Hello Brennan; The article on the webpage about the Biomass/SARmission is very clear on the details. Thank you for presenting this story from the correct perspective. 73, Kermit W9XA From: "Price, Brennan, N4QX" <bprice@arrl.org> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org> Sent: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 12:30 PM Subject: [arrl-odv:25319] BBC article on new synthetic aperture radar at 70 cm The following BBC web article about an SAR contract awarded to Airbus Space has been called to my attention several times in the last few hours: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36195562 Before we panic, please rest assured that SAR operation in the 420-470 MHz range has been a thing ever since WRC-03, and hasn't been found to be a significant problem. SAR operation is subject to the significant constraints described in the attached ITU Recommendation, which is incorporated by reference into the ITU Radio Regulations. When WRC-03 happened, I was a part-time employee (Repeater Directory editor) and was not involved. My understanding from analogous WRC-15 work at 10 GHz is that the constraints of Recommendation RS.1260-1 were deemed as adequate protection by those who were at WRC-03 and have proved themselves in subsequent practice. The interference potential from one orbiting SAR to one fixed amateur station is on the order of less than one minute over an orbital period of more than ten days. Practically, nearby electrical lines and Part 15 devices are more likely bothersome. Popular press articles, such as the linked BBC piece, are almost always notoriously short on these details. My peers with Airbus will be at the Working Party 5B meeting that runs from May 10-20 in Geneva, as will I. I'll buttonhole them to congratulate them on their hard-won contract and diplomatically remind them of the requirements of Recommendation RS.1260-1. I do not suggest that further advocacy action is warranted at this time, and I would be surprised and disappointed if it were warranted in the future. 73, Brennan T. Price, N4QX Chief Technology Officer American Radio Relay League PO Box 3470 Oakton VA 22124-9470 Tel +1 860 594-0247 _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv