[BC] Re: So how did we miss this one?

[R J Carpenter]

Am I __way__ off base in thinking it was Microsoft which was asking 
for the 24 GHz allocation?

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When in the USAF eons ago I worked for one of the "imported" German 
scientists.  He pointed out that the US chose 24 GHz for a radar band 
not realizing it was a water-absorption frequency. Range was POOR.  He 
said the Germans knew about the water problem, but couldn't make 
reliable equipment nearly that high in frequency.

His last project while in Germany during WW2 was to communicate with 
Japan by moon reflection on S-band.  He was glad the war ended since 
the Germans didn't have adequate transmitter tubes and the project was 
doomed to fail.

He was eventually Engineering VP of Comsat.  Whenever I pass the Cesar 
Pelli designed Comsat Labs building I think of Siegfried .. the design 
has his preferences written all over it.    It's now for sale and may 
be torn down.

bob c.