University of Colorado

1895-EX-ST-2019

Status: Pending

WP9XHD
2019-10-07

Application Form:

OET Special Temporary Authority Report

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY

Applicant Name

Name of Applicant:

University of Colorado

Address

Attention:	Nikolay Zabotin
Street Address:	1111 Engineering Drive
P.O. Box:	425 UCB
City:	Boulder
State:	CO
Zip Code:	80309
Country:	United States
E-Mail Address:	[email protected]

Best Contact

Give the following information of person who can best handle inquiries pertaining to this application:
Last Name: Zabotin
First Name: Nikolay
Title: Research Professor
Phone Number: 303-449-1228

Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
The Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking an FCC Special Temporary Authority to perform test measurements that will require transmitting low power pulses within a carrier frequency band spanning 2-25 MHz (excluding prohibited bands, e.g., standard frequency and timing signal). I am the PI of the project developing the first Transportable Dynasonde System (TDS), as a part of the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR; Award umber FA9550-18-1-0468). Dynasonde is an advanced technique of ionospheric radio sounding based on comprehensive use of the phase information in pulsed HF/MF signals reflected by the ionosphere. Historically it has been developed in Boulder, Colorado, first at the NOAAs Space Environment Laboratory and then at the University of Colorado (https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/iono/Dynasonde/history.htm). The Dynasonde, together with its mature data analysis software, belongs to the category of universal instruments capable to provide quantitative information about a broad range of ionospheric and thermospheric parameters. It is particularly useful for detecting and studying atmospheric waves. The first operational installation of the Transportable Dynasonde System is planned in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, where it will participate in the Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance Experiment (TID-Ex). TID-Ex is a comprehensive AFOSR and National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored measurement and modeling program that will be conducted in 2019-2020 and will leverage significant resources to examine the hypothesis that Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) arise from Gravity Waves (GWs) propagating into the ionosphere/thermosphere from sources located below. The Dynasonde will contribute tremendously into studying connections between the ocean, mountain and the thermospheric waves in this extremely interesting region, which is considered a hot spot for atmospheric gravity wave activity. After participation in the TID-Ex program the Transportable Dynasonde System will participate in a series of experiments for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Space Environment Exploitation (DARPA SEE) program (Award number 140D6319C0032 to the North West Research Associates and the University of Colorado). The Transportable Dynasonde System will include the VIPIR (Vertical Incidence Pulse Ionospheric Radar) HF Radar manufactured by Scion Associates Inc. Delivery of main components of the VIPIR is expected as soon as this week (September 16-22). After initial assembly in a temporary setup inside of a standard 20 feet shipping container currently located on the roof of the CUs Engineering Center in Boulder, and before its shipping to Argentina, the system and all its components must undergo a thorough acceptance testing, including a week long continuous run in Dynasonde mode and data gathering. The systems stability, including coherency of the inter-channel phase differences in both calibration signals and ionospheric echoes, must be verified in the tests. These data will also be used to adapt the Dynasonde analysis code for use with the transportable system.

Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

The testing should not take longer than 2 weeks, including approximately a week of the continuous run in a standard Dynasonde mode. But the start date of the testing period is not specified yet because the equipments vendor is delaying the delivery. This is the only reason why we are asking for an one month extension. The standard Dynasonde sounding session is characterized by a pulse repetition interval of 5-10 ms and by the number of base frequencies from 500 to 600 in the frequency band 2–25 MHz. Base frequency is progressing steadily within each sounding session, so that only 8 pulses can occur at approximately the same frequencies. Pulses are grouped into a carefully designed pattern that facilitates echo detection and application of higher-level analysis routines. The 2 min interval between sounding sessions guarantees sufficient temporal resolution for sampling wave and other dynamic processes in the ionosphere. Pulse bandwidth of 30 kHz and raised cosine pulse envelope are specifically chosen to minimize possible Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) to other users of the spectrum. Effective Radiation Power of the system is only 10 W, and the duty factor 0.4-0.7%. For the tests we will be using a version of the simple horizontal dipole G5RV ZS6BKW antenna optimized with 1:1 balun for low parasitic emissions. The antenna will be installed on the roof of the Engineering Center, 25 feet above the rooftop and 75 feet above the ground, with approximately West-East orientation. The planned test operation will be strictly on a non-interference basis. The requested frequencies and operational transmission parameters are those permitted under Section 90.266 of the FCC rules: Long Distance Communications on Frequencies below 25 MHz. The permitted operational parameters are identified specifically in the FCCs Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 (Telecommunication), Volume 1, Chapter 1, Part 2.106: Table of Frequency Allocations. The frequency bands requested are designed to avoid the Restricted Bands of Operation stipulations described in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 (Telecommunications), Part 15 (Radio Frequency Devices), Subpart C (Intentional Radiators). Dynasonde is a well-established low-RFI instrument. It has operated in many locations worldwide, without any RFI-related complaints. This includes the current multi-year Dynasonde operation at the NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility and previous Dynasonde operation in Boulder, CO on NOAA campus.

Information

Callsign:	WP9XHD
Class of Station:	FX
Nature of Service:	Experimental

Requested Period of Operation

Operation Start Date:	10/22/2019
Operation End Date:	11/15/2019

Manufacturer

Manufacturer	Model Number	No. Of Units	Experimental
List below transmitting equipment to be installed (if experimental, so state) if additional rows are required, please submit equipment list as an exhibit:
Scion Associates Inc.	VIPIR 2	1	No
Tomco Technologies	BT4B-6728	1	No
Amateur Radio Supplies	G5RV Pro ZS6BKW	1	No

Certification

Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.

Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):	Nikolay Zabotin
Title of Applicant (if any):	Research Professor, Ph.D.
Date:	2019-10-07 00:00:00.0

Station Location

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
	Boulder	Colorado	North 40 0 27	West 105 15 44

Datum: NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used? No
Exhibit submitted: No
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building? Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters: 25.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters: 1635.00
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers: 4.30
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft: The CU's Engineering Center has several tower-like parts of the building that extend much higher (some by ~20 m) over the rooftop where the wire antenna will be installed. Actually the wire antenna will be attached to two existing structures that are higher than the mounting points.

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	2.00000000-25.00000000 MHz	FX	1.500000 kW 10.000000 W	P	10.00000000 %	30K0P0N	0.033 ms pulses

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