New Mexico Interference Protection Group (NM-IPG)

The New Mexico Interference Protection Group (NM-IPG) meets monthly to discuss RFI-related issues impacting the Very Large Array (VLA) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) sites. The group is made up of scientists, engineers and data analysts who are familiar with RFI challenges at the VLA and VLBA sites. This group reports to the NRAO Spectrum Management Department, and regularly updates the AUI RFI Working Group that meets each Spring and Fall. Regular RFI scans taken by the VLA and VLBA can be viewed using the Dynamic Radio Interference Finding Tool (DRIFT).

Jansky Very Large Array

While its remote location affords it some geographical protection from RFI sources, the Jansky Very Large Array is not located in an established radio quiet zone, and is subject to more RFI than the telescopes at Green Bank Observatory. An overview of RFI monitoring activities at the VLA are described in detail here.

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The radio spectrum as sampled by the VLA in August 2022 in the D-configuration. Note the large amount of RFI present between 1-2 GHz, with the exception of  several bands protected by international agreement (in particular, near the HI line at 1420 MHz).

Very Long Baseline Array

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), both internally and externally generated, is an increasingly significant problem at VLBA sites, particularly at wavelengths of 18cm and longer. Current VLBA RFI Monitoring information can be found here.

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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