Amateur Radio LicensureWeek 2: Rules and Regulations

Seth Price, N3MRARev. 1/27/16

Rules, Regulations and Such

• More Amateur Radio Notes• Who is in charge?• Call Signs and Identification• Interference• Broadcasting• Misc. Rules• Licensing Notes• Station Definitions

More About Amateur Radio

• Amateur Station:– A station that has the equipment to carry out amateur

radio communication

• International Communication:– “…remarks of a personal character”

• Operating “DX”– As long as the host country allows it

Who Is In Charge?• Many radio signals and little spectrum– How do we manage this??

• International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

• Federal Communication Commission (FCC)– Part 97 deals with amateur radio– Amateur Radio rules “enhance international goodwill”

• Frequency Coordinator– Recommends frequencies (transmit and receive) for

repeaters, auxiliary stations, etc.– Selected by amateur radio operators

ITU

• World is divided into four regions– US territories sometimes have different operating frequencies

based on this– Maritime Mobile (ships) must operate according to ITU region

• Each region sets its own rules, but then all regions convene and discuss

• If a country does not want to allow communications, it must notify the ITU

ITU Regions

http://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/maps/regions.gif

Call Signs• Call signs are unique, issued by FCC

• Must identify with a call sign every 10 minutes and at the end of communications– Exception: Sending control commands to model craft

• US call signs start with A, K, N, or W– KA1AAA (2x3)– K1AAA (1X3)– K1AA (1X2)– KA1A (2x1)– KA1AA (2x2)– K1A (1x1, special events only)

Section Map

• http://w5dxs.tripod.com/call_map.bmp

Vanity Call Signs

• Can choose one of these, if you want– Must already be licensed – Must be available– Must be a valid US call sign– Technician Class are limited to: 1x3 or 2x3

Broadcasting

• Broadcasting is prohibited:– One way transmission for reception by the general

public

• Notable Exceptions:– Emergencies– Calling “CQ”– Code Practice, Information Bulletins

Interference

• Harmful Interference is not permitted: – That which seriously degrades, obstructs or

repeatedly interrupts radio communication– Interference with radionavigation devices are

strictly prohibited

• Radio Frequency Interference (RFI):– Will discuss in a future lecture

Misc. Rules

• Cannot communicate with military stations– Exception: during “Armed Forces Day Communications Test”

• Cannot use codes to “obscure meaning”– Exception: sending control commands to space craft or

radio control craft

• Cannot conduct sales:– Exception: Can notify other amateur radio operators of

equipment for sale; occasionally

Misc. Rules

• Cannot transmit music– Exception: incidental to manned spacecraft

communications

• Cannot use indecent or obscene language– No list of what is indecent or obscene

Licensing Process

• Multiple Choice– Technician Class: 35 Questions (26 correct)– General Class: 35 Questions (26 correct)– Amateur Extra Class: 50 Questions (37 correct)

• Checked by 3 Volunteer Examiners (VE)– You will know results the same day– Cannot tell how many were correct

Licensing Notes

• You may begin operating as soon as your license is in the FCC database

• License is good for 10 years

• Send a paper form to renew

• If 10 years runs out, there is a 2 year “grace” period– Cannot operate, but can renew– Can keep your call sign