[NLRS] Mimosa and 10 GHz

[WA2VOI, Donn]

This is an important  one, folks.  While I don't believe anyone in the upper Midwest has 
been approached (yet), we need to be aware of the possibility.

There is a follow-on message that I've copied onto the bottom of this one... PLEASE read 
all the way through.

Thanks.

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Williams via Microwave" <microwave at mailmanlists.us>
To: <microwave at mailmanlists.us>
Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2016 10:47 PM
Subject: [Mw] Forwarded Message


> Here is a forwarded message from the SBMS, originated by Brian AF6NA. I am not sure 
> about the questions posed, except that being careful regarding any such offers might be 
> a good idea until we learn more.
>
> Tom WA1MBA
>
> ----
>
> Dear Microwave Enthusiasts,
>
> You may be aware that Mimosa Networks of Santa Clara, CA filed a petition for licensing 
> 2 or 3 years ago to use their broadband radio gear in the 10 GHz band.
> You may also remember that FCC rules and international radio treaty prohibit _commercial 
> broadband_ operation on the 10.0 to 10.5 GHz band.  Mimosa's license filing was 
> declined.
>
> Last year I (Brian, AF6NA) was contacted by the CEO of Mimosa Networks with an offer to 
> supply me and my microwave Amateur friends with broadband 10 GHz radios to try out and 
> experiment with.  We did not accept their offer. When they contacted me, I immediately 
> contacted our ARRL Vice Director about it and our club leadership at SBMS decided to 
> defer to the ARRL because of their expertise in communications law and Amateur spectrum 
> defense.
>
> I just was contacted again, a day ago, by the same person, the CEO of Mimosa with a 
> similar offer.  So they are not giving up.
> Apparently, Mimosa Networks has a keen interest in getting Amateurs to use their 
> commercial broadband equipment.
> If someone in the Amateur microwave community did so, It may create a loophole that 
> jeopardizes the legal protection of this band.
> I'm not a legal expert, but I'd appreciate any _informed_ feedback [on this topic].
>
> I also wondered who else this company might be contacting? If you have been contacted by 
> Mimosa, please contact me directly, at brianaf6na at gmail.com 
> <mailto:brianaf6na at gmail.com>.
>
> I cannot stress enough here, please do not be persuaded to operate in the Amateur 10 GHz 
> band of 10.0 to 10.5 GHz with any _un-modified commercial broadband_ equipment.
> Let's all stand together and protect the amateur 10 GHz band.until we all get reliable 
> information from the ARRL or other sources.
>
>
*********************
FOLLOW-ON
*********************

Microwavers - FYI,

Below is a message forwarded from Brennan N4QX, the CTO of the ARRL on
the issue in the message from Brian (which I forwarded earlier today).

Tom WA1MBA


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: Mimosa and 10 GHz
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2016 00:48:31 +0000
From: Price, Brennan, N4QX <bprice at arrl.org>
To: Willams, Tom, WA1MBA <tomw at wa1mba.org>
CC: Frenaye, Tom (Dir, NE) <k1ki at arrl.org>, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ
<dsumner at arrl.org>, Chris Imlay W3KD <W3KD at aol.com>, Gallagher, Tom,
NY2RF <tgallagher at arrl.org>



Tom,

Both Tom Frenaye and Dave Sumner passed the message from the microwave
reflector about Mimosa's giveaway efforts on 10 GHz.

Mimosa's efforts to advance its fatally flawed petition have hit a stone
wall. They have made zero effort to pay any more than lip service to
amateur compatibility, and there are real problems with compatibility
with incumbent services as well.

While expanded mobile broadband is politically favored, 10 GHz has not
proved fertile ground for it, either domestically or on the
international stage at the next WRC. Rather than making a good faith
effort to rework their NPRM into something we could consider, they are
grasping at straws to demonstrate compatibility with incumbent services
with no risk to them (our licenses would be the ones on the line if
there's an interference situation) and real risk to our long term
ability to use the band.

Your and Brian's suggestions of caution are warranted and welcome, and
you may pass this along with attribution to me if you wish.

73 de Brennan N4QX

Brennan T. Price, N4QX
Chief Technology Officer
American Radio Relay League
PO Box 3470
Oakton VA 22124-9470
Tel +1 860 594-0247