FCC SETS EMISSION LIMITS FOR RADAR DETECTORS TO PROTECT VSATS
Citing instances of harmful interference to VSATs that have been traced to radar detectors, FCC ordered Fri. that those devices meet Part 15 limits on emissions in 11.7-12.2 GHz band. Rules also require that radar detectors obtain certification under FCC’s equipment authorization procedures and that all of those devices marketed in U.S. comply within 60 days after rules are published. Previously, receivers that tuned above 960 MHz had been exempt from Part 15 limits because they typically hadn’t caused interference to authorized services. Commission said rule changes were prompted by instances of radar detectors’ interference to VSATs that were confirmed by FCC lab tests. By setting Part 15 limits for those devices, order turned down arguments of some in satellite industry that had sought more stringent emissions requirements below Part 15 levels, but industry appeared pleased that new Part 15 limits were being imposed. At same time, order outlined aggressive implementation schedule that required all radar detectors marketed in U.S. meet new emission limits quickly.
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FCC said its actions would prevent interference to VSATs that operated with downlink frequencies in 11.7-12.2 GHz band. Aside from 60-day compliance window, order requires that all radar detectors imported into and manufactured for sale in U.S. must comply within 30 days of Federal Register publication of new rules. Part 15 rules require operators of unintentional radiator to cease operation if it causes harmful interference. FCC said radar detector interference issues couldn’t be solved on case-by-case basis because they were mobile. “Thus, the Commission concluded that it is necessary to require all radar detectors to comply with general emission limits to prevent interference to VSATs,” it said. It said FCC lab tests on radar detectors found emission levels ranged from 33,000 microvolts per meter to 231,000 microvolts per meter. Current Part 15 limit is 500 microvolts per meter at 3 meters. Levels documented by FCC tests “are far greater than the satellite receive signal levels in the 11.7-12.2 GHz band,” agency said. It requires radar detectors to be certified by FCC or designated telecom certification body to demonstrate that they meet new requirements.
Microspace, Satellite Industry Assn. and Hughes Network Systems had been among those in satellite industry charging that radar detectors were causing harmful interference to VSATs. Radar detector manufacturers, on other hand, had told FCC they were on track with technical fix to problem. Commission acknowledged that requiring radar detectors to be certified within 30 days of publication of new rules “may pose some logistical problems for manufacturers.” It said many of devices already might comply with limits and could be certified quickly. Challenge could arise for units already in transit from manufacturer to stores, making it difficult for manufacturers to comply with administrative requirements such as labeling all authorized equipment with FCC ID number. Radar detectors made or imported within 180 days of publication of new rules can be labeled with FCC ID number and Part 15 warning statement on equipment box instead of device itself, order said. “This approach will eliminate the need for manufacturers to cease manufacturing and importing equipment to implement the new labeling requirements and will provide a practical means to label products that comply with the technical requirements but that were produced without labels,” FCC said.
Commission turned down arguments of Radio Assn. Defending Airwave Rights (RADAR) that further notice of proposed rulemaking was needed before emission limits could be adopted because NPRM issued last fall didn’t propose specific regulations. Agency also turned down recommendation by Uniden, Shure and Cisco that emission limits be adopted for other receivers operating above 960 MHz. There are not enough data in proceeding to justify emission limits for broader scope of receivers, order said. FCC took up offer by radar detector manufacturers to provide it with lists of serial numbers to help in identifying products manufactured before and after date on which equipment authorization was required.
RADAR attorney Mitchell Lazarus said manufacturers were pleased with Part 15 Class B emission limits adopted by FCC. RADAR had told Commission in Feb. that industry could eliminate local oscillator emissions to VSAT operators into 11.7-12.2 GHz band by June 2003. Companies have said they now are 6 months ahead of schedule in meeting that timetable. “The schedule in this report and order is much tighter than what we had asked for and, in fact, is unrealistic,” Lazarus said. Thirty-day deadline after publication of rules is “very short” for manufacturers to certify that they comply with requirements, he said. “And 60 days is much too short for retail compliance -- the retail pipeline takes longer than that,” Lazarus said. Provision that allows manufacturers to put stickers on packages rather than equipment for 180-day period is helpful, he said, but “it’s going to cause a lot of confusion at the retail level.”
Satellite Industry Assn. applauded FCC decision to “act expeditiously” on behalf of VSAT operators against interference from radar detectors, Pres. Richard DalBello said. Agency took critical first step toward limiting harmful interference in VSAT bands, DalBello said, and had “sent a clear signal to other unlicensed technologies that must test their products against licensed services or face abrupt removal from the market.”