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HFCC (High Frequency Co-ordination Conference) is a group active in informal co-ordination of frequency channels used in short wave broadcasting. Its history started in 1990 when broadcasters from both sides of the former Iron Curtain met for the first time in Pamporovo, Bulgaria with the aim of establishing co-operation in that sphere.
HFCC is an open, non-profit, independent and voluntary body. The main objective of the HFCC is to provide the representation and services for the promotion of an efficient and economical use of the short-wave radio spectrum, and the improvement of radio reception of short-wave broadcast transmissions world-wide. The progressive reduction of short-wave transmitter powers, leading to savings in both transmitter and energy costs and a consequent limitation of the impact of high level electromagnetic fields on the world environment is another important objective of the HFCC.
HFCC's main activity is a direct co-ordination of frequencies among frequency managers and specialists of broadcasters, administrations, transmission service providers and other organisations with the aim to facilitate the resolution or minimisation of mutual interference on short waves. HFCC co-ordinates two schedules annually: The A schedule corresponds to the summer period on the Northern hemisphere and B to the winter period in keeping with the dates of the clock-time changes in Europe. Therefore, two co-ordination conferences are held each year. The meetings have been increasingly successful in resolving cases of adjacent or co-channel interference among stations on short waves.
Membership in the HFCC is open to all individuals and organisations that provide frequency management and planning for recognised short wave broadcasters. Those wishing to attend are first invited as observers to a seasonal conference. Membership is extended to observers at the conclusion of the meeting.
HFCC is a legal entity registered as a civic association in the Czech Republic. It is also registered as a regional co-ordination group with the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva. The activity of the HFCC is not in conflict with International Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU - UIT). On the contrary, the activity of the HFCC was subject to a comprehensive research and attention of a special task group that has been set up by the ITU several years ago in an effort to improve the methods of frequency management and planning in short wave broadcasting. The specialised group recommended that the co-ordination - as developed in the HFCC - should become a part of the frequency management procedures. The principles of co-ordination were incorporated into the International Radio Regulations during the 1997 World Radio Conference.
The new Article S12 of the ITU Regulations anticipates the creation of several regional co-ordination groups. The HFCC helped create a separate, sister co-ordination group in the Asia - Pacific region even before the new article was introduced into the Regulations. The ABU-HFC group has been active since 1996, and works closely with the headquarters of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union. It uses the software developed by the HFCC. Both groups exchange the co-ordinated combined schedules of their members and work together on procedures for inter-group co-ordination.
An important niche in the history of the HFCC was reached in 1998: Short wave broadcasters in member countries of the Arab States Broadcasting Union decided that they would join the co-ordination activities organised by the HFCC. Since then, the HFCC and ASBU has held joint meetings.
Another co-ordination group has also started its activity in Africa South of Sahara. In addition, Sentech of South Africa has become a member of the HFCC during the August 1999 Vienna HFCC/ASBU meeting.
A HISTORY OF HFCC CONFERENCES |
SEASON |
VENUE |
HOST |
DATES |
W90 |
Pamporovo, Bulgaria |
Radio Sofia |
24-28.09.90 |
Z91 |
Prague, Czechoslovakia |
Radio Prague |
09-11.04.91 |
W91 |
Sinaia, Romania |
Radio Romania |
26-29.08.91 |
Z92 |
Budapest, Hungary |
Magyar Radio |
23-27.03.92 |
W92 |
Evesham, England |
BBCWS |
17-22.08.92 |
Z93 |
Cologne, Germany |
DW |
01-05.03.93 |
W93 |
Hilversum, Holland |
RNW |
16-20.08.93 |
Z94 |
Rome, Italy |
Vatican Radio |
21-25.02.94 |
W94 |
Paris, France |
TDF |
22-26.08.94 |
Z95 |
Torino, Italy |
RAI |
13-17.02.95 |
W95 |
Stockholm, Sweden |
Teracom |
07-11.08.95 |
Z96 |
Berne, Switzerland |
Swiss Telecom |
05-09.02.96 |
W96 |
Prague, Czech Republic |
Radio Prague / RFE |
19-23.08.96 |
Z97 |
Istanbul, Turkey |
TRT |
03-07.02.97 |
W97 |
Warsaw, Poland |
Polish Radio / NCA |
25-29.08.97 |
Z98 |
Bruges, Belgium |
Radio Vlaanderen |
02-06.02.98 |
B98 |
Tunis, Tunisia |
ASBU |
24-28.08.98 |
A99 |
Lisbon, Portugal |
Radiodifusao Portuguesa |
01-05.02.99 |
B99 |
Vienna, Austria |
ORF |
23-27.08.99 |
A00 |
Dubrovnik, Croatia |
HIC / HRT |
07-11.02.00 |
B00 |
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
HFCC |
21-25.08.00 |
A01 |
Geneva, Switzerland |
ITU, EBU, HFCC/ASBU |
05-09.02.01 |
B01 |
Montreal, Canada |
RCI |
27-31.08.01 |
A02 |
Bonn, Germany |
Deutsche Telekom |
04-08.02.02 |
B02 |
Bangkok, Thailand |
Merlin Communications Intl. |
26-30.08.02 |
A03 |
Sandton/Johannesburg, South Africa |
Sentech |
03-07.02.03 |
B03 |
Tromso, Norway |
Norwegian Posts and Telecommunications Authority (NPT) |
25-29.08.03 |
A04 |
Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
Emirates Media (EBC) |
09-13.02.04 |
B04 |
Helsinki, Finland |
Digita |
23-27.08.04 |
A05 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
NASB |
07-11.02.05 |
B05 |
Valencia, Spain |
Radio Nacional de Espana |
22-26.08.05 |
A06 |
Sanya, China |
RTPRC |
13-17.02.06 |
B06 |
Athens, Greece |
ERT |
28.08-01.09.06 |
A07 |
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
Emirates Media (EMI) |
05-09.02.07 |
B07 |
Birmingham, UK |
Christian Vision |
27-31.08.07 |
A08 |
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
VT Communications |
04-08.02.08 |
B08 |
Moscow, Russia |
GRFC |
25-29.08.08 |
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