SB QST @ ARL $ARLB006   
   ARLB006 FCC Seeks Comment on Radar Sharing Schemes that Could   
   Displace Amateur Radio at 76-81 GHz   
      
   ZCZC AG06   
   QST de W1AW     
   ARRL Bulletin 6  ARLB006   
   >From ARRL Headquarters     
   Newington CT  February 10, 2015   
   To all radio amateurs    
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB006   
   ARLB006 FCC Seeks Comment on Radar Sharing Schemes that Could   
   Displace Amateur Radio at 76-81 GHz   
       
   The FCC is seeking comment on issues involving expanded use of   
   various radar applications in the 76-81 GHz band, which Amateur   
   Radio shares with other services. The band 77.5-78 GHz is allocated   
   to the Amateur and Amateur Satellite services on a primary basis,   
   and to the Radio Astronomy and Space Research services on a   
   secondary basis.   
      
   "We undertake this proceeding to expand the available spectrum for   
   radar operations in the 76-81 GHz band," the FCC said in a detailed   
   Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Reconsideration Order (NPRM&RO),   
   released February 5 in ET Docket 15-26. The Commission said the   
   proposals include allocation changes as well as provisions "to   
   ensure that new and incumbent operations can share the available   
   frequencies in the band."  The NPRM&RO can be found in PDF format on   
   the web at,   
   http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0   
   05/FCC-15-16A1 .pdf   
   .   
      
   The FCC NPRM&RO is in response to a Petition for Rulemaking   
   (RM-11666) filed in 2012 by Robert Bosch LLC and to two petitions   
   for reconsideration of the Commission's 2012 Report and Order (R&O)   
   addressing vehicular radar systems in the 76-77 GHz band. ET 15-26   
   incorporates earlier proceedings.   
      
   Among many issues, the FCC seeks comment on the possibility of   
   reallocating the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite services from   
   76-81 GHz, and it asks for suggestions on "alternative spectrum that   
   we might make available in this general region."   
      
   Bosch's 2012 Petition sought to modify the FCC's Part 15 rules to   
   expand the operation of unlicensed vehicular radar systems from   
   76-77 GHz to the 76-81 GHz band to develop short-range radar (SRR)   
   applications. The Bosch petition received "general support from the   
   automotive industry," the Commission said.   
      
   In its petition, Bosch said that it anticipated no interference   
   issues between Amateur Radio operations and vehicular radar   
   operations at 77-81 GHz. "It notes that it is unconvinced after   
   several meetings with the technical staff of ARRL that there is any   
   'significant incompatibility,'" the FCC NPRM&RO recounted, "and   
   describes how amateur operations in the band 'tend to be largely   
   experimental, occurring in geographic areas such as mountaintops and   
   other rural areas where motor vehicle operation is not typical.'"   
      
   The FCC noted, however, that it "has previously recognized evidence   
   of potential interference conflicts" between Amateur Radio and   
   vehicular radar systems in the 76-77 GHz band, and believes the   
   potential for "similar compatibility issues" could exist above 77   
   GHz. More than 10 years ago the FCC suspended Amateur Radio and   
   Amateur Satellite operation in the 76-77 GHz segment and recently   
   extended the suspension.   
      
   "Our goal is to adopt rules that address amateur use, including   
   Amateur Satellite use, within the 76-81 GHz band in a comprehensive   
   and consistent manner," the FCC asserted.   
      
   The FCC said that to the extent commenters believe Amateur Radio can   
   continue to use the 4 millimeter band, it seeks comments on "what   
   additional rule modifications we would have to adopt to realize   
   successful shared use of the entire band." One possibility the FCC   
   raised was altering current amateur power limits in that portion of   
   the spectrum. The Commission said it also wants to "develop a record   
   on the types of amateur use, and the extent of such use, that is   
   currently undertaken" at 4 millimeters.   
      
   The ARRL plans to comment in the FCC proceeding.   
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
      
      
   )\/(ark   
      
   If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until   
   you hire an amateur.   
      
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