Transcript Amateur Radio Licensure Week 2: Rules and Regulations

Amateur Radio Licensure
Week 2: Rules and Regulations
Seth Price, N3MRA
Rev. 1/27/16
Rules, Regulations and Such
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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
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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