Amateur Radio Licensure Week 2: FCC Rules and Regulations Seth Price, N3MRA New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology February 7, 2016

Review of Amateur Radio FCC states the purpose of Amateur Radio: –Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of radio art –Enhancing international good will –Operated with good engineering and amateur practice

Review of Amateur Radio Emergency communication –Important, time value traffic Hobbies, radio experimentation –Increased probability for interference Non-commercial –Our services are not for sale Worldwide communication –We are ambassadors to other nations

Some Basic Rules Emergency communication: –Never interfere with emergency communications Hobbies: –Use as little power as you can –Codes are not allowed (except for remote control commands) Worldwide communication: –Do not use indecent or obscene language –Follow orders regarding restricted use

A Few More Rules Interference: Discussed in a future lecture Military –Do not communicate with military stations unless it is “Armed Forces Communications Day Test”

Non-Commercial Purposes Do not play music (manned spacecraft exempt) Do not “broadcast” (messages for general public) Do not sell your radio services –Can sell occasional radio equipment –Can continue to be paid as a teacher when using radio in a classroom

Control Operator Person responsible for the conduct and operation of a radio station –There must always be a control operator Appointed by the station licensee –Normally, the licensee, but not always: both responsible for operation –License of control operator determines privileges Control Point: where station is operated

More Definitions Local Control: Operator is physically present at the control point Remote Operation: Control point is located away from the transmitter, but a control operator is located at the control point. –Transmitter and control point linked by internet, phone line, radio, etc. Automatic Operation: Station is operated completely automatically –Repeaters, beacons, space stations, etc.

Call Signs Call Sign: Your identity as far as the FCC is concerned. You must identify with your call sign: –In English, by CW or Phone (Phonetics encouraged) –At least one every ten minutes, and at the end of each transmission Tactical Call Sign: Used to identify where or what a station is doing –Typically reserved for public service operation –FCC call sign must be given every 10 minutes

Call Sign Identification If you upgraded your license recently, waiting for FCC: –/KT, /AG, /AE If you are using someone else’s station: –You must identify with their call sign –If your license class is higher than theirs, you must also identify with your call sign ex. N3MRA/AJ5B Can add (but not required): –/M for mobile, /MM for maritime mobile (boats) –/KL7 (Alaska), /KH6 (Hawaii), /W# for out of area in US

Regulation and Enforcement ITU: International Telecommunications Union Worldwide frequency allocation, assigned by ITU region Countries can cease communication by notifying ITU FCC: Out-of-band transmissions Deliberate interference Emergency communications Broadcasting and music Commercial interests Codes Part 97

Self-Regulation Frequency occupation –No station “owns” a frequency, and no station can kick another station out! –“Gentlemen’s agreements” Amateur Auxiliary –Amateur volunteers who are formally enlisted to monitor the airwaves for rules violations –Objective: To encourage amateur self-regulation and compliance with the rules

Emergency Communications All other rules are secondary in an emergency –“HELP!!!” is broadcasting –Anyone can report an emergency if no other option is available –Use any mode, band, etc. available! There are separate courses from the ARRL on emergency communications –Offer next year??

Emergency Communications Emergency traffic ALWAYS has priority –Emergency is defined as where life and property are at stake! –Never transmit confidential information over the radio Should someone interrupt (break) into your conversation with emergency traffic, take the call!! Declaration of Communications Emergency –Issued by the FCC, or President’s War Emergency Powers invoked –Contains a list of restrictions or special circumstances for operation

Emergency Communication Groups Amateur Radio Emergency Services ARES Natural disasters Support non- government agencies Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services RACES Civil defense emergencies

RACES During a disaster –The FCC can seize a amateur station for the duration of the emergency Operation –Only official emergency stations may transmit during a disaster –Must register with local civil defense organization

ARES Must be a licensed amateur radio operator Typically support agencies like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and National Weather Service We have ARES in Socorro County, cooperates with LEPC

Additional Responsibilities Unauthorized Operation –You are responsible for your station! –Disconnect power cords and microphone when not in use Personal Information –You must maintain a valid mailing address with the FCC Station Inspection –Can be inspected by a US government official or FCC representative

Out-of-Band Transmissions Out-of-Band –Deliberate of band transmission is deliberate interference!!!!! Inappropriate Mode or Power –Using SSB in the CW portion of the band –Using more than 200W on 30m Band edges –Your signal has a bandwidth –SSB: 3kHz. If you are operating upper sideband on MHz, you are transmitting everywhere from MHz to MHz!!!

Third Party Communications Sending and receiving messages on behalf of an unlicensed party –Third party cannot have had their license revoked –Personal character, or emergency/relief operations Internationally, the US MUST have a third party agreement in place for you to pass third party traffic.

Other Miscellaneous Rules Antenna regulations: –The FAA must be notified of any antenna over 200ft high –There is a maximum allowable height near airports Primary/Secondary Use: –Amateurs have secondary use privileges on 30m and 60m, meaning other services have the “right of way” Boats/Planes: –Must use your own radio and have permission from the pilot/captain (not likely on commercial airline)

Special Radio Stations Club station (4 member minimum): –Anyone can use station when licensed operator is present –Must have a station trustee –Licensed through Club Station Call Sign Administrator Beacon station: –Used to check propagation (10 meters) –Repeatedly send call sign /B –Limited to 100W output power

Tech Amateur Radio Association Call Sign: KC5ORO Station Trustee: Dr. Dave Johnson, KB5YIW Equipment: –HF: Icom 730 Transceiver to a multiband Dipole (10-80M), MFJ-949E antenna tuner –VHF/UHF: Icom 208H Transceiver (2m/70cm) to a J-Pole

Keeping a Log No longer required by FCC –In the old days, operators had to log every time they transmitted! Useful document for proving when you were transmitting, should the FCC ask –Must log date, time, band, and call sign contacted

Ham Speak: Signal Reports On Repeaters: Signal reports are given as % copy (ex: 80% copy) –Your report is more a reflection of the repeater, not the transmitting station! On HF: RST (Readability, Signal, Tone) –The best report in CW: 599 (also 5NN) –The best report in SSB: 59 –The worst acceptable report is a 22

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References lrg.jpg The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 2006 The ARRL Instructor’s Manual for Technician and General License Courses, 4 th Ed., 2007.