. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In reply refer to:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800B3-BJB

Fr. Harry Speckman
Vice-President
Quincy University Corporation
1800 College Avenue
Quincy, IL 62301-2699

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In re: WQUB(FM), Quincy, IL
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quincy University Corporation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Special Temporary Authority

Dear Father Speckman

: The staff has under consideration your October 1, 1996 letter requesting special temporary authority (STA) to allow Quincy University Corporation ("Quincy") to operate noncommercial educational station WQUB(FM), Quincy, IL with a transmitter that has not yet been "type notified."

By way of background, Quincy is currently licensed (BLED-930823KC) to operate WQUB on Channel 212B with 10 kW effective radiated power (ERP) at 127 meters antenna height above average terrain (HAAT). Quincy also holds a construction permit authorizing WQUB to operate from its licensed site with 28 kW ERP at the current antenna height. In exchange for allowing the WQUB facility to be used as a field test site, the Harris Corporation has offered Quincy a free 10 kW transmitter. The STA request is necessary to allow use of the Harris "Platinum Z FM" transmitter because: (1) Harris has not yet submitted type notification to the FCC and (2) testing of the transmitter(s) requires WQUB to operate at variance from both its license and its permit authorizations. See Footnote 1.

Specifically, WQUB would operate for approximately a 2 month period beginning October 12, 1996 with the Harris Z5FM transmitter at 5 kW transmitter power output (TPO). On December 12, 1996, upon completion of the 5 kW transmitter testing, a Harris Z10FM transmitter will be installed, which, when operated at 9.72 kW TPO, is capable of achieving the 28 kW ERP authorized in the WQUB construction permit. Harris has tested the transmitters with dummy loads and has collected data showing that the transmitters are stable and would not result in any interference. The WQUB tests would allow Harris to observe the transmitters in a "real world" environment, enabling the company to make any necessary design changes prior to filing type notification with the FCC. Harris will file for type notification upon completion of the field tests and expects FCC approval within thirty days of that filing. This would allow Quincy to file an application for license covering the newly type notified transmitter by March of 1997.

Accordingly, in light of the above, special temporary authority IS HEREBY GRANTED to allow WQUB to operate facilities less than or equal to that authorized in permit BPED-931217MB (up to 9.72 kW TPO or 28 kW ERP) utilizing a non type notified transmitter. This authority is conditioned upon a lack of objectionable interference and compliance with the pertinent FM technical requirements of 47 C.F.R. §§ 73.317, 73.319, and 73.322.

This authority expires April 1, 1997. Once Harris has officially filed a type notification request and upon commencement of continuous full power operation with the WQUB permit

facility, Quincy must file an application for license on FCC Form 302-FM. See Footnote 2. The license application should include a copy of this letter as well as a statement from Harris verifying that formal type notification is on file.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sincerely,

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert D. Greenberg
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supervisory Engineer
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audio Services Division
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mass Media Bureau


cc: Frank Coperich,
. . . OET, Equipment Authorization Division

Footnotes:

Footnote 1: Construction permit BPED-931217MB authorizes WQUB to operate a transmitter that is included in the FCC's "Radio Equipment List, Equipment Acceptable for Licensing." If an applicant chooses to be licensed with a transmitter that is not type accepted or notified in accordance with Part 2 of the Commission's Rules, then it is required by 47 C.F.R. § 73.1660 (b) to file FCC Form 301 or 340.

Footnote 2: Construction permit BPED-931217MB expires on January 26, 1997. If testing of the Harris transmitter is not complete and/or a formal type notification request is not on file prior to this date, an application for extension of time to construct, FCC Form 307, must be filed.