Technician License CourseChapter 7 Lesson Module17:Licensing Regulations: International Rules & Call Signs

Amateur Radio - InternationallyInternational Telecommunication Union (ITU). Divides globe into Regions 1, 2 and 3.Part of the U.N. Communications & Information Agency.CONUS (Continental US) hams are in Region 2.

ITU Regions

International RegulationsThere are times when there are restrictions on certain countries that we can contact.Any country can request that there be no contacts.International contacts must be limited to communications incidental to the purposes of the amateur service and remarks of a personal character.FCC has jurisdiction over US hams aboard US vessels or craft in international waters or airspace.

International RegulationsReciprocal operating authorizations.Allow amateurs from other countries to operate in the US, and allow US amateurs to operate abroad.Most countries require foreign hams to register and obtain a foreign license/callsign.Some countries recognize your US License and allow you to use your US callsign.Check before you travel, for requirements.

Call SignsAll US call signs begin with: K, N, W, or A.US call sign districts: 0-9You may keep your call when you move.

Call SignsCall Sign Formats:Letter(s)/number/letter(s)1x1 - K6P (Special Event)1x2 - N0PS1X3 - W8QZA2x1 -KG4D2x2 - AA9BF2x3 - WD2UNP

Call SignsPortable operating away from primary station location.If in the different call sign district add:portable 6 if voice./6 if Morse code or digital.Not required, just nice to do.If recent upgrade add AG or AE.

Special Call SignsClub and special event call signs.A club (4 or more hams) may have a call sign. There needs to be a trustee to hold the license.Special events can apply for a temporary 1x1 callsign. ie: K6PVanity call signs.For a fee, you can apply for a customized call sign

What is the ITU? (T1B01)

A. An agency of the United States Department of Telecommunications ManagementB. A United Nations agency for information and communications technology issuesC. An independent frequency coordination agencyD. A department of the FCC

What is the ITU? (T1B01)

A. An agency of the United States Department of Telecommunications ManagementB. A United Nations agency for information and communications technology issuesC. An independent frequency coordination agencyD. A department of the FCC

North American amateur stations are located in which ITU region? (T1B02)

A. Region 1B. Region 2C. Region 3D. Region 4

North American amateur stations are located in which ITU region? (T1B02)

A. Region 1B. Region 2C. Region 3D. Region 4

What types of international communications are permitted by an FCC-licensed amateur station? (T1C03)

A. Communications incidental to the purposes of the amateur service and remarks of a personal characterB. Communications incidental to conducting business or remarks of a personal natureC. Only communications incidental to contest exchanges, all other communications are prohibitedD. Any communications that would be permitted on an international broadcast station

What types of international communications are permitted by an FCC-licensed amateur station? (T1C03)

A. Communications incidental to the purposes of the amateur service and remarks of a personal characterB. Communications incidental to conducting business or remarks of a personal natureC. Only communications incidental to contest exchanges, all other communications are prohibitedD. Any communications that would be permitted on an international broadcast station

When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign country? (T1C04)

A. When the foreign county authorizes itB. When there is a mutual agreement allowing third party communicationsC. When authorization permits amateur communications in a foreign languageD. When you are communicating with non-licensed individuals in another country

When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign country? (T1C04)

A. When the foreign county authorizes itB. When there is a mutual agreement allowing third party communicationsC. When authorization permits amateur communications in a foreign languageD. When you are communicating with non-licensed individuals in another country

From which of the following may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit, in addition to places where the FCC regulates communications? (T1C06)

A. From within any country that belongs to the International Telecommunications UnionB. From within any country that is a member of the United NationsC. From anywhere within ITU Regions 2 and 3D. From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States

From which of the following may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit, in addition to places where the FCC regulates communications? (T1C06)

A. From within any country that belongs to the International Telecommunications UnionB. From within any country that is a member of the United NationsC. From anywhere within ITU Regions 2 and 3D. From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States

With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur stations prohibited from exchanging communications? (T1D01)

A. Any country whose administration has notified the ITU that it objects to such communicationsB. Any country whose administration has notified the United Nations that it objects to such communicationsC. Any country engaged in hostilities with another countryD. Any country in violation of the War Powers Act of 1934

With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur stations prohibited from exchanging communications? (T1D01)

A. Any country whose administration has notified the ITU that it objects to such communicationsB. Any country whose administration has notified the United Nations that it objects to such communicationsC. Any country engaged in hostilities with another countryD. Any country in violation of the War Powers Act of 1934

Which type of call sign has a single letter in both the prefix and suffix? (T1C01)

A. VanityB. SequentialC. Special eventD. In-memoriam

Which type of call sign has a single letter in both the prefix and suffix? (T1C01)

A. VanityB. SequentialC. Special eventD. In-memoriam

Which of the following is a valid US amateur radio station call sign? (T1C02)

A. KMA3505B. W3ABCC. KDKAD. 11Q1176

Which of the following is a valid US amateur radio station call sign? (T1C02)

A. KMA3505B. W3ABCC. KDKAD. 11Q1176

How many persons are required to be members of a club for a club station license to be issued by the FCC? (T1F12)

A. At least 5B. At least 4C. A trustee and 2 officersD. At least 2

How many persons are required to be members of a club for a club station license to be issued by the FCC? (T1F12)

A. At least 5B. At least 4C. A trustee and 2 officersD. At least 2

For what purpose is a temporary 1 by 1 format (letter-number-letter) call sign assigned? (T8C06)

A. To designate an experimental stationB. To honor a deceased relative who was a radio amateurC. For operations in conjunction with an activity of special significance to the amateur communityD. All of these choices are correct

For what purpose is a temporary 1 by 1 format (letter-number-letter) call sign assigned? (T8C06)

A. To designate an experimental stationB. To honor a deceased relative who was a radio amateurC. For operations in conjunction with an activity of special significance to the amateur communityD. All of these choices are correct

**Briefly discuss the purpose of the ITU and how the FCC fits into the big picture. There are some differences in frequency authorizations and permitted modes based on ITU rules and regions. If the students are going to operate in a different region, it is important that they review the rules for that region. Also discuss with the students that this is why they may hear voice operations where the US is only authorized CW or data operations. Watch the dial! Especially when attempting to contact an English speaking ham, they may be from country that is authorized voice privileges where the US ham is restricted to code or data.

*Pass out a US map with the call sign districts. Discuss the structure of US call signs and what the students can expect for their first call signs. Have on hand some QSL cards. Use them to illustrate different US call signs. Also discuss the call sign structure for different countries and stress that the beginning character can be used generally to determine the country of the station being contacted.

*Pass out a US map with the call sign districts. Discuss the structure of US call signs and what the students can expect for their first call signs. Have on hand some QSL cards. Use them to illustrate different US call signs. Also discuss the call sign structure for different countries and stress that the beginning character can be used generally to determine the country of the station being contacted.

*Here you can discuss some of the things that students may hear when operations are portable. Though not used as much any more, they might come across portable call sign designators sometime. Point out that when they upgrade, the new privileges are authorized immediately, they just need to add the AG or AE if they are going to use the new authorized privileges before the upgrade is posted in the FCC database.

*Discuss with the students briefly how they might obtain a call sign for a ham club. Also talk about the special event call signs and how they are obtained. Finally you can cover how the licensee can request a specific, un-issued, call sign. Just point out that a fee is required to obtain and maintain the vanity call sign.

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