Chapter 8

1. Chapter 8 Operating Regulations

2. Chapter 8 Operating Regulations • Today’s agenda • Control operators • Guest operating and privileges • Identification on the air • Tactical Call Signs • Rules about interference • Third-party communications

3. Chapter 8 Operating Regulations • Today’s agenda (Continued) • Remote and automatic control • Prohibited communications • Broadcasting

4. Chapter 8 Control Operators All transmissions from an amateur radio station must be made under the control of a properly licensed operator who is responsible for making sure that all FCC rules are followed. That operator is the station’s control operator. There can only be one control operator for a station at a time. The control operator is responsible for station operation, no matter who is actually speaking in the microphone, sending Morse code or using a keyboard to send digital signals.

5. Chapter 8 Control Operators A control operator is the amateur designated to be responsible for making sure that all transmissions from the station comply with FCC rules. The control operator does not have to be the station licensee and doesn’t have to be physically present at the transmitter in some cases. The control operator is responsible for all amateur transmissions from the from the station. The station licensee is responsible for designating the control operator.

6. Chapter 8 Control Operators • A control operator must be: • Named in the FCC amateur license database or • Be an alien (a citizen of another country - not E.T.) • with reciprocal operating authorization. • Any licensed amateur can be a control operator • [within the limits of the privileges of their current license]

7. Chapter 8 Control Operators The control point is where the control function is performed. Usually, the control point is at the transmitter and the control operator manipulates the controls of the transmitter. The control point can be remotely located and connected by phone lines, the Internet or a radio link.

8. Chapter 8 Control Operators Privileges & Guest Operating As the control operator, you may operate the station in any way permitted by the privileges of your license. It doesn’t matter what the station owner’s privileges are, only the privileges of the control operator. Being a guest operator is very common – you may allow another amateur to use your station or you may be the guest. In either case you need to understand what sets the control operator’s privileges.

9. Chapter 8 Control Operators Privileges & Guest Operating Joe (KA2JUQ) has a Technician class license and visit’s Mary (WN4FUI) who has an Amateur extra license. If Mary is the control operator, Joe can operate Mary’s station using Mary’s call sign on any amateur frequency using all of Mary’s license privileges. Mary must be present to perform the control operator responsibilities while Joe is operating her station.

10. Chapter 8 Control Operators Privileges & Guest Operating If Mary has to go to the store, she can tell Joe that he can be the control operator of her station. As the control operator of Mary’s station Joe may operate her station only within the limits of his Technician class license privileges. If Mary does not tell Joe that he can be the control operator, Joe may not legally operate Mary’s station.

11. Chapter 8 Control Operators Privileges & Guest Operating Mary (WN4FUI) who has an Amateur Extra class license visit’s Joe (KA2JUQ) who has a Technician class license. If Joe “lends” Mary his station (Mary is not the control operator), Mary can operate Joe’s station using all of her Amateur Extra class license privileges. In this case there are some unique identification rules that apply.

12. Chapter 8 Control Operators Privileges & Guest Operating • Because Mary (WN4FUI) has the higher class license and is “borrowing” a lower class licensee’s station (KA2JUQ), she must identify herself in the following manner when using her unique license privileges (e.g., those privileges not available to Joe because he has a Technician class license): • Phone: This is KA2JUQ stroke WN4FUI • CW/Digital: DE KA2JUQ/WN4FUI • When operating Joe’s station using VHF or UHF • Mary only has to identify using Joe’s call sign.

13. Chapter 8 Control Operators Privileges & Guest Operating Regardless of license class, BOTH the guest operator and station owner are responsible for proper operation of the station. The control operator is responsible for the station’s transmissions and the station owner is responsible for limiting access to the station to responsible licensees. The FCC will presume the station licensee to be the control operator unless there is a written record of who is the control operator.

14. Chapter 8 Control Operators Unlicensed “Operators” There is nothing wrong with an unlicensed person operating an amateur radio station as long as a control operator is present when any transmissions are made. Unlicensed persons may operate an amateur radio station only within the limits of the license privileges granted to the control operator. The control operator must always be present and ensuring that all FCC rules are obeyed.

15. Chapter 8 Identification Normal Identification Every time you say or send your call sign over the air, you are identifying your station. Unidentified transmissions are not allowed, no matter how brief. Unidentified means that no call sign was associated with a transmission. If you need to make a test transmission to check your antenna, radio, etc., just speaking your call sign is all that is needed.

16. Chapter 8 Identification Normal Identification • Keying your transmitter to check if your signal is reaching the repeater is called “kerchunking” because of the sound the repeater makes. If you don’t give your call sign you’ve sent an unidentified transmission. Just say your call sign and you’ll be legal. • You must give your call sign at least once every 10 minutes during a contact (including test transmissions) and when the contact is ended. • Not required at the beginning • Not required to say the other station’s call sign but it’s considered to be “good practice”

17. Chapter 8 Identification Normal Identification • A “LID” is a derogatory term to describe an amateur radio operator who is inept at the practice of the practice/art in the amateur radio service. • You might be considered to be a “LID” if you say: • “This is KA2JUQ for ID” {giving your call is all that’s necessary} or • “This is KA2JUQ on the 105 machine” {You don’t need to tell me you’re on the 105 machine because if I can hear you I already know you’re on the 105 machine. If I can’t hear you, what difference does it make?}

18. Chapter 8 Identification Normal Identification You can identify your station by Morse code, by voice, or in an image. Video and digital call signs must be sent via a standard protocol or format. You may talk to anyone via amateur radio using a foreign language. However you must identify your station in English. The FCC recommends the use of phonetics when you identify by voice which avoid confusing letters that sound alike. You may also identify by CW (Morse code) even if using voice.

19. Chapter 8 Identification Normal Identification

20. Chapter 8 Identification Tactical Call Signs Tactical call signs are used to help identify where a station is and what it is doing. Water Stop Three (KA2JUQ) this is Net Control(WN4FUI) Shelter Three (KA2JUQ) this is EOC(WN4FUI) Tactical calls can be used any time but are usually used druing emergency and public service operations.

21. Chapter 8 Identification Tactical Call Signs • Tactical call signs don’t actually replace your call sign because the regular identification rules apply • Every 10 minutes and • At the end of the contact • Water Stop Three this is Net Control. The ambulance will arrive in five minutes. KB3ATI • This is Water Stop Three. QSL Net Control. AA3RR

22. Chapter 8 Identification Tactical Call Signs In the previous example “Water Stop Three” and “Net Control” are Tactical Call Signs. KB3ATI and AA3RR are the actual call signs of the operators who are currently operating the “Water Stop Three” and “Net Control” stations.

23. Chapter 8 Identification Self-Assigned Indicators • FCC Part 97.119(c) states: • One or more indicators may be included with the call sign. Each indicator must be separated from the call sign by the slant bar (/) or by any suitable word that denotes the slant bar. If an indicator is self-assigned, it must be included before, after, or both before and after, the call sign. • If AA3RR from Maryland is operating in Ohio, • he would indicate that by saying: • “AA3RR portable (or mobile) in Ohio.

24. Chapter 8 Identification Self-Assigned Indicators • If using Morse or Digital modes it would look like this: • If AA3RR from Maryland is operating in Ohio, • he would indicate that by saying: • “AA3RR/OH = Portable in Ohio • AA3RR/Mob/OH = Mobile in Ohio

25. Chapter 8 Identification Self-Assigned Indicators • FCC Part 97.119(c) also states: • No self-assigned indicator may conflict with any other indicator specified by the FCC Rules or with any prefix assigned to another country. • AA3RR/M The “M” is incorrectly used on CW or Digital to indicate AA3RR is operating as a mobile station. In fact, using “M” would indicate AA3RR was portable in England because “M” is an allocated prefix for England.

26. Chapter 8 Identification Self-Assigned Indicators • FCC Part 97.119(c) also states: • No self-assigned indicator may conflict with any other indicator specified by the FCC Rules or with any prefix assigned to another country. • W3VPR/R The “R” is incorrectly used on CW or Digital to indicate W3VPR is a repeater station. In fact, using “R” would indicate W3VPR was portable in Russia because RAA - RZZ is allocated to the Russian Federation. • So why don’t we follow the rules?

27. Chapter 8 Identification Self-Assigned Indicators • FCC Part 97.119(f) states that when the control operator who is using his/her new privileges as the result of a successful upgrade and that upgrade does not yet appear in the FCC data base, an indicator must be included after the call sign as follows: • Upgrade from Novice to Technician Class: KT • Upgrade from Novice, Technician to General Class: AG • Upgrade from Novice, Technician, General, or Advanced Class operator to Amateur Extra Class: AE

28. Chapter 8 Identification Self-Assigned Indicators • When using voice you would say: • WN4FUI temporary (or interim) KT or AG or AE • It’s recommended that you use phonetics to identify the indicator (Kilo Tango, Alpha Golf or Alpha Echo) • When using Morse or Digital you would send: • WN4FUI/KT • WN4FUI/AG • WN4FUI/AE

29. Chapter 8 Identification Miscellaneous Identification Rules • There are two exceptions to the identification rules: • Remote Control Signals • Signals retransmitted through “space stations”

30. Chapter 8 Identification Miscellaneous Identification Rules • Remote Control Signals • Controlling a model craft (e.g., airplane, boat, etc) • You don’t send your call sign • Signals very weak and don’t travel far • Call sign not much use • Put your call sign, name and address on the transmitter.

31. Chapter 8 Identification Miscellaneous Identification Rules • Signals retransmitted through “space stations” • Space stations are amateur stations located more than 50 km above the Earth’s surface. • Amateur Satellites • International Space Station • Space Shuttle

32. Chapter 8 Identification Miscellaneous Identification Rules • Space stations do not have to identify themselves • The International Space Station has two Amateur radio stations on board: • NA1SS - USA • RU0SS – Russian Federation

33. Chapter 8 Identification Test Transmissions • The rules governing identification apply to test transmissions as well. • Once every 10 minutes • At the end of the testing • Kept brief to avoid interfering with other stations • Using voice - “KA2JUQ testing” • Using Morse or CW – “KA2JUQ VVV VVV”

34. Chapter 8 Identification Automatic Identification • Stations under automatic control must also identify themselves. • Repeaters most common example • Repeaters identify themselves in several ways • Voice • Morse (20 WPM or slower) • Image using standard video signal format

35. Chapter 8 Identification Special Event Stations • When operating with a “Special Event Call Sign” (1 x 1 format) • Both the special event call sign and the usual call sign of the amateur or club who requested the special event call sign must be given on-the-air. • Special Event Call Sign – Every 10 minutes and at the end of a communication. • Call of club or amateur who applied for the special event call sign – Once an hour.

36. Chapter 8 Interference

37. Chapter 8 Interference Interference is caused by “noise” and by “signals”. Noise interference is caused by natural sources such as thunderstorms (QRN = “natural”) or unintentional signals radiated by appliances, industrial equipment, or computing equipment. Interference from nearby amateur signals (QRM = “man made”)

38. Chapter 8 Interference • Most interference is manageable. • Hams have learned various way of dealing with QRM including the following: • Common sense and courtesy • Use of good filters to reject interference • Remember that no one owns a frequency • Be aware of other activities such as “special events”, “Dxpeditions”, and “contests” (there are lots of these).

39. Chapter 8 Interference • Interference is caused by “noise” and by “signals”. • Noise interference is caused by natural sources such as thunderstorms (QRN = “natural”) or unintentional signals radiated by appliances, industrial equipment, or computing equipment. • Interference from nearby amateur signals (QRM = “man made”) is a price we pay for getting more people into the hobby. More people operating on the bands will result in more interference from amateur signals. • More hams or less signals?

40. Chapter 8 Interference Harmful Interference Harmful interference is defined as a transmission that seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts the communications of a regulated service. Every ham should make sure to transmit and receive in a way that minimizes the possibility of causing harmful interference. If you receive reports of interference from you such as transmitting off-frequency or generating spurious signals (“splatter”, harmonics, etc.) check your equipment.

41. Chapter 8 Interference Harmful Interference When testing equipment, use a “Dummy Load” and keep your transmissions short. Be flexible! If you cause interference, apologize, identify and take the necessary steps to reduce interference --- change freq, reduce power, and/or change the direction of your antenna if possible.

42. Chapter 8 Interference Willful Interference If you intentionally create harmful interference, that is called willful interference and willful interference is never allowed. No matter how you do it (e.g., intentionally over-modulating, transmitting spurious signals, transmitting music, belching, etc.) intentionally interfering or obstructing radio communications is against the law.

43. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications This concept is often misunderstood even among the “old timers” in our hobby. Amateur radio is often used to send messages (Written and oral) on behalf of unlicensed persons or organizations. This is one of the oldest activities in ham radio. We relay messages from station to station until they are delivered by a ham near the addressee. This is third-party communications.

44. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications Because third-party communications bypass the normal telephone and postal services, many foreign governments want to control it for several reasons. The FCC doesn’t want the Amateur Radio Service to become a non-commercial messaging system. Naturally, we have some rules that address third-party communications. We also need to be clear on what is and is not third-party communications. It’s not rocket science.

45. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications Definitions & Rules • The person or organization on whose behalf a message is sent is the “third party” • A licensed amateur capable of being a control operator at either station is not considered a “third party”. • Just because you can be the control operator on 2-meters does not exclude you from being a “third party”.

46. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications Definitions & Rules • The “third party” does not have to be present at either station. • A message can be taken to a ham station or • A ham can transmit speech from a third party’s telephone call over the ham radio - “Phone Patch”. • Over.

47. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications Definitions & Rules • The communications transmitted on behalf of the “third-party” are not limited to written text. • Spoken words • Data • Images • An organization such as a church or a school can be a “third-party”.

48. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications Definitions & Rules • The “third party” may participate in transmitting or receiving the message at either station. • An unlicensed person sends third-party communications when they speak into the microphone, send Morse code or type on a keyboard (Digital).

49. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications Definitions & Rules • The “third party” may participate in transmitting or receiving the message at either station. • An licensed amateur sends third-party communications when they speak into the microphone, send Morse code or type on a keyboard (Digital) on a frequency beyond their current license privileges. For example: • A Novice operating on 2m • A Tech operating on 20m • A General operating on the Extra portion of 80m Phone • If you can’t be the control operator on the frequency in use you are a “third party”.

50. Chapter 8 Third-Party Communications Definitions & Rules Third-party communications may be exchanged between any stations operating under FCC rules with the constraint that the communications must be noncommercial and of a personal nature. When radio signals cross borders, the rules change. International third-party communications are restricted to those 50 countries/entities that specifically allow third-party communications with U.S. hams.