Radio Astronomy at WARC MOB-87

Abstract

The World Administrative Radio Conference for the Mobile Services (WARC Mob-87), held in Geneva in September-October, 1987, took several actions that will have an impact on radio astronomy. Worldwide frequency allocations were made for the Radiodetermination Satellite Service (RDSS) in the 1610 to 1626.5 MHz band. The secondary allocation to radio astronomy in this band has received strong protection, however. The 1660 to 1660.5 MHz band, which radio astronomy shared on a primary basis with the Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service has been reallocated to the Land Mobile Satellite Service, shared with radio astronomy on a similar basis. The impact that this reallocation will have on radio astronomy is not clear. Since the Radioastronomy Service is primary in the band, Mobile Satellite Systems that evolve will have to provide adequate protection. Perhaps most significantly, WARC Mob-87 recommended that a conference be convened to reallocate all bands in the 1 to 3 GHz range, no later than in 1992. Several other conferences dealing with particular services have been proposed. At first glance, some of these some of these proposals may not appear to have an impact on radio astronomy. They will, however, increase the pressure on the entire radio spectrum. Finally, it is highly likely that a General WARC will be proposed to be held before the end of the 1990s. The radio astronomy community will have to prepare for these conferences.