Over the weekend Dave Sumner sent around some information about ET Docket 15-26 dealing with the band 76-81 GHz, in which we have a primary and secondary allocation. The Executive Committee has had this issue on its radar for two years now and I have had information about it in my Board Reports for the same period.
However, the NPRM released last Thursday was a far cry from what was proposed by the automotive industry and what had been worked out amicably and compatibly between and among ARRL and the automotive radar proponents and the radioastronomy people at the National Science Foundation. We (ARRL) will be filing comments on the proposal, and Brennan Price and I are collaborating on that response. This proceeding has international ramifications with respect to WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.18 as well as significant domestic ramifications for the Amateur Radio Service.
However, in my view it is best not to take any cue from the Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth blog page on the subject. I will prepare for your review, today or tomorrow at the latest, a memo from an insider's perspective on this proceeding and Brennan will have some additional information for you as well.
A copy of the NPRM is attached for your review. The relevant paragraphs are 62-66 on pages 19 and 20.
I should note again, as I have many times in the past, that I have for the past several years been communications counsel for Robert Bosch, LLC and I prepared and filed the petition, RM-11666 that formed a part of this NPRM. However, the Bosch petition was radically different from this NPRM and made no proposal for any adverse change in the Amateur Radio allocation, or priority, at 76-81 GHz.
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Christopher D. Imlay
Booth, Freret & Imlay, LLC
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011