Ground Penetrating Radar Industry Coalition

The three primary manufacturers of ground penetrating radar (GPR) instruments, Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., Mala Geoscience Inc. and Sensors & Software Inc., have formed the Ground Penetrating Radar Industry Coalition (GPRIC) to work with the FCC (U.S. Federal Communication Commission) on improving the rules that govern UWB GPR devices (FCC Docket 98-153). GPRIC membership is open to any GPR industry members wishing to participate and contribute support to this effort.

The FCC press release of February 14^th, 2002 suggests untenable rules for UWB radars that adversely impact GPR. The GPRIC will work to have those rules changed. .GPRIC will continue the less formal efforts of the Peter Annan, Gary Olhoeft, Alan Schutz and David Wright group which conveyed GPR community concerns to the FCC during 2001. Lead legal counsel for the GPRIC is Mitchell Lazarus of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, P.L.C.

Since the FCC has yet to publish its Report and Order on the subject specific details on the rules are not yet available. Furthermore, the GPR community is cautioned it is illegal to contact FCC officials until the Report and Order is publicly released.

Any party wishing to join the GPRIC can obtain a copy of the coalition membership conditions and membership list from Claudia Landucci (cl@sensoft.ca) at Sensors & Software Inc.