| STA is to exercise the use of airborne repeaters for wide area communications or other disasters. STA period is September 1 - 17, 2022. This is the exercise period plus testing and potential weather delays. Max 5000' altitude |
1701 E. Main
Urbana, Illinois 61802
217-328-3800
www.ileas.org
David Summer
Chief
Fox Lake Park
District
President
Michael Metzler
Chief
Mahomet
Vice-President
Brian VanVickle
Sheriff
Ogle County
Treasurer
Rick Robbins
Sheriff
Montgomery County
Secretary
Bradley Potts
Chief
Deer Creek
Sergeant-at-Arms
James Page
ILEAS
Executive Director
July 25, 2022
To: Federal Communications Commission
From William Springer, ILEAS Communications Liaison
RE: STA for Airborne Repeater Operation in Illinois
ILEAS is participating in an Illinois National Guard state-wide earthquake communications
exercise in Illinois on September 10-11, 2022. One of the objectives of this exercise is to
validate and train on various methods of long-range radio communications that do not use
existing infrastructure-based systems, such as the Starcom21 statewide radio system,
cellular, etc.
One method that can fill this need is the use of airborne repeaters aboard Civil Air Patrol
(CAP) aircraft. We believe that this is a very effective way to quickly provide wide-area
radio communications to a wide area during a disaster, such as an earthquake, that
degraded or destroyed all other communications infrastructure.
We believe that this will be an important part of any disaster communications, as there
are approximately 60,000 radios in the state that could potentially make use of this.
However, CAP normally uses Federal frequencies for airborne repeaters that civilian
agencies aren’t allowed use.
ILEAS is requesting a STA to operate a portable 700 MHz repeater from a CAP aircraft
during the exercise. This will allow us to train on the use of airborne repeaters, especially
with our partners in the Illinois National Guard.
The technical operations parameters that we are requesting are:
Frequency: 7MOB59 770.89375 / 800.89375 MHz
Power: 10 W EIRP Maximum
Operational Area: The counties of Logan, Macoupin, Madison, Mason, Menard, Peoria,
Sangamon, St. Clair, and Tazewell in central & southern Illinois.
Maximum Altitude: 5,000 ft.
Authorization Period: September 1-17, 2022
Past testing has shown reliable communications out to about 60 miles, with a 70 mile
radius possible in the right conditions.
We will primarily be operating on September 10-11, 2022, we are requesting the longer
time period to allow for short periods of additional testing, or any weather delays.
