AmateurRadio.com

Below is a cut and paste from the QRZNOW.COM site which by the way is a great site for news and reviews in the ham radio world. 

Over the past 18 months, a proposal for an IARU HF Digital Mode reorganization has been undertaken by representatives of all three IARU Regions

IARU-R1 reports:

The objective was to review the data modes usage of the Amateur Radio HF spectrum and propose changes that:

• Reduce inter-mode conflict between dissimilar operating modes; and
• Facilitate the expansion of new technologies.

In conducting the review, it was realized that it was necessary to update the manner in which the IARU creates its band plans. Accordingly, the IARU’s band planning definition toolkit has been redefined, and additional data mode definition characteristics have been added to help separate activities that are fundamentally incompatible within the data mode family.

With the band planning process updated, the proposal then revised the band plans of all three IARU Regions, focusing on the data sub-bands and taking into consideration:

• Popularity and capacity requirements; and
• Existing band users and inter-mode compatibility assessments.

The team also took the opportunity to harmonize the band plans of all three IARU Regions to the greatest extent possible, of course.

The proposal is now being discussed with the relevant committees.

As I read the piece, I was excited to see their purpose:

• Reduce inter-mode conflict between dissimilar operating modes; and
• Facilitate the expansion of new technologies.

Whether we like it or not (I like it) the digital modes are getting the IARU's attention and their proposal is to give them more room on the bands. For me, it's great news for Amateur radio op's whether you are a supporter of data modes or not because as a whole it's a win for the community for the IARU to recognize the need for expansion! I like reading this as opposed to our community is aging, and it's going to die off along with the hobby. 

In the proposal, some in the community are not going to like giving up some bandwidth for the Date modes. Both CW and Phone segments are mentioned. For a full run down of all 3 IARU regions and the proposed bandwidth changes, here is a link  Once on the page click the "X"'s to remove the  congratulations notifications. Then, from the list, click on the "input" file folder. Scroll down the presented list to the PDF document 4th from the bottom of the list and this will give you information regarding the band plan proposal. 

The proposal is now being discussed with the relevant committees, and the translation I got from this is:

1. Nothing is going to happen anytime soon. 

2. Don't get your feathers ruffled as things in the proposal can change.