The Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) was formed by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 1961, and it has been supported in some form by the National Science Foundation (NSF) since 1963. Committee activities have predominantly involved radio astronomy issues. In 1969, the Subcommittee on Space Science was added to the existing Subcommittee on Radio Astronomy, and NASA began contributing approximately 25 percent of the support for CORF. In 1987, the two Subcommittees merged into one Committee on an experimental basis. The CORF is the nongovernmental focal point for radio frequency requirements for scientific research. Over the years, the CORF has played a leading role in representing the needs of the scientific community in national and international spectrum management forums, particularly during U.S. preparations for World Administrative Radio Conferences. The NAS has administered the CORF expertly for the past 26 years, and it is appropriate for that arrangement to continue. The CORF provides timely and authoritative advice and recommendations to the NSF and other Government agencies on the use of the radio spectrum for research purposes. The NSF has a direct interest in the activities of CORF and cooperates closely with the Committee through the Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Unit. Input from the CORF to the NSF is of particular value since the NSF represents the research use of the radio spectrum on the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). CORF activities in the 1988-1991 time period will revolve around domestic spectrum allocation activities, participation in the current cycle of meetings of the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR), preparations for a possible upcoming World Administrative Radio Conference of the International Telecommunication Union and advice on the implementation of the Final Acts of the 19897 Mobile World Administrative Radio Conference. The role CORF plays in national and international spectrum management is becoming more important with the increasingly intense competition for radio frequency spectrum. Support for CORF for the period 1988- 1991 is highly recommended. This recommendation for $67,000 covers the NSF contribution to CORF support for the first year of a 3-year continuing grant.
