Guess what? You won't be able to afford it! Telcos, TVNZ, SKYTV & Maori TV are buying up, one would suggest even more than they need.

What does it mean to TV users? Well it means you won't be able to use your current bloc allocation. This would occur to nearly 100% of users and even though they are giving users a 5 year transition to vacate the bloc, they are not allocating any other bloc for casual users with professional gear.

Why? Because we are Secondary users meaning, we are allowed to use empty spaces between allocated spectrum. But if that bloc is sold off (which is what is proposed) you simply have to find another.

Problems? Since internet wireless, new cell phones and digital TV, everything that is left is at weird parts of the spectrum and is on different blocs in different cities.

Two things can happen if you choose to do nothing. You turn on your radio and it doesn't work.. or you get fined if you are interfering with someone who has paid the license. In the UK there are frequency police who hang outside events ready to fine you.

Even though this is happening everywhere, the government doesn't know exactly what to do. Big business has the bucks and we have.. well nothing..

We could all ban together and write letters to the prime minister which is what some other organizations are advocating... but here there is a group set up exactly for that.

Haresh Bahna, Nick Treacy, David Maddigan who are members of NZCREWS and are very well educated in the matter are spearheading this group. They need our support and CREWS.TV are proposing some ideas where our 200 member strong contingent can have some weight with the people we are sending to Wellington.

They need two things. Our money and a charter of the gear we are using.

Check out this website
http://www.wunz.co.nz/

Keep an eye here, we are looking at getting something off the ground soon.
Let us know if you are keen to get involved. More importantly, if you don't care, we want to know why.


Otherwise, this is what will happen.

1- Next year you will need to vacate the zone. Pretty much any radio being used now will need to change frequency. So if you want to get new radios you will need to think about selling yours. Some Sound guys have 20-30K worth. But no one will buy them.. why.. our band is no good in some countries as they are doing the same.

2- in 5 years, you will not be able to operate in this band.. why.. someone else is.. mostly cell phones.

3- you will get a new radio to suit where you work the most, ie: Auckland, but that bloc may only work in New Plymouth or Rotorua. This is the case now with Hamilton, OSB have two sets of radios, one for Hamilton and one for the rest of New Zealand. In 5 years, if they want to operate, everywhere they work, they will need the same gear, in 8 different blocs. So will you.

4- in 10 years, as the other licenses finish, this will happen again.


No solution? Well our people are across it, they need our support so camera guys - you will need to dig in your pocket if you want the radio link.. otherwise be stingy and welcome the multi-cable.


Ok I know this is a complex issue, however I think the broad strokes are covered.. someone correct me if I am wrong.

Here is something the Ozzies are batting around.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/spect ... -frqz.html

May I ask if there have been any updates on the standing of this issue? And also where our donations will be used.

Regards
I

Hi Isaac,

The best place to keep up to date with where things are at is on the WUNZ website. http://www.wunz.co.nz. This organization is a voluntary one and we do endeavor to put up information as it comes to hand but you can appreciate that we can only do so much with limited resources.
As it currently stands we have put our submission in to the MED (available to download on the site) and have been told by the MED that there will be no decision until March 2010.
As to where your donation is being used;
Your donation has helped fund the writing and submitting of our submission and the continuing lobbing of government officials and Ministers. We also need funds to cover the costs of holding meetings, disseminating information to other media and getting to and from Wellington to attend MED meetings and such.
Thanks for your support and interest.
Regards,
Nick Treacy - WUNZ Committee Member