Appeal for Opinions concerning the Ministerial Ordinance on the Partial Revision of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (draft)

1.Background of revision

  Article 48 of the Radio Equipment Regulations based on the Radio Act provides for the technical requirements for marine radars to ensure safety navigation of vessels.
   Marine radars are required to produce high output to extend the maximum detectable range and magnetron has been used traditionally as a transmission amplifying element because of its reasonable price and efficiency. However, magnetron has a short lifetime (about one year in the case of regular use) and unnecessary emission is frequent. In addition, the emitted frequency is unstable.
  In recent years, it has become possible to introduce solid-state components (semiconductor amplifiers) as amplifying elements for marine radars due to the improvement of their performance. When solid-state elements are used, there are a number of merits such as prolonged lifetime, reduction in unnecessary emissions and stabilization of frequency compared to traditional marine radars.
  MIC will improve related provisions, as the Information and Communications Council compiled the technical requirements for marine radars using solid-state components.
   MIC will review spare parts to be used when solid-state components are adopted in exchange for spare parts (vacuum tubes and rectifying tubes for transmission) provided for in Article 31, Paragraph 1, Item (i) of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act.
 

2.Outline of revision

(1) Add spare parts necessary for marine radars using solid-state components
(2) Shall not require to install spare parts for radio equipment using semiconductor elements in exchange for last stage amplifier tubes of electricity for transmission
(3) Add the technical requirements for marine radars using solid-state components
(4) Add testing methods of model verification of marine radars using solid-state components
 

3.Guidelines for public appeal for opinions

Subject of appeal for opinions: the Ministerial Ordinance on the Partial Revision of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Radio Act (draft) Deadline for submissions of opinions: May 7 (Mon), 2012, 17:00 PM (in case of submission by mail, they must arrive by said date) The guidelines for public appeal for opinions are as described in Exhibit. The draft revision (comparison table) will be available for view at contacts and posted on the section of Press Release on the MIC website (http://www.soumu.go.jp) and the section of Public Comment on e-Gov (http://www.e-gov.go.jp).
 

4.Future schedule

  MIC will swiftly revise the Ministerial Ordinance, etc. based on opinions to be received.