• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

NSARC 1 22 Sept 2016

Amateur Radio

in

Japan

by

Joe Y. Higuchi VE7JYH ve7jyh@rac.ca

November 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

NSARC 2 Nov. 17, 2016

Amateur Radio in Japan

Outline Joe’s Personal History

Outline of Japan – Geography, Culture, etc.

Hams in Japan – geographical distribution, regulations in

brief, manufacturers and other topics – I would like to emphasize how privileged we are in Canada in

comparison to the Japanese system. We must execute solid self

governance not to lose these privileges we sometimes do not

appreciate well enough.

Akihabara Electric Town in Tokyo – Parts professionals,

other stories

Brief and personal recommendations, if you are travelling

to Japan.

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

NSARC 3 22 Sept 2016

Joe Y. Higuchi – VE7JYH

1946 Born in Nagano, Japan, 70 y.o.

1962 Obtained a novice amateur radio license JA0ASX

1969 Graduated from International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan

Lived in a dormitory “Canada House” for 4 years

1969 Joined The Yokohama Rubber Co., Tokyo, Japan

1984 Transferred to Vancouver Office of Yokohama Tire

2005 Retired from Yokohama Tire

2006 Joined Lean Sensei International in Vancouver (Toyota Production

System consultant)

2014 Full retirement

2015 Obtained Basic Plus ham license VE7JYH and Joined

NSARC/ECT

2016 Obtained Advanced ham license

Having worked for a tire manufacturer for 37 years, I have acquired good amount of

knowledges on tires.

Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Joe Y. Higuchi–VE7JYH cont’d

My Rigs – JA0ASX 1962 at start up

80m/40m: 807 single, 6m: 2E26 single, A3 10W Output,

6AQ5pp common modulator

All home brew, 5 chassis HF-TR, VHF-TR, Mod, PWR, VFO

ANT: 80m Long Wire, 40m Dipole, 6m 3el. Cubical Quad

Receiver: RFx1, IFx2 Super Het. and 6m converter, Home brew

My Rigs – VE7JYH now, 54 years later

HF/VHF/UHF TRX: Yaesu FT857D (80m—70cm) 100W/50W

HF TRX: Yaesu FT757GX 100W

VHF/UHF TRX: Yaesu FT-1D (2m, 70cm) 5W

ANT 80m to 6m: Comet vertical, 2m/70cm: Comet GP 5m high

<<Now ready to add JT-9/JT-65HF digital modes to address

poor antenna situation, living in a townhouse.>> NSARC 4 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - • Location: East Asia, Off Eurasian continent

125 – 145deg. East, 25 – 45deg. North

Population: 127 million (10th in the world, Canada x 3.6)

Area: 338,000 km2 (62th/world, 1/3 of BC)

Population Density: 340.8p/km2

(cf 3.4p/km2 Canada or 4.3p/km2 BC)

Capital: Tokyo (metropolitan 23 wards)

Time = JST (UTC + 9 hrs.)

Telephone Country Code = +81

Outline of Japan - Geography

NSARC 5

45 N

25 N

145 E

125 E

X Tokyo

Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - • Language: Japanese

English is a tough hurdle for most Japanese (hams)!

Race: Japanese (98.5%)

Political System: Constitutional Monarchy

Emperor as the Symbolic Leader

Prime Minister as the Political Leader

Origin of the country: An independent state in 3-4th

Century with “central” government

Modern Political system from 1868

Never been occupied before 1946

Joe’s family tree story

Outline of Japan – Culture

NSARC 6

45 N

25 N

145 E

125 E

Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - • Rapidly Aging and Decreasing Society

Lowest Old Age Support ratio among 34 OECD nations

2.4/2012---------1.3/2050

(cf. Canada 4.2/2012-------2.2/2050)

Population has started decrease in 2015

127 m in 2014------- 82 m est. in 2050 (65%)

Increasing Natural Disasters

2011 Big Earthquake, Other quakes

Typhoons, Floods and Mud slides

Aging Social Infrastructure

Dark side of 60s-80s very rapid growth

Increasing visitors mainly from Asia

Est. 2,200 million in 2016

Issues and problems

Outline of Japan – Issues

NSARC 7

45 N

25 N

145 E

125 E

Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan

Outline Ham Population - License Classes, Limits by class

Station License - # of Stations by Region, Prefixes

Japanese Licensing System - Station types

--- “ --- - Process to open a station

--- “ --- - International

Regulatory body and their attitudes

Canadian hams are privileged–Self governance important

Related Organizations & Manufacturers of Ham

Equipments

Issues for Japanese Hams

Parts availability for Hams in Japan

NSARC 8 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Op. Class

In Japan, as used to be in Canada, there are separate Operator’s

License (Life time) and Station Certificate (5 yrs.) systems.

Operator’s License

Amateur Class 1: Max. power 1kW Output, All Band/Mode

Amateur Class 2: Max. power 200W, All Band/Mode

Amateur Class 3: Max. power 50W, ~8MHz & 18MHz~, All Mode

Amateur Class 4: Max. power 10W(HF)/20W(V/UHF), ~8MHZ &

21MHz~, No CW

# of Licensee by Class

2nd to USA in the world

NSARC 9

Class Licensee %

Class 1 30,837 1%

Class 2 77,973 2%

Class 3 226,666 7%

Class 4 3,067,592 90%

Total 3,403,068 100%

Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Stn. by Region

NSARC 10

JA8

JA0

JA9

JA7

JA1

JA2

JA3

JA4

JA5 JA6

JR6

Nov. 17, 2016

Prefix Stations % Other prefeixes for the Region

JA1 123,028 28%

JA2 58,467 13% JE--JS, Incl. JI & JO

JA3 52,395 12% JE--JR, Incl. JI & JO

JA4 27,392 6% JE--JO, JR incl. JI

JA5 19,767 5% JE--JJ, JR incl. JI

JA6 37,299 9% JE--JQ, incl. JI & JO

JR6 2,456 1% JS

JA7 45,378 10% JE--JP, JR, incl. JI & JO

JA8 39,615 9% JE--JM, JR, incl. JI

JA9 11,054 3% JE,JF,JH,JR

JA0 18,165 4% JE--JI, JR

Total 435,016 100% 7J & 8J are special and event stations

JE--JS,incl.JI&JO

7K1,7K2,7K3,7K4,7L1,7L2,7L3,7L4,7M1,

7M2,7M3,7M4,7N1,7N2,7N3,7N4

# of stations: 2nd to USA in the world

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – License system I

Station Types for Amateur stations

Fixed Stations: Output power to Max. of each class

Operations at the fixed location only

Movable Stations: Output power of 100W or allowed Max.

Operations can be moved around, incl. HT

You may need 2 stn. Certificates (Fixed and Movable)

Individual / Private Stations: As it says, single op. stations

Call sign suffix: AAA--XZZ

Club / Group Stations: Clubs or Families, multi-op.

Call sign suffix: YAA—ZZZ

Special Commemorative or Event Stations: Prefix 7J or 8J

Example: 8J1RL Antarctica Japanese base station

8J190Y 90 years Anniversary of JARL (RAC in Japan)

NSARC 11 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – License system II

Process to Open a Ham Station

1. Obtain an operator license

2a. 100W or Less: Apply for TX/TRX certification (Recognized

manufacturers’ rig)

2b. Home brew or 100W+ output: Apply for regulatory agency

inspection – pretty tight and detailed, incl. checking TVI etc.

3. Apply Station Certificate (approx. CAD63.00)

4. Call sign is given for 5 years. On Air!

International Agreement Operations (Canada, US, etc.) Visit a Japanese ham and operate under his supervision.

Obtain a Japanese Station Certificate (Max. Pwr is your permit limits)

Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) can assist applications.

No need to obtain Japanese Operator License

NSARC 12 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Regulatory Body

Regulating Agency in Japan: Telecom Bureau at Ministry of

Internal Affairs and Communications (MIAC)

General Administration of Communications

Licensing and Spectrum Allocations (where you apply)

Monitoring, Supervision and Correctional Measures (you get

caught if illegally operated!)

They want to know and control everything, rather than trust

and their operational efficiency – attitude difference from IC

here.

They have very sophisticated surveillance systems to catch

illegal operations and interferences every week in cooperation

with local police forces.

[eg. 42 days License suspension for operating unlicensed

mode, same for operating against the band plan]

NSARC 13 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Bands

135.7~137.8kHz 475~479kHz

1810~1825 and 1907.5~1912.5kHz (VE: 1800~2000kHz)

3500~3575, 3599~3612 , 3680~3687, 3702~3716, 3745~3770,

3791~3805kHz (VE: 3500~4000kHz) (VE has 5MHz channels)

7000~7200kHz (VE: 7000~7300kHz) 10100~10150kHz

14000~14350kHz 18068~18168kHz

21000~21450kHz 24890~24990kHz

28.0~29.7MHz

50.0~54.0MHz 144.0~146.0MHz, (VE has 225MHz)

430~440MHz (VE:430~450MHz, 900M) 1260~1300MHz (VE:1240~1300)

2.40GHz~2.45GHz (VE:2.30~2.45GHz)

5.65~5.85GHz, 10.45~10.5GHz, 24.0~24.05GHz, up goes to 248GHz

NSARC 14 Nov. 17, 2016

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We Canadian Hams are

privileged

This is Joe’s PERSONAL opinion. It is not NSARC’s opinion and it

does not represent club or members’ opinion in any manner.

In the course of obtaining Canadian ham license, I

came to know How Much Privileged we are in

comparison to some other countries, especially to

Japan, even to USA.

Operator/station licenses unified, 1st station free.

Equipment, power, mode, band: Free upto the class limits

Selective call signs

Band Plan is OUR code of conduct, not enforced

We will have to be very careful in enjoying these

freedom. Abuse might invite authority control. Let’s

behave well before it is too late.

NSARC 15 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Related

Organizations

JARL (Japan Amateur Radio League)

2016 is their 90 years anniversary – special stations, awards

Functionally very similar to RAC here

Propose modifications of Band Plans to Radio Authority

Supports foreign hams to operate in Japan

JARD (J. A. R. Development Association)

Certification of amateur radio equipment for station

application, New Spurious certification for old equipments.

Conduct certified Amateur License courses for Classes 2, 3

and 4

JAIA (J. A. r. Industries Association)

Organization of Ham Equipment manufacturers

Develops and promotes “New” Spurious Std.

NSARC 16 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Equipment

Manufacturers & Suppliers

Japan, with its manufacturing excellence, has become a

major supplier of ham equipment and related goods.

Rig Manufacturers

Big-3: JVC Kenwood (ex Trio), Yaesu (Vtx Std), ICOM

Others: Alinco, Thamway, (Tokyo Hi-Power [out-of-business])

Antenna Manufacturers (some makes SWR meters)

Comet, Diamond, Hidaka, Sagant, Kojinsha (Versa Beam),

Create Design

Yaesu (Ant and Rotators)

Others

GHD Keys

Alinco (Power Supply)

Lots of parts manufacturers like Murata, etc.

NSARC 17 Nov. 17, 2016

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Hams in Japan – Media &

Publications

Magazines

CQ Ham Radio (since 1946) - Monthly [Japanese only]

Supplements are useful, too

QEX Japan - Quarterly [Japanese only]

News Web site

Hamlife.jp - Wide range of ham related news [English selectable]

2 others [Japanese only]

4 Podcast radio programs in Japanese

NSARC 18 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Issues &

Problems

Aging ham population – Similar to other countries?

Japan as a whole – Top Aging country

Lots of “Returning hams” – “Back to” ham at retirement

Books and magazine articles on this

Younger generations – Cell texting is easier; Financially weaker

Crowded Bands – “High density” everywhere

Ham density (Stn/km2) Jpn=1.29, JA1=3.33, Cdn=0.008, BC=0.018

Authority not keen in allocating more spectrum (business b4 hobby)

Loss of interest in ham activities

Illegal high power – More TVIs, Authority interventions

Bad manners

Crowded Living – High density, again! (JA:VE=160:1)

No space for big antennas – same results as bands above

Revival of CW and Increased popularity of Digital modes (JT65)

NSARC 19 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Hams in Japan – Parts and Rig

Availability

Rigs are generally cheaper there, but JA spec. only.

Used rigs are generally much cheaper in Japan.

Yaesu World DX Club did NA spec. alterations, now?

Elecraft K3s 100W complete is sold at CAD4440. High?

MFJ products/other US products: Expensive due to small qtty.

Parts – Variety and Availability

Ease of getting various parts: Like Paradise!

Price? - depends!

Akihabara Electric Town – see, compare and consult there ---

will discuss later

Small country with sophisticated courier system makes web

purchases easier, cheaper and very quicker.

NSARC 20 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - • In Central Tokyo downtown

2 stations away from Tokyo stn.

2 Different faces

Electronics (old face)

Sub-cultures like “maid café”,

figures and idol groups (new faces)

“Akihabara” Electric Town I

NSARC 21 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

“Akihabara” Electric Town II

Let’s focus on Electronics side, for now, forgetting about

figures, idol groups and “maid café”

The area before the WWII was fish and grocery wholesale market.

Right after the war, used/junk or surplus US military rigs and parts

were sold on sidewalk.

Back in 60s and 70s, the area was occupied with junk/used/new

parts/equipment dealers and electric appliances shops.

80s and 90s, most junk/used parts disappeared and PCs became

the main stream.

From the turn of the century, new segments has come in and grew

rapidly.

One of new streams on our side is sophisticated test

facilities combined with small offices/open offices in the

UDX building. The facility is geared for students and

venture companies for future “Manufacturing Japan.”

NSARC 22 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

“Akihabara” Electric Town III

Apart from prices, the best element of A.E.T. is WIDE

VARIETY of different parts, if you hit the right spot.

Get a detailed map and consult with knowledgeable body.

Be ready to walk a lot. At times targets may be wide apart.

Don’t hesitate to ask store guys for guidance to get what you need.

Some store owners, even if it is only 6 ft wide store, are

extremely knowledgeable.

Some even point out and correct your design.

Only a few speaks English well, but they even talk to North Korean

agents!!

Get a Japanese

help.

Saito Denki (f.cores)

Akizuki Denshi (parts)

NSARC 23 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

“Akihabara” Electric Town IV

NSARC 24 Nov. 17, 2016

: Ham equipment and related parts, Antennas

: Various parts and tools

Area : PCs and related goods

stores

: Yodobashi Camera - PCs, PC

parts, Cameras & Appliances

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

If You Travel to Japan

Additional Basics

Time: JST (UTC+9 hrs.), No DST

20:00 PST = 13:00 JST Tomorrow

Telephone Country Code: +81

10 digit numbers [03-1111-2222, 045-333-4444, etc.)

11 digit numbers for cell [080-5555-6666, 090-7777-8888, etc.)

Emergency numbers

Police: 110 Fire/Ambulance: 119

Print on a piece of paper or Speak SLOWLY. QRS! QRS!

Trains are punctual, (in cities) frequent and convenient.

For long distance travels, get a JR Pass

In cities, get a train pass card (pre-paid and recharge)

In Tokyo, train/subway network is very complicated. Get a train

map. [13 subway lines, 10+ JR lines and 20+ private rail lines !!]

Avoid morning rush hour.

NSARC 25 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

If You Travel to Japan

Hotels – It is more difficult to book, due to rapidly

increased travelers from Asia since last year.

Book on the web without payment, start well in advance

Try the same hotel web many times till a week prior.

Stay at expensive hotels, maybe quiet, but many of them are not

very close to stations. Avoid group-tour oriented ones.

“Business Hotels” are convenient and inexpensive, but may be

noisy and crowded.

Check room size (1m2=10.8 sq.ft.) Some hotels/Booking sites

show room size, others don’t. (You could hit 9m2 room!)

In cheap hotels, Speak SLOWLY. QRS! QRS!

Climate / Seasons – VERY HOT and humid in Summer

Mar.-Apr., Oct.-Nov. are comfortable periods. Crowded period, too.

June to 2nd week of July is rainy season, Hot and humid.

1st week of Jan./1st week of May/Mid Aug./Early Nov. : Crowded

NSARC 26 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

NSARC 27 22 Sept 2016

Amateur Radio in Japan

Do you have any questions?

Thank you very much for your attention

Stay for Tire Talk! Joe Y. Higuchi VE7JYH

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Addendum – Tires I

Tire trivia

What are the major difference between an ALL-

SEASON tire and a WINTER tire??

Answers: Tread rubber, Tread pattern

Knowledges:

Do NOT wear Winter tires in summer.

Do wear Winter tires in winter, even for a city driver.

Get a set of inexpensive wheels for Winter tires. It is cheaper

than mounting/demounting/balancing twice a year.

NSARC 28 Nov. 17, 2016

• • • - • - - • • • - • • • • • - •

Addendum – Tires II

Tire Trivia

On a heavy rain day, do you INFLATE or DEFLATE your

tires on your car?

Answer: Inflate you tires 10% over placard pressure

especially on rainy days.

Knowledge:

Check tire pressure once a month, 1st thing in the morning.

Inflate your tires 10% over placard: safety margin, wet roads

NSARC 29 Nov. 17, 2016