University of Washington

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY

Applicant Name

Name of Applicant:

University of Washington

Address

Attention:	Michael McCarthy
Street Address:	Box 351310
P.O. Box:
City:	Seattle
State:	WA
Zip Code:	98195
Country:
E-Mail Address:	[email protected]

Best Contact

Give the following information of person who can best handle inquiries pertaining to this application:   Last Name: McCarthy First Name: Michael Title: Research Associate Professor Phone Number: 2066852543

Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary: On 26Dec07, Tony Serafini of the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Experimental Licensing Branch responded to an inquiry I had made, suggesting the STA was an appropriate tool for my application. An infrequent transmitting activity, which I had assumed was permitted, was recently identified as possibly not permitted. This activity, as explained below, is for university and high school level educational purposes. It uses a low power 433MHz transmitter with an omni-directional antenna. I would like to be able to continue this activity with the appropriate permissions.

Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

Research in atmospheric structure and radio communications using a transmitter as a sounder to make atmospheric temperature profiles and as a beacon to recover the transmitter. The purpose is to provide a simple inexpensive means for students to learn about radio communications and atmospheric structure. I help teach a class at University of Washington in which we use a low power radio transmitter in three exercises. One exercise, in a laboratory, is to build a circuit to modulate (OOK) an inexpensive off-the-shelf 433MHz SAW transmitter (hybrid circuit) using a 555 timer, whose pulse rate is temperature dependent. As a second exercise, we launch one of these student-built circuits on a 3ft helium balloon and use the received signal to provide a sounding of the atmospheric temperature profile from sea level to about 50000 feet. This measurement is done in conjunction with lectures about atmospheric structure. Students help set up receiver station, launch the balloon, and then analyze the recovered data. Finally, we use the device as a beacon, together with direction-finding equipment, to locate and recover a larger balloon payload which carries student-designed instrumentation into the stratosphere. The tracking/recovery is done after the balloon pops and returns to Earth. I have also done parts of this exercise as a volunteer at a local high school.

Information

Callsign:	WG9XJR
Class of Station:	MO
Nature of Service:	Experimental

Requested Period of Operation

Operation Start Date:	05/01/2016
Operation End Date:	05/31/2016

Manufacturer

List below transmitting equipment to be installed (if experimental, so state) if additional rows are required, please submit equipment list as an exhibit:
Manufacturer	Model Number	No. Of Units	Experimental
NA	NA	4	Yes

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):	Michael McCarthy
Title of Applicant (if any):	Research Associate Professor
Date:	2016-03-09 00:00:00.0

Station Location

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
		Washington	North  47  39  12	West  122  18  21	Free-flying balloons from Seattle/Moses Lake	500.00

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?   No (a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:   (b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:   (c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:   (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 antenna is part of an FAA compliant flying payload that is not regarded as harmful to aircraft, due to its small size and mass.

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	433.84500000-433.99500000 MHz	MO	18.000000 mW 25.000000 mW	M		1K50L3D	0.5--600 Hz OOK

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