The reason 60 GHz is a very questionable frequency to choose is do to the Oxygen (O2) absorption line present in the Earth's atmosphere. This means that an RF signal propagating through the atmosphere at a freq. of 60 GHz will be severly attenuated (up to 10,000 dB/km!). See http://www.rfcafe.com/references/electrical/atm_ab sorption.htm for a plot of loss vs. frequency. This puts a serious damper on long-range communications!
Slashdot Mirror
The reason 60 GHz is a very questionable frequency to choose is do to the Oxygen (O2) absorption line present in the Earth's atmosphere. This means that an RF signal propagating through the atmosphere at a freq. of 60 GHz will be severly attenuated (up to 10,000 dB/km!). See http://www.rfcafe.com/references/electrical/atm_ab sorption.htm for a plot of loss vs. frequency. This puts a serious damper on long-range communications!