Coordination with Other Spectrum Users
The observatory has set up procedures for sharing a common band or
co-existing in near-by bands with other Government and Commercial
spectrum users on a non-interference basis. These are listed below
(in order of decreasing frequency) :
Other special cooperation's include:
- (1) MOU with Lajas TARS: A memorandum of understanding is in
effect with Puerto Rico Air National Guard's TARS system at Lajas. This ensures
that the main beam of their balloon-borne radars at 1241-1261 MHz are blanked
towards the direction of the Observatory. The Tethered Aerostat Radar System
carries the AN/DPS-5 S-band CFAR/MTI and AN/TPS-63 search radars (L-88). The
Lockheed Martin L-88s electronic characteristics are similar to the AN/FPS-117
RADAR used at Punta Salinas.
- (2) Channel 54: The WCCTV ch 54 has one of their transmitter tower located
just 8 miles south of the Observatory, on a hill-top over looking the
305-m telescope. Since the second harmonics of ch54 falls within the
Radio Astronomy Band at L-band, the observatory is concerned about its
potential as a sources of RFI. However, over the years, the observatory
has had successful contact, and cooperation with the WCCTV authorities.
In post upgrade period, Ch 54 will not transmit between midnight and 6
am, in addition to the screening and harmonics filters that are
installed at their antenna site.
SMARG-Home
W. Genter
03/10/2005 12:40:16