Response of the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope to Terrestrial Interference

D. Campbell-Wilson; G. Davidson; M. I. Large

doi:10.1071/as97265

Response of the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope to Terrestrial Interference

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia ◽

10.1071/as97265 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 265-273 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D. Campbell-Wilson ◽

G. Davidson ◽

M. I. Large

Keyword(s):

Radio Astronomy ◽

Experimental Tests ◽

Spectrum Management ◽

Management Agency ◽

International Telecommunications ◽

Commercial Use ◽

Extensive Survey

AbstractIn conjunction with the Australian Government's Spectrum Management Agency, experimental tests have been carried out to determine the susceptibility of the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST) to interference from terrestrial transmitters. The motivation for the tests was to reconcile the conflicting requirements of the MOST, which is committed to an extensive survey of the southern sky at 843 MHz, with the commercial use of the 825–845 MHz band, which is being prepared for sale. The tests show that the far sidelobe gain of the MOST, relative to an isotropic antenna is generally less than 1, and that an appropriate interference criterion would be that in-band interference irradiance should not exceed −173 dBWm−2. This value is similar to that considered by the International Telecommunications Union to be detrimental to radio astronomy continuum observations at nearby frequencies.

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Radio quiet, please! – protecting radio astronomy from interference

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921311002675 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 5 (S260) ◽

pp. 457-464 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

W. van Driel

Keyword(s):

Radio Astronomy ◽

Radio Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Management ◽

International Telecommunication Union ◽

Frequency Bands ◽

International Telecommunication ◽

Regulatory Limits ◽

Regulatory Bodies ◽

Precious Resource ◽

Regulatory Measures

AbstractThe radio spectrum is a finite and increasingly precious resource for astronomical research, as well as for other spectrum users. Keeping the frequency bands used for radio astronomy as free as possible of unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is crucial. The aim of spectrum management, one of the tools used towards achieving this goal, includes setting regulatory limits on RFI levels emitted by other spectrum users into the radio astronomy frequency bands. This involves discussions with regulatory bodies and other spectrum users at several levels – national, regional and worldwide. The global framework for spectrum management is set by the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union, which has defined that interference is detrimental to radio astronomy if it increases the uncertainty of a measurement by 10%. The Radio Regulations are revised every three to four years, a process in which four organisations representing the interests of the radio astronomical community in matters of spectrum management (IUCAF, CORF, CRAF and RAFCAP) participate actively. The current interests and activities of these four organisations range from preserving what has been achieved through regulatory measures, to looking far into the future of high frequency use and giant radio telescope use.

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Report on the summer school in spectrum management for radio astronomy

IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine ◽

10.1109/map.2005.1589925 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 177-178

Keyword(s):

Radio Astronomy ◽

Summer School ◽

Spectrum Management

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Radio Astronomy and Spectrum Management: The Impact of WARC-79

IRE Transactions on Communications Systems ◽

10.1109/tcom.1981.1095109 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 1228-1237 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

V. Pankonin ◽

R. Price

Keyword(s):

Radio Astronomy ◽

Spectrum Management ◽

The Impact

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Does the Radio Spectrum have Room for Radio Astronomy?

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia ◽

10.1017/s1323358000026217 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. 396-400 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

B. J. Robinson ◽

J. B. Whiteoak

Keyword(s):

Radio Astronomy ◽

Radio Spectrum ◽

Spectral Lines ◽

Atoms And Molecules ◽

International Telecommunications ◽

The Future ◽

Technical Sense

In a technical sense radio astronomers do not use the radio spectrum; they are listeners only, and when the science began they had to listen in the quiet spaces between transmitting services. Radio astronomy was first recognized as a service by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 1959, and the first frequency allocations were then made for it as a ‘passive’ service. In 1963 and 1971 further allocations and frequency protection were obtained at specialized World Administrative Radio Conferences (WARC). The allocations were required for two purposes: (i) to protect the frequencies of the most important spectral lines of atoms and molecules, and (ii) to provide a series of bands for continuum observations. The general protection so far provided has been vital to the growth of the science, and its continuation is of the highest priority to the future life and development of radio astronomy.

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Radio Astronomy and the International Telecommunications Regulations

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900164125 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 196 ◽

pp. 209-219

Author(s):

Brian Robinson

Keyword(s):

United Nations ◽

Radio Astronomy ◽

League Of Nations ◽

Hard Work ◽

International Telecommunication Union ◽

Frequency Bands ◽

International Telecommunication ◽

International Telecommunications ◽

Year 2000

For forty years radio astronomers have had access to frequency bands allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - initially a League of Nations body (from 1919) and then a United Nations body (since 1945). Hard work and skilful negotiation by a handful of radio astronomers since 1959 have ensured viable access to scarce spectral allocations. There have been many battles won, some key battles lost. The next treaty conference of the ITU is in the year 2000.

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I.U.C.A.F and Frequencies for Radio Astronomy

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100003997 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 112 ◽

pp. 194-197

Author(s):

John W. Findlay

Keyword(s):

Radio Astronomy ◽

Radio Spectrum ◽

Radio Observations ◽

International Telecommunications ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Work Done ◽

Made In

Many papers in the Colloquium describe the difficulties which now exist when radio astronomers try to make highly sensitive observations in various regions of the spectrum. The author has been involved for about 30 years in attempts to get parts of the radio spectrum “protected” so that radio observations could be made in these regions free from damaging interference. Thus it may be interesting in this paper to look backward to the work done by many people before and during the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) of 1959, and to describe briefly the outcome of that WARC.

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