at intervals of about 1 kHz. The frequencies used are commonly between 2 MHz and 30 MHz and some proposed systems will extend this to 80 MHz. As the electricity distribution lines were never designed to carry RF, they act like an antenna system, and due to the electricity grid not being perfect, intermodulation products and harmonics are created too.

Japanese tests detected higher frequency spurious BPL emissions between 310 MHz and 340 MHz at distances of up to 55 metres from a BPL-enabled power line. Apart from HF communications, BPL has the potential to interfere with TV and FM broadcasts, VHF land mobile operations, aircraft VHF communications, maritime VHF communications as well as amateur 6m and 2m operation. Read the Japanese technical report - Roger Harrison VK2ZRH
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The National WIA and the Clubs - Working Together
(Oct 2004)
The National WIA board has received many suggestions from visits to clubs by directors as to how the clubs and the national WIA might work together more effectively.

Many clubs have identified the need to establish an information flow between the clubs and the WIA. To this end work, has commenced on linking the WIA website to the club web sites and providing a complete list of the clubs, when they meet and how to contact them on the National WIA website as well as in the next issue of the WIA Callbook.

A link from the WIA web site to the clubs web pages has now been provided. It can be entered via the link at the top right hand side of the WIA home page, and is marked "amateur radio clubs of Australia".

The WIA does not have a complete and up to date list of all the clubs and special interest groups. We need your help to complete this list. If you are a member of a club or special interest group, take a look at the entry for your club or group on the WIA web site and let us know as soon as you can any corrections or additional information we should add to your clubs listing. All you need to do is send an e-mail to WIA director, Ted Thrift, VK2ARA at tthrift@iprimus.com.au listing what changers are needed.

More initiatives will be released shortly as the board and the clubs continue to define how best to work together.

Europe considers Foundation Licence concept
(Oct 2004)
A new entry level licence is being seriously considered by Europe based on the British Foundation licence that was introduced in 2002. The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has been able to provide an example of how such entry point licensing can work and this has captured the attention of other European radio societies. Several countries in Europe have been considering the introduction of a new licence to make amateur radio more attractive, but most believe it is essential for it to be achieved through the common CEPT (Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) licence system rather than nation by nation.

A meeting of European national radio societies has concluded that a future CEPT Foundation Licence must have a substantial access to HF, as well as VHF and UHF to show newcomers all aspects of amateur radio.

All operating modes - phone and data, should be encouraged by the licence. The intention would be to get newcomers involved quickly to build up their interest. Progression from entry to full licence is a main objective. The next step is to explore the issue informally with the CEPT and for the European radio societies to discuss it further at their next meeting.

The proposed Australian Foundation Licence to be introduced in 2005 is out of step and unlikely to qualify for CEPT recognition because the ACA has decided to restrict it to voice and hand-keyed Morse code only. The ACA is also watching overseas developments closely and may still yet be convinced that an all mode Foundation Licence is vital for the future of amateur radio in Australia, while also achieving international licence harmony.
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Important Amateur Radio Issues
Being Discussed At Meetings in Geneva
(Oct 2004)
The long journey to the next World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC 07)has started with a meeting of the Working Party 8A of the

Radiocommunications Study Groups of the ITU from September 6th to 15th, with two important amateur radio questions under discussion.

The first is an IARU proposal for a new amateur band from 135.7-137.8 kHz. This proposal is moving forward well, and it appears that there will be support for a new world wide allocation at the next World Radio Conference in 2007.

The second is a proposal from the short wave broadcasting community for up to 850 KHz more spectrum between 4 and 10 MHz. If approved, the spectrum would have to be given up by other users, namely the fixed service, the mobile service, the amateur radio service and the radio navigation service. None of these are interested in giving up spectrum. The discussions are well along, but there is no solution in sight.

For both of the above items, amateurs from Canada, the USA, the UK, and Japan are actively participating. Amateurs from many other countries are also present but active in other areas.

Later in September, and during much of October, these same issues, as well as matters related to BPL, will be discussed by other groups with different points of view.

In all of these meetings, Ken Pulfer VE3PU will be attending on behalf of the IARU, and will also be a member of the Canadian delegation. He has agreed to provide the RAC web site with news reports as the meetings progress.
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Tasmanian Divisional Meeting Confirms
Moves Towards The National WIA
(Oct 2004)
The special general meeting held on Sunday, September 19 at Ross to resolve the future of the Tasmanian Division ratified the VK7 council recommendations. The meeting passed the special resolutions to apply for dissolution of the Division, and to pass the surplus funds to National WIA after deregistration is effected. The Divisional council was duly authorised to dissolve the Branches. The process will now be administrative, to finalise the financial side of the wind up, and within a month apply to Corporate Affairs for deregistration.

Two new clubs have been formed to take the place of the Northern and

Southern Branches. These are respectively Northern Tasmanian Amateur Radio and Electronics Group, and Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania Inc. It is expected that a new club to be formed in the North West of the state in the next twelve months. Both of the new clubs will apply to affiliate with the National WIA.

The Southern Tasmanian Association has agreed to host the records of theDivision and other historical documents, as it has storage facilities. As the old Branches were formerly dependent on the Division to supply a number of services some seed funding has been necessary to make sure that they will be financially viable. This has the effect of reducing the surplus payable to National, but members felt that in the long term it will ensure the strength and continuity of the clubs and ultimately of the WIA in Tasmania.

Phil Corby, Tasmanian Divisional president reported he was personally

pleased to see at the meeting many who have been long time members and supporters of the "Institute" as the Tasmanian Division was usually called. He added that he felt that this show of support augers well for the future for the National WIA.
From WIA web site.
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BBC Expresses Concern Over BPL Rollout and it's Potential Interference to Digital Broadcasting
(Oct 2004)
Fears for New Digital Radio System
By Chris McWhinnie
BBC Monitoring in Amsterdam

Plans to offer the internet using mains electricity cables could cause so much interference that new digital radio stations could be obliterated, a broadcasting conference has been told. The warning came from Peter Senger, the chair of the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam. DRM is a standard agreed by world broadcasters for a completely new short wave radio system.

The new internet power line distribution system has been evaluated by engineers, including the BBC, and has been found to affect short wave in particular. Short wave is mainly used to broadcast internationally and the AM bands have been used since radio first started in the 1920s. The DRM system uses existing AM broadcast frequencies to deliver near-FM quality digital sound. It uses compression to squeeze clear digital sound into the narrow radio channels that currently carry crackly analogue signals.

The DRM technology has the potential to make digital radio available in places that Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio or even FM will probably never reach. As for the hardware required to hear these stations, there will be a new consumer DRM radio in the shops by Christmas 2005 and a tiny PC-only DRM set is already on sale.

DRM is not being used by many radio stations yet. However a number of radio stations have seen the potential for new cross-border radio stations. A Germany-based music station is believed to be in the planning stages. BBC World Service and its counterparts abroad already have some regular DRM programmes and are backing the system.

DRM is being seriously considered in many countries where the FM radio band is full. China sees DRM as the answer to pushing digital radio across its vast territory.

The UK is not planning to use DRM for domestic radio. The UK has pinned its digital hopes instead on DAB, which offers stations like BBC 1Xtra, 6 Music, Oneword and Core. More digital radios have been sold in the UK than any other country.

Switching-off analogue FM and AM may take years and making millions of much-loved analogue radio sets useless will no doubt be controversial.

If power line internet transmission is introduced, then international broadcasting on shortwave may also be consigned to history due to the interference from data travelling over mains electricity cables.

Story from BBC NEWS:
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LF band for VK likely by 2008
(Oct 2004)
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is continuing to push for a new low frequency amateur band from 135.7-137.8 kHz. The allocation is on the agenda for the World Radiocommunications Conference in 2007, although it is already available as a secondary allocation in 25 countries including all of Europe, Canada, the United States and New Zealand.

The Wireless Institute of Australia first requested an LF band two decades ago when VK radio amateurs, using Scientific Licences, were engaged in pioneering experimentation on lower frequency spectrum. The WIA has been unsuccessful so far in achieving an Australian allocation. The ACA over the past decade has had 'reasons' for not giving making the band available as a secondary allocation. One of these was that it could have regional implications.

Another barrier was concern about Long Wave broadcasters in the northern hemisphere, and then doubt over the possible future use of the spectrum by another radio service. The ACA also wanted to see that the band had IARU support, which it now certainly does, and its latest position is that it notes that the matter will be discussed at the WRC07.

The end result is that when the LF band is adopted at WRC07, plus the time it takes to amend the Australian Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan, VK radio amateurs should get the band by 2008.
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ACA blueprint for spectrum management (Sep 2004)
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) has provided an insight into its thinking and policy approach to the management of Australia's radiofrequency spectrum. In a document entitled From DC to daylight-accounting for use of the spectrum in Australia, if outlines the available spectrum resource, its users and the pressures for access to it. It describes the main uses of the radiofrequency spectrum, how those uses might be affected by change and the key challenges faced by the ACA as it tries to accommodate an increasing demand for spectrum.

Among the new uses are wireless applications to meet consumer demand for broadband and cordless communications. In some cases spectrum will need to re-allocated after migrating existing users elsewhere, dynamically shared by different users through technology such as spread spectrum, or sold as blocks through spectrum auctions.

The ACA report, in referring to the Amateur Service, notes the decline being experienced in licence numbers in Australia and overseas. Overall about 5% of the spectrum is allocated to the Amateur Service. Where there are secondary allocations the ACA said that the Amateur Service may need to vacate in preference to other users - with this now occurring at 420-430MHz and 3.4 and 3.5GHz.
From WIA
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ACA consultation methodology revealed (Sep 2004)
It was with great enthusiasm the amateur radio fraternity received the Australian Communications Authority's discussion paper 12 months ago on its Review of Amateur Service Regulation. The outcome of the review will undoubtedly provide a number of benefits for amateur radio in Australia before the middle of 2005.

However there is continuing disappointment being expressed over the Foundation Licence that as proposed, does not meet the expressed expectations of the majority of those who made submissions to the ACA inquiry. In answer to correspondence, the ACA has revealed that it sought to achieve, what it calls an overall integrated package of proposals. In doing so it was not necessarily influenced by the number of submissions it received commenting on a particular issue.

The ACA review of the Amateur Service was primarily to deal with matters arising out of the World Radiocommunications Conference 2003. But it was also recognised as a once in a generation opportunity to address the underlying issues that are causing its decline, and take action to make amateur radio more attractive to a wider range of people. The review was a chance to respond to the challenge of finding ways to revive amateur radio in Australia, give it a new life, meaning and relevance to today's societies.

The Foundation Licence, as proposed will provide no foundation or underpinning for amateur radio in Australia. Despite the overwhelming support through the submissions received during the ACA inquiry for this new entry level licence to have all transmission modes, the ACA has not listened. It chose to create a telephony and Morse code telegraphy licence only.

The amateur radio fraternity sees the desperate need for change and has embraced a different approach to licensing that reflects trends that have developed in education generally. The ACA in deciding to place enormous restrictions on the Foundation Licence won't help amateur radio integrate in to today's educational and social climate.
From WIA
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EMR audits for radio amateurs (Sep 2004)
The electromagnetic radiation (EMR) limits that govern the operation of amateur stations are now being put to a compliance audit by the Australian Communications Authority. The ACA now conducting an audit by writing to randomly selected amateur licensees, in the first of what will be an annual auditing process of compliance with the EMR limits.

Those limits that apply to all apparatus licensed transmitters became effective on 1 March, 2003, and the Amateur Licence Condition Determinations have been amended to include this new regulatory requirement. They are designed to ensure that a transmitter is operated at safe levels for general public exposure to radiation. The ACA is required to conduct an annual audit of compliance with the EMR limits set out in the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation-Human Exposure) Standard.

It will write to 30 or so radio amateurs throughout Australia to request that the licensee attests that their station is operating within the EMR limits, and explain how its meets compliance under the self-assessment method. This applies not only to home stations but mobile and portable stations too. The radio amateurs receiving the letters are chosen at random.

A failure to respond to the ACA letter or an inadequate response will result in the ACA initiating follow-up action to enable it to complete the audit. The EMR requirements for amateur stations were included in the February 2003 edition of Amateur Radio magazine, and can be found on the ACA web-site http://www.aca.gov.au/ Remember that it is a licence obligation that amateur stations or all types be operated in accord with the EMR limits.
From WIA
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Broadband over Power Line threat
( July 2004 )
The WIA has recently stated its position on BPL, also known as PLC or power line communications. WIA National President Michael Owen VK3KI says while access to broadband capability is important to Australia, it must not cause interference to legitimate users of high frequency radio spectrum.
The WIA is encouraged that the ACA is continuing to develop policies to address the issues arising out of BPL PLC.
The WIA notes that BPL PLC does not provide sufficiently large bandwidth that is obtainable from fibre optic cabling, and may have less attraction in the market place in the long term. The WIA says limited trials which may be conducted from time to time by promoters of BPL PLC are not a good indication of what can be expected with a large scale roll out of the technology.
WIA National Director, Phil Wait VK2DKN is now heading a WIA team that will develop further responses and strategies to counter the threat to amateur radio of BPL PLC in Australia.
The WIA is not the only group with an interest in HF communications that is taking a stand against the technology. A number of other HF users share the WIA's concerns and see it as a threat to their use of that part of the spectrum.

The BPL PLC trial in Hobart
The main energy company in Tasmania, Aurora has completed a small pilot of BPL PLC that provided Internet access to four homes and two floors of its office building in Hobart. Electronics firm Mitsubishi supplied the hardware for the trial that involved seven online users and ran for about two months.
The system uses multiple discreet carriers approximately every 1.1 kHz between about 1.6 MHz and 30 MHz. The WIA in Tasmania monitored the trial that was confined in area and did not use overhead mains power cabling as its transmission medium. Strong multiple carriers of the system and a click every second were received in the vicinity of the trial site.
The ACA was also invited to witness the BPL PLC trial. The ACA recognises BPL is an emerging technology with the potential to play a significant role in delivery improved broadband access to the general public. It is monitoring the debate and studies underway in Europe and the United States.
In the mean time, the ACA is seeking to establish regulatory arrangements that do not unnecessarily block the use of BPL PLC, but at the same time provide reasonable measures to adequately protect radiocommunications reception.
From WIA

The new HF band
Access to the 60-metre band in a number of countries is proving to be a boon to amateur radio with the new band providing international contacts. Some radio amateurs in the United States are reporting having worked all mainland states and into Britain on as little as 20 watts on frequencies around 5.4 MHz.
The United States has a number of channels on the band available to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis - that is that they do no cause interference to others uses of that spectrum.
A number of other countries have also given restricted access to their radio amateurs while others are allowing beacon or short-term test transmissions.
For example, the Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland VO1MRC recently conducted experiments using a CW beacon alternately into a low-angle aerial vertical antenna and a high-angle inverted V. The WIA recognises the potential of gaining access to spectrum around 5MHz and is now negotiating with the ACA on this issue.
Aussie schools prepare for chats with space station
At least five Australian school listed to speak via amateur radio with crew on board the International Space Station. The Amateur Radio ISS coordinator Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI says the waiting list for schools is currently around 18 months and a number Australian schools will get their turn in the next 12 months.

Stealth wallpaper to combat eavesdropping
A British defence manufacturer has developed a "wallpaper" to block electronic eavesdropping on wireless LANs used indoors. The material is made in a similar way to flexible printed circuit boards using copper strips on a plastic substrate. Its use prevent outsiders from listening in on in-building wireless LAN traffic, while letting through other signals such as broadcast radio and mobile phone calls. Info: http://networks.silicon.com/lans/0,39024663,39121501,00.htm

AMSAT Echo Satellite Launched Successfully
( July 2004 )

At 0630UTC on the 28th of June the http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo AMSAT Echo amateur radio satellite was successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Telemetry from the satellite can be received on 435.150MHz FM. The 10-inch-square microsat, equipped with a transmitter capable of up to 7 watts output, will allow voice communications using handheld FM transceivers. However, AMSAT requests that amateurs do not transmit to Echo until checkout and commissioning has been completed and the satellite is made available for general use.

There will be a presentation on Echo at the http://www.uk.amsat.org\t AMSAT-UK Space Symposium which is being held from the 30th of July to 1st of August at the University of Surrey, Guildford. This event is open to all radio amateurs and SWLs and for further information on it please contact the AMSAT-UK secretary, Jim Heck, G3WGM, on 01 258 453 959 or e-mail: g3wgm@amsat.org

Astronaut and Cosmonaut Operate Simultaneously from ISS
Staying in space and - for the first time - an astronaut and a cosmonaut have been on the air simultaneously from both of the ARISS operating positions on the Space Station. Astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, operating as NA1SS, made about 60 contacts on 2 metres during the ARRL Field Day last weekend, while Expedition 9 Commander Gennady Padalka, RN3DT, operated on 70-centimetres as RS0ISS. Thanks to the http://www.arrl.org ARRL for this news story.

Actor and radio amateur Marlon Brando is a Silent Key
One of the best-known names in cinematic as well as amateur radio circles, actor Marlon Brando, died on the 1st of July at the age of 80. Known to hams world-wide as KE6PZH and FO5GJ, Brando is listed on the FCC database as Martin Brandeaux. He was on the air occasionally through the years with his FO5 callsign from his private island in French Polynesia. In an interview with Larry King on CNN recorded in 1994 and shown again this week, Brando confirmed his continued interest in amateur radio. In response to a caller's question, he said amateur radio provided him with the opportunity to "just be himself".
From RSGB
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The new WIA gets constitutional approval (May 2004)
The resumed WIA Federal Convention was held via a teleconference today (16 May) and voted by the required majority to accept the constitution of the new nationally based Wireless Institute of Australia.

The result was a "yes" vote from VK1, VK2, VK4, VK5/8, VK6 and VK7. In line with public undertakings by the WIA Victoria Council, the VK3 representative Peter Mill VK3APO voted "no".

Those undertakings included the seeking of legal advice on the proposals in relation to the new national WIA, and taking a vote of the membership.

The voting process was difficult, and the required majority came about when the VK2 Federal Councillor voted apparently contrary to the instructions of the WIA NSW Council.

The VK2 alternative federal councillor also participating in the teleconference disputed the vote, but it was recorded in the affirmative.

The WIA now has a new President, Michael Owen VK3KI, with the Vice President being Ernie Hocking VK1LK.

The other directors are Glenn Dunstan VK4DU, Ewan McLeod VK4ERM, Phil Wait VK2DKN, Edward Thrift VK2ARA and Trevor Quick VK5ATQ.

The collateral or implementation agreement that for the new WIA involving all seven WIA Divisions is still to be negotiated.

WIA Victoria is proceeding to seek the legal advice on the implementation agreement to ensure safeguards for its membership, services and assets. A vote of the membership is also still required before that agreement can be signed.

New Victorian Amateur Radio Club
A new amateur radio club is being formed in the Macedon Ranges area of Victoria, north-west of Melbourne. The Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club first meeting will be on Saturday 7 February, at the Woodend SES Headquarters, in Urquhart Street Woodend, at 9.30am. It hopes to have meetings every Saturday morning at that venue.

Further details are available from Peter Willmott VK3TQ on 5427 2660 Peter.Willmott@mt.com

IARU Region 3 Conference
The 12th conference of the International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 will be held from February 16 to 20, Taipei, Taiwan.

The WIA delegation is Neil Penfold VK6NE, Brenda Edmonds VK3KT and Jim Linton VK3PC.

This important regional conference will discuss the outcomes of the World Radiocommunications Conference 2003 and a number of papers have been generated for discussion and debate. The WIA has six papers which include electromagnetic radio regulations, proposed licence restructure, powerline communications or BPL, and Local Government approaches to antennas.

The NZART is addressing the problem of diminishing numbers of radio amateurs, its KiwiSat AMSAT project and a range of other matters of interest such as developing amateur radio in the Pacific Islands and LF band activity in New Zealand.

Other papers submitted include those concerning regional band plans, promotion of ARDF, and emergency communications.

The IARU Region 3 Conference will break into various at least three working groups where most of the business is discussed and these run parallel.

The three WIA delegates will be fully occupied attending these working groups and actively participating, and well as engaged in the many informal gatherings that occur over meals and on other occasions.

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ACA review outcome – some decisions made
(The Presidents Notes For January 2004.)

The ACA has decided that Australia will fully participate in the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) licensing system that gives radio amateurs total reciprocal operating privileges.

While Australia is one of about 60 countries in the CEPT system, it has not signed up for the CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01 that enables radio amateurs to operate in another country without needing to take out a licence in that country.

The ACA says it’s now talking to the CEPT about the matter and expects to be able to announce by mid-2004 that VK radio amateurs and foreign CEPT radio amateurs on short term visits to Australia will have mutual visiting rights privileges.

The ACA will not make any changes to current regulatory arrangements in regard to amateur communications during disasters.

The ACA is still considering whether to permit the encryption of transmissions for operations and training with emergency services. And the issue of using abbreviated callsigns during training and emergency communications is still undecided.

Prohibition of international communications under certain conditions
If another country seeks a prohibition on communication with its radio amateurs, then this will be published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, and communicated to the amateur radio community.

The ACA will remove the prohibition on third party communications with overseas countries, unless another country seeks such a prohibition.

The ACA will continue to verify the operational and technical qualifications of any person wishing to operate an amateur station.

The ACA will continue to impose limits on the purity and stability of emitted frequencies, and maximum power limits on amateur stations in accordance with the ITU's requirements for transmitting stations.

The ITU requirements will be incorporated into the ACA's public information documents in early 2004 to ensure that they are available to amateur licensees.

The ACA will not make any changes to current regulatory arrangements in regard to interference to other stations by stations in the amateur-satellite service.

The ACA will update the Amateur Internet Linking System (AILS) consumer fact sheet to incorporate changes to third party communication arrangements.

The ACA had earlier announced that the Morse code proficiency requirement for amateur licensing would end, and as an interim measure Limited and Novice-Limited licensees will gain operating privileges below 30MHz from 1 January, 2004.

The ACA is working through the 1,400 submissions it received in response to its review of amateur service regulations in relation to the remaining proposals, including the licensing structure and the no-interference policy.