Potential Spectrum Interference Associated with Military Land Mobile Radios
Abstract
To address homeland defense needs and comply with government direction that agencies use the electromagnetic spectrum more efficiently, the Department of Defense (DOD) is deploying new Land Mobile Radios to military installations across the country. The new Land Mobile Radios operate in the same frequency range--380 Megahertz (MHz) to 399.9 MHz-- as many unlicensed low-powered garage door openers, which have operated in this range for years. While DOD has been the authorized user of this spectrum range for several decades, their use of Land Mobile Radios between 380 MHz and 399.9 MHz is relatively new. With DODs deployment of the new radios and increased use of the 380 MHz-399.9 MHz range of spectrum, some users of garage door openers have experienced varying levels of inoperability that has been attributed to interference caused by the new radios.1 Nevertheless, because garage door openers operate as unlicensed devices, they must accept any interference from authorized spectrum users. This requirement stems from Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.2 Garage door openers and other unlicensed devices are often referred to as Part 15 devices.3 In response to your April 27, 2005, request, we reviewed the potential spectrum interference caused by DODs recent deployment of Land Mobile Radios. Specifically, you asked us to (1) determine the extent of the problem of spectrum interference associated with the recent testing and use of mobile radios at military facilities in the United States, (2) review the efforts made by DOD during the development of its Land Mobile Radio system to identify and avoid spectrum interference, and (3) identify efforts to address the problem. We briefed your staff on August 30, 2005, on the results of our review. This report summarizes that information and makes a recommendation to the Department of Defense.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- AD1176666
Entities
People
- John Oppenheim
- Lisa Henson
- Paul L. Francis
- Ridge Bowman
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office