Robert “RJ” Russell, SBE National Frequency Coordination Manager, sent the following bulletin this week to local coordinators:
“On November 18, 2024, the SBE was informed by the office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Defense, that the SBE’s frequency coordination services in the 2GHz band would no longer be required. The SBE’s services end on January 31, 2025.
“While the SBE was notified that it will no longer provide frequency coordination services for coordinating DoD use of the shared spectrum (2025-2110 MHz) is still required to be coordinated as per the MOU executed by DoD, NAB, and the SBE. With that, the Department of Defense will need to contact spectrum users directly. Please inform spectrum users in your area that they need to watch for these requests and they must respond to these requests to protect their spectrum allocation. Ignoring a coordination request or not reporting interference will cause greater problems later. Likewise, ALL DoD coordination requests must be shared with me for review.
“While the contracted service with HII [Huntington Ingalls Industries] to support DoD operations has ended, the DoD is still required to coordinate all shared spectrum use.”
The real world consequences of this change remain to be seen. Will co-channel 2 GHz military users will actually contact local TV stations when they want to use the band? Traditionally, they have contacted local volunteer coordinator Fred Swift when using the band, though Fred has said in the past that he has seldom been contacted. If ENG and military crews use directional antennas, they may be able to use the band coincidentally, especially if isolated on the USMC Base Camp Pendleton. ENG crews are using the 2 GHz band less as they favor transmission via LTE systems.
San Diego TV stations should have contact information for military transmission officers should they experience any 2 GHz band interference. The local microwave frequency coordinator, Fred Swift at KUSI/KSWB, can provide assistance and contact information, and should be notified of any interference issues on the shared band.
Russell said, “With the change above, I am shifting my role as well. I will become the chair of the SBE Frequency Coordination Committee, taking over for Bob Weller, who has chaired the committee since fall 2023. Bob is agreeable with this change. Bob will continue to work with the SBE on legislative and regulatory issues. I will also maintain the role as Frequency Coordination Manager since this position is spelled out in the MOU.”