The Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF) is a committee of
the European Science Foundation (ESF).
CRAF is the ESF Expert Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies. CRAF co-ordinates the efforts on frequency protection for European radio astronomy, passive remote sensing and related sciences.
CRAF is sector member of the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the global organisation dealing with radio frequency management. CRAF has also formal observer status within the Conférence Européenne des Postes et des Télécommunications (CEPT), which represents 47 national Administrations and is responsible for European radio frequency management. This enables CRAF to participate at all levels within the CEPT.
CRAF participated actively in various CEPT activities at all levels on other important
issues, such as
- preparation of European positions for the ITU-R World Radiocommunication Conference
2007, WRC-07;
- Ultra Wideband Transmission technology and Short Range Radar for automotive
applications, which have significant impact on the fundamentals of radio frequency
regulation and management. In particular, specific regulations for the protection
of the vulnerable passive radiocommunication services (like radio astronomy) are
currently under severe pressure by industrial interests.
Having a single European radio astronomy position on these issues is essential. CRAF provides input to the CEPT to ensure that the radio astronomical and related scientific use of frequencies is known and properly protected.
The CRAF members of IUCAF, the Scientific Committee on Frequency Allocations for Radio Astronomy and Space Science of UNESCO, also help to propagate and support the common European CEPT positions on issues related to the fields of science they represent on a worldwide level within the ITU and other global fora.
Under IUCAF, CRAF participated in ITU-R activities such as in ITU-R Working Party 7D (radio astronomy), Task Group 1/8 (Ultra-Wide band issues) and Task Group 1/9 (Spurious emission issues).
In January 2005, interviews had taken place with respondents to the advertisement
for the successor of Dr. Titus Spoelstra, as CRAF frequency manager. At that meeting,
Mr. Laurentiu Alexe has been selected as the successor of Spoelstra.
In the fall of 2005, Mr. Alexe has started to work as CRAF frequency manager in the
CRAF office hosted at the Dwingeloo radio astronomy station, replacing Spoelstra.
Spoelstra has indicated that he may be available to advice CRAF in frequency
management matters.
The CRAF Newsletter, which is made available on the World Wide Web and in hardcopy format, continues to enjoy a wide interest among national frequency administrations, industry and research organisations.
CRAF had two plenary meetings in 2005: in Bologna (Italy) on 11-12 April and in
Aveiro (Portugal) on 17-18 November.
CRAF participated also in the 2nd Summer School in Frequency Management for Radio
Astronomy (Castel San Pietro, Italy, 6-10 June 2005) that was sponsored by RadioNet
and IUCAF. This event was specifically meant to train people who became newly
interested in radio astronomy frequency management.
In 2005, the third edition of the “CRAF Handbook for Radio Astronomy” was published. This publication was sponsored by the ESF. This handbook enjoys a wide readership among inter alia regulatory bodies and national Administrations.