John J. Renner; VHF maritime mobile communications: A systems approach to serving user requirements, IEEE J. Oceanic Eng., vol. 2, pp. 229 - 238, July 1977.
John J. Renner (M'43-SM'70-F'76) is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge.He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the District of Columbia, and has served as an officer in the Signal Corps and Air Force during World War II. Since then, he has practiced engineering for government and industry with offices in Washington, DC, and Arlington, VA. Since 1968, has has been President of Advanced Technology Systems, Inc. (ATS), an engineering firm which he founded. ATS is dedicated to serving the user. Under his leadership, ATS has performed several important projects for the government agencies responsible for regulation and/or operation of communications for public safety, maritime, highway safety, and common carrier applications. These include three important projects for the FCC: an evaluation of the Citizen's Radio Service in 1970. an analysis of the Coastal Telegraph Industry in 1973, and an analysis of the requirements for Emergency Medical Services, completed early in 1974. All of these studies have become the basis for major FCC actions directed towards the improvement of these radio services. He has been a consulting engineer to the Lake Carriers' Association since 1947. In 1969, he performed an evaluation of the feasibility of establishing an all-VHF full-coverage multipurpose VHF system for the Great Lakes. In 1972, under contract to the Maritime Administration, an engineered plan for an automated system was developed by ATS. That system is now in process of implementation. In 1971, under contract to Federal Highway Administration, he was responsible for the analysis of the need for a motorist aid radio system. This resulted in a recommended program and system design for a system that would provide low-cost high-capability two-way in-vehicle communications for motorists. Presently, FHWA is pursuing R&D projects looking towards the development of equipment to satisfy requirements set forth in the ATS report. He has participated extensively in national and international meetings relating to the establishment of policies and regulations for use of radio for communication and navigation. He has also participated extensively as a technical expert in the FCC proceedings investigating AT&T rates. He is presently, and routinely, involved in the planning of radio and wire communications systems for county, state, and commercial agencies.
Mr. Renner is an active member of several professional societies and has numerous publications. In 1968, he was International Chairman of the IEEE Professional Group on Vehicular Technology. He is a Member of the Technical Review Board of Microwave Journal and the Telecommunications Journal, and a Fellow of the Radio Club of America.