Australia Telescope Compact Array

ATCA External RFI

External interference has two main sources - satellites and ground-based (terrestrial) emitters. Most ground based emitters are in the Nandewar ranges (Mt. Dowe & The Governor). However, there are other terrestrial emitters which have been identified from time to time.

Here are some useful search tools:

Search tool of ACMA licensed terrestrial emitters.(may require unix login)

SaRFIs, search tool of possible satellite emitters.

Mt Dowe - TV Transmissions

  182.240 MHz           (VHF Ch7 - analog) (Switch off Dec 2012)
  191.625 MHz (BW 6MHz) (VHF Ch8 - digital)
  196.240 MHz           (VHF Ch9 - analog) (Switch off Dec 2012)
  205.625 MHz (BW 6MHz) (VHF Ch9A - digital)
  527.198 MHz           (UHF Ch28 - analog) (Switch off Dec 2012)
  548.198 MHz           (UHF Ch31 - analog) (Switch off Dec 2012)
  569.198 MHz           (UHF Ch34 - analog) (Switch off Dec 2012)
  585.500 MHz (BW 6MHz) (UHF Ch36 - digital)
  592.500 MHz (BW 6MHz) (UHF Ch37 - digital)
  613.500 MHz (BW 6MHz) (UHF Ch40 - digital)

Mt Cenn Cruaich TV Transmissions

  175.260 MHz           (VHF Ch6 - analog) (Switch off June 2012)
  216.250 MHz           (VHF Ch11 - analog) (Switch off June 2012)
  226.625 MHz (BW 6MHz) (VHF Ch12 - digital)
  534.198 MHz           (UHF Ch29 - analog) (Switch off June 2012)
  555.198 MHz           (UHF Ch32 - analog) (Switch off June 2012)
  576.198 MHz           (UHF Ch35 - analog) (Switch off June 2012)
  620.500 MHz (BW 6MHz) (UHF Ch41 - digital)
  641.500 MHz (BW 6MHz) (UHF Ch44 - digital)
  648.500 MHz (BW 6MHz) (UHF Ch45 - digital)
  655.500 MHz (BW 6MHz) (UHF Ch46 - digital)

Known RFI that could be detected in band (in ascending frequency order)

  Mt Dowe TV transmitter harmonics
    1068 MHz (BW 14MHz - analog) (Mt Dowe TV transmitter - 2nd harmonic) (Switch off Dec 2012)
    1110 MHz (BW 14MHz - analog) (Mt Dowe TV transmitter - 2nd harmonic) (Switch off Dec 2012)
    1152 MHz (BW 14MHz - analog) (Mt Dowe TV transmitter - 2nd harmonic) (Switch off Dec 2012)
    1171 MHz (BW 12MHz - digital) (Mt Dowe TV transmitter - 2nd harmonic)
    1185 MHz (BW 12MHz - digital) (Mt Dowe TV transmitter - 2nd harmonic)
    1227 MHz (BW 12MHz - digital) (Mt Dowe TV transmitter - 2nd harmonic)

  1227.6 MHz (BW 20.46MHz) (GPS L2 precision code)

  1240-1252 MHz (1246 + n x 0.4375 where n = -7,7) (Glonass Satellite positioning - like GPS)

  1381.05 MHz (BW 2.5MHz) (GPS L3 code)

  1.5GHz Terrestrial Microwave Link Band (1427-1535 MHz)
    1430.5 1448.5 1503 MHz (BW 4MHz)       (Mt Dowe microwave link transmissions)
    1440.5 1458.5 1501 1509 MHz (BW 4MHz)  (Other microwave link transmissions)
    1437.5 1445.5 1494 MHz (BW 2MHz)       (Other microwave link transmissions)

  L-band Satellite band (1525-1660MHz)
    1525 - 1560 MHz (Inmarsat sat phone system - downlinks)
    1525 - 1560 MHz (Thuraya sat phone system - downlinks)
    1545 - 1559 MHz (Optus Mobilesat phone system - geosynchronous orbit)
    1575.42 MHz (GPS L1 coarse/acquisition code)
    1603 - 1615 MHz (Glonass Satellite positioning - like GPS)
    1610 - 1621.35 MHz (Globalstar global satellite phone system - uplinks)
    1626 - 1660.5 MHz (Thuraya sat phone system - uplinks)

  1.8GHz Terrestrial Microwave Link Band (1700-1900 MHz)
    1720.5 1734.5 1748.5 1839.5 1853.5 MHz (BW 14 MHz)
    1725.975 MHz (BW 1.95MHz)

  2.1GHz Terrestrial Microwave Link Band (1900-2300 MHz)
    2236.5 2251 2265.5 2280 MHz (BW 29 MHz)

  2.4GHz ISM unlicensed band (2400-2483.5MHz) wireless LAN, bluetooth, cordless phones, microwave ovens)

  S-band Globalstar satellite phone system downlinks
    2490.54 MHz (BW 1.23MHz) (Globalstar global satellite phone system - downlink)
    2491.77 MHz (BW 1.23MHz) (Globalstar global satellite phone system - downlink)
    2495.46 MHz (BW 1.23MHz) (Globalstar global satellite phone system - downlink)

  5625MHz Weather Radar - Moree (BW 6MHz)

  5.8GHz ISM unlicensed band (5725-5875MHz) wireless LAN, cordless phones

  6GHz Terrestrial Microwave Link Band (5925-6425 MHz)
    5945.2 MHz (BW 30MHz) (Mt Dowe microwave link transmission)

  6.7GHz Terrestrial Microwave Link Band (6425-7110 MHz)
    6460 MHz (BW 40MHz) (Haystack Mountain, Bellata - microwave link transmission)

  8GHz Terrestrial Microwave Link Band (7725-8275 MHz)
    7762.525 MHz (BW 30MHz)           (Wee Waa microwave link transmission)
    7762.525 7881.125 MHz (BW 30 MHz) (Haystack Mountain, Bellata or Narrabri microwave link transmissions)
    8073.845 MHz (BW 30MHz)           (Bohena Ck microwave link transmission)
    8073.845 8192.445 MHz (BW 30MHz)  (Mt Dowe microwave link transmissions)

Original: Derek McKay (3-Apr-1995)
Modified: Peter Mirtschin (16-Dec-2009)