SpectrumWiki

Radio spectrum allocations

Look up a frequency or a range.

Examples: 88.5 MHz, 1350–1430 MHz, 2.4 GHz

403 MHz (403,000,000 Hz)

U.S. Federal Government Allocations

403 – 406 MHz

METEOROLOGICAL AIDS (radiosonde) US70

G6 US64

ITU Region 1 Allocations

403 – 406 MHz

METEOROLOGICAL AIDS

Fixed

Mobile except aeronautical mobile

5.265

ITU Region 2 Allocations

403 – 406 MHz

METEOROLOGICAL AIDS

Fixed

Mobile except aeronautical mobile

5.265

ITU Region 3 Allocations

403 – 406 MHz

METEOROLOGICAL AIDS

Fixed

Mobile except aeronautical mobile

5.265

Footnotes

  • 5.265   In the frequency band 403-410 MHz, Resolution 205 (Rev.WRC 19) applies. (WRC 19)

  • G6   Military tactical fixed and mobile operations may be conducted nationally on a secondary basis: (a) To the meteorological aids service in the band 403-406 MHz; and (b) To the radio astronomy service in the band 406.1-410 MHz. Such fixed and mobile operations are subject to local coordination to ensure that harmful interference will not be caused to the services to which the bands are allocated.

  • US64   (a) In the band 401-406 MHz, the mobile, except aeronautical mobile, service is allocated on a secondary basis and is limited to, with the exception of military tactical mobile stations, Medical Device Radiocommunication Service (MedRadio) operations. MedRadio stations are authorized by rule on the condition that harmful interference is not caused to stations in the meteorological aids, meteorological-satellite, and Earth exploration-satellite services, and that MedRadio stations accept interference from stations in the meteorological aids, meteorological-satellite, and Earth exploration-satellite services.

        (b) The bands 413-419 MHz, 426-432 MHz, 438-444 MHz, and 451-457 MHz are also allocated on a secondary basis to the mobile, except aeronautical mobile, service. The use of this allocation is limited to MedRadio operations. MedRadio stations are authorized by rule and operate in accordance with 47 CFR part 95.

  • US70   The meteorological aids service allocation in the band 400.15-406.0 MHz does not preclude the operation therein of associated ground transmitters.

Wiki entries

Radiosondes

Current Use
400.15–406 MHz Radiosondes
According to the U.S. National Weather Service:

In order to understand the dynamic processes that result in the weather we experience, we need to know what is happening through the entire atmosphere. These observations are primarily taken with the aid of radiosondes.

The radiosonde is a small instrument package that is suspended below balloon filled with either hydrogen or helium. As the radiosonde is carried aloft, it measures pressure, temperature, and relative humidity.

These sensors are linked to a battery-powered radio transmitter that sends the information to a ground receiver. By tracking the position of the radiosonde in flight via GPS (Global Positioning System), measurements of wind speed and direction aloft is also obtained.

Worldwide, most radiosonde observations are taken daily at 00Z and 12Z (6 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST). With worldwide coordination of these upper air observations, we can obtain a picture of the various pressure and wind patterns across the globe.

Radiosonde observations technically provide only pressure, temperature, and relative humidity data; the tracked position of a radiosonde is actually called a rawinsonde observation and is used to obtain wind speed and direction. However, meteorologists and other data users frequently refer to them as part of the radiosonde observation.

The radiosonde flight can last in excess of two hours, and during this time the radiosonde can ascend to over 115,000 feet (35,000 m) and drift more than 125 miles (200 km) from the release point. During the flight, the radiosonde is exposed to temperatures as cold as -130°F (-92°C) and air pressures of only a few hundredths of what is found on the Earth's surface.

When the balloon has expanded beyond its elastic limit (20-25 feet in diameter) and bursts, the radiosonde returns to Earth via a small parachute. This slows its descent, minimizing the danger to life and property.

If found, radiosondes are safe to handle, as long as the balloon is deflated. Cut the string to the balloon/parachute and place them in a trash receptacle. You may also dispose of the radiosonde itself or keep it.

Worldwide, there are about 1,300 upper-air stations. Observations are made by the NWS at 92 stations: 69 in the conterminous United States, 13 in Alaska, nine in the Pacific, and one in Puerto Rico.

NWS supports the operation of 10 other stations in the Caribbean. Through international agreements, data are exchanged between countries worldwide.