Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation

1511-EX-ST-2017

Status: Grant Expired Due to New License

WL9XXE
2017-10-25

Documents and Communications: [refresh]

Description	Category	Date
E-Mail generated [Oct 17 2017]	Correspondence	2017-10-17
Incoming generated [Oct 17 2017]	Correspondence	2017-10-17
Incoming generated [Oct 20 2017]	Correspondence	2017-10-20
Grant E-mail Notification generated [Oct 25 2017]	Correspondence	2017-10-25
FAA Antenna Sketch	Text Documents	2017-10-10
Fee Waiver Request	Text Documents	2017-10-10
Fee Waiver Request	Text Documents	2017-10-10
Directional Antenna Information	Text Documents	2017-10-10
Experimental Description and Stop Buzzer	Text Documents	2017-10-10

Application Form:

OET Special Temporary Authority Report

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY

Applicant Name

Name of Applicant:

Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation

Address

Attention:	VT-ARC, Attn: Mike Smith
Street Address:	2000 Kraft Dr., Suite 1000
P.O. Box:
City:	Blacksburg
State:	VA
Zip Code:	24060
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: Smith
First Name: Mike
Title: Senior Systems Engineer
Phone Number: 3216150779

Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
The intended devices operates in the 433 MHz band and exceeds limits for low power unlicensed operation. While compliant with Part 97 regulations, this device is being operated under a research contract (monetary compensation), and therefore Part 97 rules do not apply.

Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

Two devices operating as health/status beacons and command/control responders onboard a high altitude balloon. Two more devices operating on the ground as balloon payload command/control uplinks and balloon health/status beacons receivers. During nominal operations, the average transmission rate of the payload radio will be 1 short narrowband burst every 30 seconds. A narrowband burst consists of the transmission of a packet of information of which the duration of the on air transmission will not exceed 10 miliseconds. Occasionally, in response to C2 commands from the ground which will happen rarely, the payload radio might send more bursts back to back (aka packets) rapidly in response to the command, but only for a short period of time before resuming the nominal 30 second beacon interval. There is also a single ground location beacon transmitting to a balloon payload receiver (also a short, narrowband burst once every 30 seconds).

Information

Callsign:	WL9XXE
Class of Station:	MO
Nature of Service:	Experimental

Requested Period of Operation

Operation Start Date:	11/12/2017
Operation End Date:	12/11/2017

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:
Semtech	SX1231	5	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):	Glenn Michael Smith
Title of Applicant (if any):	Senior Systems Engineer
Date:	2017-10-10 00:00:00.0

Station Location

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
	Elko	Nevada	North 40 49 56	West 115 45 47	East of Elko, NV to Wendover Airport, UT	250.00

Datum: NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used? Yes
Exhibit submitted: Yes
(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: 2.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters: 1554.48
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers: 1.00
(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: None

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	433.07500000-434.77500000 MHz	MO	2.000000 W 28.183800 W	M	0.00100000 %	25K0F1D	9600 baud

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
	Elko	Nevada	North 40 49 56	West 115 45 47	East of Elko, NV to Wendover Airport, UT	250.00

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? Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters: 2.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters: 1554.48
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers: 1.00
(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: None

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	433.07500000-434.77500000 MHz	MO	2.000000 W 4.466830 W	M	0.00100000 %	25K0F1D	9600 baud

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
	Elko	Nevada	North 40 49 56	West 115 45 47	Flight level 95000 ft, Elko, NV	1200.00

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? Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters: 28956.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters: 1554.48
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers: 1.00
(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 will be fixed to a high altitude balloon operating at 95,000 ft, above commercial aviation cruising altitudes. During payload ascent/descent an ADS-B transponder will be active notifying aircraft in the vicinity of the balloon/payload position.

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	433.07500000-434.77500000 MHz	MO	2.000000 W 4.466830 W	M	0.00100000 %	25K0F1D	9600 baud

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
	Elko	Nevada	North 40 49 56	West 115 45 47	Flight level 95000ft, East across NV,UT to Carr,CO	1200.00

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? Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters: 28956.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters: 1554.48
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers: 1.00
(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 will be fixed to a high altitude balloon operating at 95,000 ft, above commercial aviation cruising altitudes. During payload ascent/descent an ADS-B transponder will be active notifying aircraft in the vicinity of the balloon/payload position.

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	433.07500000-434.77500000 MHz	MO	2.000000 W 4.466830 W	M	0.00100000 %	25K0F1D	9600 baud

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
	Elko	Nevada	North 40 49 56	West 115 45 47	East of Elko, to area near Wendover Airport, UT	250.00

Datum: NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used? Yes
Exhibit submitted: Yes
(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: 2.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers: 1.00
(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: None

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	433.07500000-434.77500000 MHz	MO	2.000000 W 28.183800 W	M	0.00100000 %	25K0F1D	9600 baud

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