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Allocations

Intro to Allocations

U.S. Non-Federal-Government Allocations

1675 - 1695 MHz
METEOROLOGICAL AIDS (radiosonde)
METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth) US88

5.341 US211 US289

U.S. Federal Government Allocations

1675 - 1695 MHz
METEOROLOGICAL AIDS (radiosonde)
METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth) US88

5.341 US211 US289

ITU Region 1 Allocations

1690 - 1700 MHz
METEOROLOGICAL AIDS
METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)
Fixed
Mobile except aeronautical mobile

5.289 5.341 5.382

ITU Region 2 Allocations

1690 - 1700 MHz
METEOROLOGICAL AIDS
METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)

5.289 5.341 5.381

ITU Region 3 Allocations

1690 - 1700 MHz
METEOROLOGICAL AIDS
METEOROLOGICAL-SATELLITE (space-to-Earth)

5.289 5.341 5.381

SpectrumWiki

GOES, POES, & MetOp Weather Satellites

Radiosondes

WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links

Footnotes

5.289 Earth exploration-satellite service applications, other than the meteorological-satellite service, may also be used in the bands 460-470 MHz and 1 690-1 710 MHz for space-to-Earth transmissions subject to not causing harmful interference to stations operating in accordance with the Table.

5.341 In the bands 1 400-1 727 MHz, 101-120 GHz and 197-220 GHz, passive research is being conducted by some countries in a programme for the search for intentional emissions of extraterrestrial origin.

5.381 Additional allocation: in Afghanistan, Cuba, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of) and Pakistan, the band 1 690-1 700 MHz is also allocated to the fixed and mobile, except aeronautical mobile, services on a primary basis. (WRC 12)

5.382 Different category of service: in Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Congo (Rep. of the), Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Russian Federation, Guinea, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Oman, Uzbekistan, Poland, Qatar, the Syrian Arab Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Yemen, the allocation of the frequency band 1 690-1 700 MHz to the fixed and mobile, except aeronautical mobile, services is on a primary basis (see No. 5.33), and in the Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea, the allocation of the frequency band 1 690 1 700 MHz to the fixed service is on a primary basis (see No. 5.33) and to the mobile, except aeronautical mobile, service on a secondary basis. (WRC 19)

US88 In the bands 1675-1695 MHz and 1695-1710 MHz, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) Non-Federal use of the band 1695-1710 MHz by the fixed and mobile except aeronautical mobile services is restricted to stations in the Advanced Wireless Service (AWS). Base stations that enable AWS mobile and portable stations to operate in the band 1695-1710 MHz must be successfully coordinated prior to operation as follows: (i) all base stations within the 27 protection zones listed in paragraph (b) that enable mobiles to operate at a maximum e.i.r.p. of 20 dBm, and (ii) nationwide for base stations that enable mobiles to operate with a maximum e.i.r.p. greater than 20 dBm, up to a maximum e.i.r.p. of 30 dBm, unless otherwise specified by Commission rule, order, or notice.

(b) Forty-seven Federal earth stations located within the protection zones listed below operate on a co-equal, primary basis with AWS operations. All other Federal earth stations operate on a secondary basis.

(1) Protection zones for Federal earth stations receiving in the band 1695-1710 MHz:

State	Location	Latitude	Longitude	Radius (km)
AK	Barrow	71° 19' 22''	156° 36' 41''	35
AK	Elmendorf AFB	61° 14' 08''	149° 55' 31''	98
AK	Fairbanks	64° 58' 22''	147° 30' 02''	20
AZ	Yuma	32° 39' 24''	114° 36' 22''	95
CA	Monterey	36° 35' 34''	121° 51' 20''	76
CA	Twenty-Nine Palms	34° 17' 46''	116° 09' 44''	80
FL	Miami	25° 44' 05''	080° 09' 45''	51
HI	Hickam AFB	21° 19' 18''	157° 57' 30''	28
MD	Suitland	38° 51' 07''	076° 56' 12''	98
MS	Stennis Space Center	30° 21' 23''	089° 36' 41''	57
SD	Sioux Falls	43° 44' 09''	096° 37' 33''	42
VA	Wallops Island	37° 56' 45''	075° 27' 45''	30
GU	Andersen AFB	13° 34' 52''	144° 55' 28''	42

(2) Protection zones for Federal earth stations receiving in the band 1675-1695 MHz:

State	Location	Latitude	Longitude	Radius (km)
CA	Sacramento	38° 35' 50''	121° 32' 34''	55
CO	Boulder	39° 59' 26''	105° 15' 51''	02
ID	Boise	43° 35' 42''	116° 13' 49''	39
IL	Rock Island	41° 31' 04''	090° 33' 46''	19
MO	Kansas City	39° 16' 40''	094° 39' 44''	40
MO	St. Louis	38° 35' 26''	090° 12' 25''	34
MS	Columbus Lake	33° 32' 04''	088° 30' 06''	03
MS	Vicksburg	32° 20' 47''	090° 50' 10''	16
NE	Omaha	41° 20' 56''	095° 57' 34''	30
OH	Cincinnati	39° 06' 10''	084° 30' 35''	32
OK	Norman	35° 10' 52''	097° 26' 21''	03
TN	Knoxville	35° 57' 58''	083° 55' 13''	50
WV	Fairmont	39° 26' 02''	080° 11' 33''	04
PR	Guaynabo	18° 25' 26''	066° 06' 50''	48

Note: The coordinates are specified in the conventional manner (North latitude, West longitude), except that the Guam (GU) entry is specified in terms of East longitude.

US211 In the bands 1670-1690, 5000-5250 MHz and 10.7-11.7, 15.1365-15.35, 15.4-15.7, 22.5-22.55, 24-24.05, 31.0-31.3, 31.8-32.0, 40.5-42.5, 116-122.25, 123-130, 158.5-164, 167-168, 191.8-200, and 252-265 GHz, applicants for airborne or space station assignments are urged to take all practicable steps to protect radio astronomy observations in the adjacent bands from harmful interference; however, US74 applies.

US289 In the bands 460-470 MHz and 1690-1695 MHz, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) In the band 460-470 MHz, space stations in the Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS) may be authorized for space-to-Earth transmissions on a secondary basis with respect to the fixed and mobile services. When operating in the meteorological-satellite service, such stations shall be protected from harmful interference from other EESS applications. The power flux density produced at the Earth’s surface by any space station in this band shall not exceed −152 dBW/m²/4 kHz.

(b) In the band 1690-1695 MHz, EESS applications, other than the meteorological-satellite service, may also be used for space-to-Earth transmissions subject to not causing harmful interference to stations operating in accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations.

SpectrumWiki

GOES, POES, & MetOp Weather Satellites

The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates various weather satellites. Some of the satellites are geostationary (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, or GOES), and others are in polar low Earth orbits (Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites, or POES).

The first of the next-generation polar-orbiting satellites, known as Suomi NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership), was launched on October 28th, 2011. An additional next-gen satellite launch is scheduled for 2017.

As a result of the 2012 Middle Class Tax Relief and Jobs Creation Act, POES, GOES, and MetOp satellites use some spectrum that is shared by, or adjacent to, the 1695-1710 MHz portion of the AWS-3 spectrum. This segment is used for uplinks from mobile devices to base stations. To mitigate interference to NOAA operations, the government has issued an RFP for an RF Interference Management System (RFIMS), which will be installed at the 17 official NOAA ground stations, listen for interference, and alert mobile network operators in real time that mitigation measures are needed. The RFIMS concept was first proposed by the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC).

Details of the signals transmitted by the satellites are provided in the linked presentation.

According to NOAA:

NOAA’s most sophisticated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), known as the GOES-R Series, provide advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s Western Hemisphere, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather.

GOES satellites orbit 22,236 miles above Earth’s equator, at speeds equal to the Earth's rotation. This allows them to maintain their positions over specific geographic regions so they can provide continuous coverage of that area over time.

The first satellite in the series, GOES-R, now known as GOES-16, was launched in 2016 and is currently operational as NOAA’s GOES East satellite. GOES-S, now known as GOES-17, was launched in 2018 and now serves as an on-orbit backup. GOES-T, now GOES-18, launched in 2022 and now serves as NOAA’s operational GOES West satellite. GOES satellites are designated with a letter prior to launch. Once a GOES satellite has successfully reached geostationary orbit, it is renamed with a number. GOES-U, the final satellite in the series, is scheduled to launch in 2024.

Together, GOES East and GOES West watch over more than half the globe — from the west coast of Africa to New Zealand and from near the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle.

The GOES-R Program is a collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA. NASA builds and launches the satellites for NOAA, which operates them and distributes their data to users worldwide.

The Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) satellite system makes 14 nearly polar orbits per day approximately 520 miles above Earth. The Earth's rotation allows the satellite to see a different view with each orbit, and each satellite provides two complete views of weather around the world each day. NOAA partners with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) to operate two polar-orbiting satellites – one POES and one European polar-orbiting satellite called MetOp.

The POES instruments include the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer, the Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (ATOVS), and the Microwave Humidity Sounder provided by EUMETSAT. These instruments provide visible, infrared, and microwave data which is used for a variety of applications such as to monitor cloud and precipitation, determine surface properties, and profile humidity.

Data from the POES supports a broad range of environmental monitoring applications including weather analysis and forecasting, climate research and prediction, global sea surface temperature measurements, atmospheric soundings of temperature and humidity, ocean dynamics research, volcanic eruption monitoring, forest fire detection, global vegetation analysis, and search and rescue.

Frequencies
Frequency	Bandwidth	Use	Service	Table
137.1 MHz	34 kHz	POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
137.5 MHz	34 kHz	POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
137.62 MHz	34 kHz	POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
137.9125 MHz	34 kHz	POES Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1676 MHz	5.2 MHz	Legacy GOES SDL downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1680 MHz	475 kHz	GOES-R DCPR downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1681.5 MHz	400 kHz	Legacy GOES MDL downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1685.7 MHz	4.22 MHz	Legacy GOES GVAR downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1686.6 MHz	10.9 MHz	GOES-R GRB downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1691 MHz	586 kHz	Legacy GOES LRIT downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1692.7 MHz	27 kHz	Legacy GOES EMWIN-N downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1693 MHz	80 kHz	GOES-R CDA telemetry downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1694 MHz	16 kHz	Legacy GOES CDA Telemetry downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1694.1 MHz	1.205 MHz	GOES-R HRIT downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1694.5 MHz	475 kHz	Legacy GOES DCPR downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1694.8 MHz	475 kHz	Legacy GOES DCPR downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1698 MHz	5.32 MHz	POES Local Area Coverage (LAC) and Global Area Coverage (GAC) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1698 MHz	2.66 MHz	POES High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1701.3 MHz	4.5 MHz	MetOp Advanced High Resolution Picture Transmissions (AHRPT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1702.5 MHz	5.32 MHz	POES Local Area Coverage (LAC) and Global Area Coverage (GAC) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1702.5 MHz	2.66 MHz	POES High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1707 MHz	5.32 MHz	POES Local Area Coverage (LAC) and Global Area Coverage (GAC) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1707 MHz	4.5 MHz	MetOp Advanced High Resolution Picture Transmissions (AHRPT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1707 MHz	12 MHz	Suomi NPP Low Data Rate (LDR) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
1707 MHz	2.66 MHz	POES High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F
7812 MHz	30 MHz	Suomi NPP High Data Rate (HDR) downlink	Meteorological-satellite	F

External Links:

NOAA User's Guide for Building and Operating Environmental Satellite Receiving Stations

Associated Files:

	DySpan_presentation_v2 Radio Frequency Interference Monitoring System for Weather Satellite Ground Stations: Challenges and Opportunities, presentation by NOAA at the DySPAN 2017 conf...

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Radiosondes

According to the U.S. National Weather Service:

In order to understand the dynamic processes that result in the weather we experience, we need to know what is happening through the entire atmosphere. These observations are primarily taken with the aid of radiosondes.

The radiosonde is a small instrument package that is suspended below balloon filled with either hydrogen or helium. As the radiosonde is carried aloft, it measures pressure, temperature, and relative humidity.

These sensors are linked to a battery-powered radio transmitter that sends the information to a ground receiver. By tracking the position of the radiosonde in flight via GPS (Global Positioning System), measurements of wind speed and direction aloft is also obtained.

Worldwide, most radiosonde observations are taken daily at 00Z and 12Z (6 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST). With worldwide coordination of these upper air observations, we can obtain a picture of the various pressure and wind patterns across the globe.

Radiosonde observations technically provide only pressure, temperature, and relative humidity data; the tracked position of a radiosonde is actually called a rawinsonde observation and is used to obtain wind speed and direction. However, meteorologists and other data users frequently refer to them as part of the radiosonde observation.

The radiosonde flight can last in excess of two hours, and during this time the radiosonde can ascend to over 115,000 feet (35,000 m) and drift more than 125 miles (200 km) from the release point. During the flight, the radiosonde is exposed to temperatures as cold as -130°F (-92°C) and air pressures of only a few hundredths of what is found on the Earth's surface.

When the balloon has expanded beyond its elastic limit (20-25 feet in diameter) and bursts, the radiosonde returns to Earth via a small parachute. This slows its descent, minimizing the danger to life and property.

If found, radiosondes are safe to handle, as long as the balloon is deflated. Cut the string to the balloon/parachute and place them in a trash receptacle. You may also dispose of the radiosonde itself or keep it.

Worldwide, there are about 1,300 upper-air stations. Observations are made by the NWS at 92 stations: 69 in the conterminous United States, 13 in Alaska, nine in the Pacific, and one in Puerto Rico.

NWS supports the operation of 10 other stations in the Caribbean. Through international agreements, data are exchanged between countries worldwide.

Frequency Bands
Band	Use	Service	Table
400.15 - 406 MHz	Radiosondes	Meteorological Aids	F
1675 - 1685 MHz	Radiosondes	Meteorological Aids	F

External Links:

Radiosondes (U.S. National Weather Service)

Associated Files:

A Lockheed Martin Mark IIA Microsonde (radiosonde).

Preparing to launch a radiosonde (Reno, NV area).

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WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links

WRC-27 agenda item 1.11:

to consider the technical and operational issues, and regulatory provisions, for space-to-space links among non-geostationary and geostationary satellites in the frequency bands 1 518-1 544 MHz,
1 545-1 559 MHz, 1 610-1 645.5 MHz, 1 646.5-1 660 MHz, 1 670-1 675 MHz and 2 483.5-2 500 MHz allocated to the mobile-satellite service, in accordance with Resolution 249 (Rev.WRC-23)

Frequency Bands
Band	Use	Service	Table
1518 - 1544 MHz	WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links	Mobile-satellite	-
1545 - 1559 MHz	WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links	Mobile-satellite	-
1610 - 1645.5 MHz	WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links	Mobile-satellite	-
1646.5 - 1660 MHz	WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links	Mobile-satellite	-
1670 - 1675 MHz	WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links	Mobile-satellite	-
2483.5 - 2500 MHz	WRC-27 consideration of MSS space-to-space links	Mobile-satellite	-

External Links:

WRC-27 agenda (see Annex 1)

Resolution 249 (WRC-23)

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Related Documents, Links, and Multimedia:

FCC Proceeding (2)

LightSquared Petition to use 1670-1680 MHz for Terrestrial Downlinks

In lieu of using L-band spectrum at 1545-1555 MHz (which could interfere with GPS) for terrestrial downlinks, and pending the outcome of a separate FCC rulemaking dealing with its use of 1526-1536 MHz, LightSquared is interested in using the 1670-1680 MHz band for its Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) downlinks. LightSquared is already licensed for 1670-1675 MHz mobile operations by virtue of a license held by its subsidiary, One Dot Six Corp., and in this petition it is asking the FCC to make a primary allocation for mobile operations in the adjacent 1675-1680 MHz band. NOAA, however, uses 1675-1680 MHz for downlinks from weather balloons and from the GOES spacecraft.

Frequencies/Bands

1670 - 1680 MHz

Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: January 28, 2013

LightSquared Petition to use 1670-1680 MHz for Terrestrial Downlinks

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COORDINATION PROCEDURES IN THE 1695-1710 MHz AND 1755-1780 MHz BANDS (FCC/NTIA Public Notice)

In March 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopted new rules that will make available significantly more spectrum for Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). The rules are a milestone in providing commercial access to new spectrum bands through a spectrum-sharing arrangement with incumbent federal users. As part of that arrangement, the Commission’s AWS-3 rules require successful coordination with Federal incumbents prior to operation in Protection Zones (also referred to here as coordination zones). By this Public Notice the Commission, through its Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provide (i) information for potential bidders in the AWS-3 auction and (ii) guidance to the ultimate AWS-3 licensees and the affected Federal incumbents regarding coordination between Federal and non-Federal for shared use of the 1695-1710 MHz and 1755-1780 MHz bands. The joint nature of this Public Notice reflects intersecting jurisdictions of the Commission (commercial users) and NTIA (Federal users) in these bands.

Frequencies/Bands

1695 - 1710 MHz

1755 - 1780 MHz

Document type and status: FCC proceeding (Current)
Document date or date of hyperlink query: November 03, 2014
Fcc Docket(s): GN 13-185

COORDINATION PROCEDURES IN THE 1695-1710 MHz AND 1755-1780 MHz BANDS (FCC/NTIA Public Notice)

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Occupancy Measurements (10)

Band Plan (1)

Legislation (1)

Engineering Data

	Lower Frequency	Center Frequency	Upper Frequency
Frequency	1675 MHz	1687.5 MHz	1700 MHz
Wavelength	17.9 cm	17.8 cm	17.6 cm
Band designator(s)	UHF; L-band (IEEE)	UHF; L-band (IEEE)	UHF; L-band (IEEE)
Isotropic collecting area	25.5 cm²	25.1 cm²	24.7 cm²
Free space loss (1 m)	37.0 dB	37.0 dB	37.1 dB
Free space loss (1 km)	97.0 dB	97.0 dB	97.1 dB
Free space loss (10 km)	117.0 dB	117.0 dB	117.1 dB
Free space loss (100 km)	137.0 dB	137.0 dB	137.1 dB
Free space loss (1000 km)	157.0 dB	157.0 dB	157.1 dB
Free space loss (35,786 km = GEO orbit)	188.1 dB	188.1 dB	188.1 dB
Free space loss (378,370 km = Moon)	208.6 dB	208.6 dB	208.6 dB