SB QST @ ARL $ARLB015   
   ARLB015 ARRL to FCC: Amateurs and Vehicular Radars Can Play Nicely   
   Together on 77-81 GHz   
      
   ZCZC AG15   
   QST de W1AW   
   ARRL Bulletin 15  ARLB015   
   > From ARRL Headquarters   
   Newington CT  April 7, 2015   
   To all radio amateurs   
      
   SB QST ARL ARLB015   
   ARLB015 ARRL to FCC: Amateurs and Vehicular Radars Can Play Nicely   
   Together on 77-81 GHz   
      
   In comments filed on April 6 in response to a February FCC Notice of   
   Proposed Rulemaking and Reconsideration Order (NPRM&RO) in ET Docket   
   15-26, the ARRL has told the Commission that it should make no   
   change in the Amateur Radio allocation at 76-81 GHz and impose no   
   additional regulatory constraints on Amateur or Amateur-Satellite   
   uses of the band. The League said the FCC should proceed with   
   authorizing short-range radar (SRR) systems for automotive   
   applications in the band under Part 15 rules, and that such   
   applications are compatible with amateur operations in the band.   
   The NPRM&RO can be found on the web in PDF format at,   
   https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-15-16A1.pdf   
   .   
      
   In its NPRM&RO, the FCC solicited 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. The NPRM&RO was in response to a 2012   
   Petition for Rulemaking (RM-11666) by Robert Bosch LLC and to two   
   petitions for reconsideration of a 2012 Report and Order (R&O)   
   addressing vehicular radar systems in the 76-77 GHz band. ET 15-26   
   incorporated earlier proceedings.  The R&O can be found on the web   
   at, http://www.fcc.gov/document/toyotaera-76-77-ghz-band .   
      
   In its comments, the ARRL suggested that the FCC overreached in   
   proposing unjustifiable changes at 77-81 GHz on its own initiative.   
      
   "There is not, anywhere in the four corners of the Bosch Petition   
   for Rule Making or in any comments that have been filed thus far in   
   response to RM-11666, any suggestion that there is any   
   incompatibility between Amateur Radio operation and automotive   
   radars," the ARRL said. "Quite the contrary." The League said a   
   credible, current ITU study has "definitively established"   
   compatibility between short-range automotive radars and Amateur   
   Radio.   
      
   The ARRL said Bosch's filing of its Petition followed "extensive   
   discussions and technical evaluations between ARRL and Bosch" that   
   making spectrum at 77-81 GHz available for automotive radars "would   
   have no significant impact on the Amateur Radio Service." Bosch, the   
   League pointed out, "did not propose a domestic spectrum allocation   
   for vehicular radar devices and systems," just modification of the   
   FCC Part 15 rules to permit vehicular radars at 78-81 GHz on the   
   same basis that these radars now operate in the US at 76-77 GHz - on   
   a non-allocated, non-interference basis.   
      
   The ARRL said that no changes are necessary in the Amateur Radio   
   domestic primary allocation at 77.5-78 GHz or in the secondary   
   amateur allocation at 77-77.5 GHz or 78-81 GHz to accommodate   
   automotive radar systems at 77-81 GHz. "Nor are any additional Part   
   97 rules necessary to accommodate compatible sharing of that band   
   between radio amateurs and automotive radar systems," the League   
   added. "Indeed, that is the position of the United States in   
   anticipation of consideration of WRC-15 agenda item 1.18 later this   
   year."   
      
   The League characterized as "both premature and poor spectrum   
   management" the FCC's proposal to unilaterally permit unspecified   
   fixed radar systems throughout the 76-81 GHz band "without the   
   benefit of any completed, definitive studies relative to the   
   compatibility of fixed radar systems with automotive radar,   
   radioastronomy and/or Amateur Radio in this band."   
      
   Any consideration of fixed radars at 77-81 GHz, the League said,   
   "should await the completion of conclusive, refereed compatibility   
   studies that credibly establish compatibility with incumbent   
   services."   
      
   The ARRL said should there be any "unjustified displacement" of the   
   Amateur or Amateur-Satellite services from any portion of the 76-81   
   GHz band, the FCC should allocate "equivalent spectrum" for those   
   services. As possibilities, the League suggested the bands 75.5-76   
   GHz and 81-81.5 GHz.   
      
   The deadline for reply comments - ie, comments on filed comments -   
   in this proceeding is April 20. The ARRL plans to file reply   
   comments.   
   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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