Ron J wrote:
So I was doing some reading and one article mentioned that a group
mounted an FM transmitter on a hot air balloon. I was also researching
on the methods used by the FCC to measured field strengths. So how does
one go about measuring field strength levels if a company somewhere,
somehow, sometime decides to mount their transmitter on a hot air
balloon to avoid building a tower?

Because the communications are likely to be line of sight, you could use
inverse square law equations to predict the signal strength.

Would the FCC procedures still be valid? I wondering how the field
strength tester would go mobile 30 meters from the radial or
measurement point if the transmitter is changing position constantly.

FCC test procedures? How about FAA procedures? Keep in mind that with
balloon launches such as this group does, there are notices issued
warning aviators and air traffic controllers about it's existence. If
you poke something any higher than 700 or 1200 feet in the air
(depending where you are), you're in controlled airspace. You must
notify the local flight service station and provide position information
IN ADVANCE.


Jake Brodsky, AB3A
PP-ASEL-IA, Cessna Cardinal N30946 based KFME