EWA received a member request for ten exclusive-use channels (FB8s) for use within a large industrial facility. The application listed both 11K and 4K emission designators. When applications report multiple designators, EWA’s automated channel selection processes will always use the widest emission designator, in this case 11k, as certified 11K exclusive channels may also be certified at 4K, but the reverse may not be the case. Using the requested parameters provided by the member and the 11K emission designator, only two channel pairs were available for exclusive use. The member then asked EWA “What should we do, lower the antenna height?”
“Understanding what your chosen system technology can accomplish in the way of accommodating spectrum solutions creates options, potentially lots of options,” said EWA Spectrum Advisor Andrew Burkholder. “In other words, be flexible with system requirements as that may translate into greater spectrum successes,” he continued.
The applicant preferred exclusive use channels—available only for licensing within trunked systems - in order to promote security and safety for on-site operations as well for in-building coverage. EWA recommended not only to lower the antenna height, but to reduce the effective radiated power (ERP), both of which serve to reduce predicted service and interfering contours which are used to identify exclusive use channels. EWA also suggested that the customer drop the 11K emission designator. The customer agreed to use only 4K capable equipment within their trunked system which created additional channel opportunities, including qualifying for a low power pool of frequencies.
As a result of EWA’s recommendations, the customer’s request for ten exclusive FB8 channels was fulfilled and ultimately approved by the FCC.