Green Bank Interference Protection Group (GB-IPG)

Green Bank Observatory (GBO) is located in the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ) and West Virginia Radio Astronomy Zone (WVRAZ) which affords it significant protections from local fixed wireless transmissions. RFI monitoring activities at the GBO are described in detail here. The Green Bank Interference Protection Group (GB-IPG) meets bi-weekly to discuss RFI issues at the Observatory and in the NRQZ. The GB-IPG is made up of GBO scientists, engineers and data analysts most familiar with RFI challenges at this site.

Green Bank Observatory originally developed an RFI GUI that allowed users to interactively search RFI from the GBT archive. Based on this initial work the NRAO Spectrum Management Department has completed the initial development of a web-based RFI GUI called the Dynamic Radio Interference Finding Tool (DRIFT), which serves RFI data from the GBT, VLA, VLBA, CHIME and other on site spectrum monitoring systems. 

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Sample of the RFI GUI from 2022 data in the 680-920 MHz range showing strong RFI between 800-900 MHz, some intermittent and some consistent. These sorts of detections can be used to track down onsite and offsite RFI sources. This software has been replaced by DRIFT, released in 2026.

Connect with NRAO

The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

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