Purpose and permissible use of the Amateur Radio Service, operator/primary station license grant; basic terms used in FCC rules; interference; RACES rules; phonetics; Frequency Coordinator
The Amateur Radio Service is a service administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC establishes the rules and regulations which govern the service.
QUESTION: Which agency regulates and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States? (T1A02)
ANSWER: The FCC
Part 97 is the part of the radio regulations that govern the Amateur Radio Service. Part 97.1 lists five “purposes” for the existence of amateur radio. The first is recognition of its usefulness in providing emergency and public-service communications. Another is the use of amateur radio as a way to help people become better technicians and operators.
QUESTION: Which of the following is a purpose of the Amateur Radio Service as stated in the FCC rules and regulations? (T1A01)
ANSWER: Advancing skills in the technical and communication phases of the radio art
Part 97 defines terms and concepts that every amateur radio operator needs to know.
QUESTION: What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a beacon? (T1A06)
ANSWER: An amateur station transmitting communications for the purposes of observing propagation or related experimental activities
QUESTION: What is the FCC Part 97 definition of a space station? (T1A07)
ANSWER: An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth’s surface
One of the most important concepts in Part 97 is that of harmful interference. Part 97 defines harmful interference as “interference which endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations.”
QUESTION: When is willful interference to other amateur radio stations permitted? (T1A11)
ANSWER: At no time
Part 97 also contains rules about how repeater frequencies are assigned.
QUESTION: Which of the following entities recommends transmit/receive channels and other parameters for auxiliary and repeater stations? (T1A08)
ANSWER: Volunteer Frequency Coordinator recognized by local amateurs
QUESTION: Who selects a Frequency Coordinator? (T1A09)
ANSWER: Amateur operators in a local or regional area whose stations are eligible to be repeater or auxiliary stations
Authorized frequencies: frequency allocations; ITU; emission modes; restricted sub-bands; spectrum sharing; transmissions near band edges; contacting the International Space Station; power output
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is the body responsible for setting international telecommunications rules and regulations. This includes amateur radio.
QUESTION: What is the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)? (T1B01)
ANSWER: A United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues
Because operation outside of the amateur radio bands is a serious offense, it is important to know about the frequencies that amateur radio operators can use, as well as the modes you can use on those frequencies.
QUESTION: Which frequency is within the 6 meter amateur band? (T1B03)
ANSWER: 52.525 MHz
QUESTION: Which amateur band are you using when your station is transmitting on 146.52 MHz? (T1B04)
ANSWER: 2 meter band
QUESTION: Why should you not set your transmit frequency to be exactly at the edge of an amateur band or sub-band? (T1B09)
ANSWER: All of these choices are correct
– To allow for calibration error in the transmitter frequency display
– So that modulation sidebands do not extend beyond the band edge
– To allow for transmitter frequency drift
QUESTION: What is the limitation for emissions on the frequencies between 219 and 220 MHz? (T1B05)
ANSWER: Fixed digital message forwarding systems only
QUESTION: On which HF bands does a Technician class operator have phone privileges? (T1B06)
ANSWER: 10 meter band only
QUESTION: Which of the following HF bands have frequencies available to the Technician class operator for RTTY and data transmissions? (T1B10)
ANSWER: 10 meter band only
QUESTION: Which of the following VHF/UHF frequency ranges are limited to CW only? (T1B07)
ANSWER: 50.0 MHz to 50.1 MHz and 144.0 MHz to 144.1 MHz
Since Technician Class operators have full amateur privileges above 50 MHz, they can operate transmitters with an output power of up to 1,500 watts at frequencies in the VHF region and above. On the HF bands, however, transmitters operated by Technicians are restricted to an output power of 200 watts or less.
QUESTION: What is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators using their assigned portions of the HF bands? (T1B11)
ANSWER: 200 watts
QUESTION: Except for some specific restrictions, what is the maximum peak envelope power output for Technician class operators using frequencies above 30 MHz? (T1B12)
ANSWER: 1500 watts
Amateur radio operators share some bands with users from other services. Sometimes, amateurs are the primary users, such as in the 2m band, but sometimes amateur radio operators are secondary users.
QUESTION: Which of the following is a result of the fact that the Amateur Radio Service is secondary in all or portions of some amateur bands (such as portions of the 70 cm band)? (T1B08)
ANSWER: U.S. amateurs may find non-amateur stations in those portions, and must avoid interfering with them
Operator licensing: operator classes; sequential and vanity call sign systems; international communications; reciprocal operation; places where the Amateur Radio Service is regulated by the FCC; name and address on FCC license database; license term; renewal; grace period
As you might expect, licensing is a big deal in the Amateur Radio Service. Your class of license determines where you can operate, and in some cases, what modes you can operate and how much power you can use.
QUESTION: For which license classes are new licenses currently available from the FCC? (T1C01)
ANSWER: Technician, General, Amateur Extra
QUESTION: What is the normal term for an FCC-issued primary station/operator amateur radio license grant? (T1C08)
ANSWER: Ten years
QUESTION: How soon after passing the examination for your first amateur radio license may you operate a transmitter on an Amateur Radio Service frequency? (T1C10)
ANSWER: As soon as your operator/station license grant appears in the FCC’s license database
For some time now, the official amateur radio license authorization has been the electronic record that exists in the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS). Paper licenses are no longer issued as a matter of course, although you can log into the FCC website and print out a paper copy if you so choose.
QUESTION: What is proof of possession of an FCC-issued operator/primary license grant? (T1A05)
ANSWER: The control operator’s operator/primary station license must appear in the FCC ULS consolidated licensee database
After you pass the test, the FCC will assign you a call sign sequentially from the pool of available call signs. If you do not like this call sign, you can apply for a vanity call sign.
QUESTION: Who may select a desired call sign under the vanity call sign rules? (T1C02)
ANSWER: Any licensed amateur
The call sign you select must not only be available, it must have an appropriate format for the class of license you hold. For example, only Amateur Extra class licensees may hold 1×2 or 2×1 call signs. This means that a Technician class amateur radio operator may not choose the call signs KA1X, which is a 2×1 call sign, or W1XX, which is a 1×2 call sign.
QUESTION: Which of the following is a valid call sign for a Technician class amateur radio station? (T1C05)
ANSWER: K1XXX
If you don’t renew your license before it expires, or within the two-year grace period, you will have to take the test again to get a new amateur radio license.
QUESTION: What is the grace period following the expiration of an amateur license within which the license may be renewed? (T1C09)
ANSWER: Two years
QUESTION: If your license has expired and is still within the allowable grace period, may you continue to operate a transmitter on Amateur Radio Service frequencies? (T1C11)
ANSWER: No, transmitting is not allowed until the FCC license database shows that the license has been renewed
Clubs may apply for a station license for their club station. The club may even apply for a vanity call sign.
QUESTION: Which of the following is a requirement for the issuance of a club station license grant? (T1F11)
ANSWER: The club must have at least four members
When you get your first license, you must give the examiners a mailing address. Should you move, you must inform the FCC of your new mailing address.
QUESTION: What may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide and maintain a correct mailing address with the FCC? (T1C07)
ANSWER: Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license
Some countries have reciprocal licensing agreements with the U.S., and you can operate from that country without any specific authorization. For example, I could operate my station in Germany by simply using the call sign DL/KB6NU. There are restrictions on your operating privileges, depending on the country from which you plan to operate, and you should investigate these before you get on the air.
QUESTION: When are you allowed to operate your amateur station in a foreign country? (T1C04)
ANSWER: When the foreign country authorizes it
You can also operate your station while aboard a ship in international waters.
QUESTION: From which of the following locations may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit? (T1C06)
ANSWER: From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States
Authorized and prohibited transmission: communications with other countries; music; exchange of information with other services; indecent language; compensation for use of station; retransmission of other amateur signals; codes and ciphers; sale of equipment; unidentified transmissions; one-way transmission
As a licensed radio amateur, it’s important to know what you can and can’t do on the air. Indecent language is prohibited, and oddly enough, so is music, except for one specific situation.
QUESTION: What, if any, are the restrictions concerning transmission of language that may be considered obscene or indecent? (T1D06)
ANSWER: Any such language is prohibited
QUESTION: Under what conditions is an amateur station authorized to transmit music using a phone emission? (T1D04)
ANSWER: When incidental to an authorized retransmission of manned spacecraft communications
Transmitting any codes whose specifications are not published or well-known is prohibited, except in one specific circumstance.
QUESTION: When is it permissible to transmit messages encoded to hide their meaning? (T1D03)
ANSWER: Only when transmitting control commands to space stations or radio control craft
Amateur radio stations may only communicate with amateur stations in other countries when that country allows it.
QUESTION: With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur radio stations prohibited from exchanging communications? (T1D01)
ANSWER: Any country whose administration has notified the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that it objects to such communications
Currently, there are no countries that U.S. amateurs are prohibited from contacting.
Another big deal in amateur radio is the prohibition of being paid to operate an amateur radio station, except in some very special circumstances. That doesn’t mean that you can’t make money from amateur radio. I’m obviously making a few bucks by selling study guides, but I can’t be paid for operating my station or someone else’s station.
QUESTION: In which of the following circumstances may the control operator of an amateur station receive compensation for operating that station? (T1D08)
ANSWER: When the communication is incidental to classroom instruction at an educational institution
QUESTION: When may amateur radio operators use their stations to notify other amateurs of the availability of equipment for sale or trade? (T1D05)
ANSWER: When the equipment is normally used in an amateur station and such activity is not conducted on a regular basis
All amateur communications must be station to station. That is to say, amateur radio operators may not broadcast.
QUESTION: What is the meaning of the term broadcasting in the FCC rules for the Amateur Radio Service? (T1D10).
ANSWER: Transmissions intended for reception by the general public
QUESTION: Under which of the following circumstances are amateur stations authorized to transmit signals related to broadcasting, program production, or news gathering, assuming no other means is available? (T1D09)
ANSWER: Only where such communications directly relate to the immediate safety of human life or protection of property
As with many rules, however, there are exceptions.
QUESTION: Under which of the following circumstances may an amateur radio station make one-way transmissions? (T1D02)
ANSWER: When transmitting code practice, information bulletins, or transmissions necessary to provide emergency communications
So, what is allowed?
QUESTION: What types of international communications is an FCC-licensed amateur radio station permitted to make? (T1C03)
ANSWER: Communications incidental to the purposes of the Amateur Radio Service and remarks of a personal character
Control operator and control types: control operator required; eligibility; designation of control operator; privileges and duties; control point; local, automatic and remote control; location of control operator
An important concept in amateur radio is the control operator. The basic concept is that an amateur radio station must always have a control operator, and that control operator is responsible for the proper operation of that station. And, the default control operator is the station licensee.
QUESTION: When is an amateur station permitted to transmit without a control operator? (T1E01)
ANSWER: Never
QUESTION: Who does the FCC presume to be the control operator of an amateur station, unless documentation to the contrary is in the station records? (T1E11)
ANSWER: The station licensee
QUESTION: Who must designate the station control operator? (T1E03)
ANSWER: The station licensee
QUESTION: When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the station? (T1E07)
ANSWER: The control operator and the station licensee are equally responsible
QUESTION: Who is accountable should a repeater inadvertently retransmit communications that violate the FCC rules? (T1F10)
ANSWER: The control operator of the originating station
QUESTION: What determines the transmitting privileges of an amateur station? (T1E04)
ANSWER: The class of operator license held by the control operator
QUESTION: When, under normal circumstances, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station operating in an exclusive Amateur Extra class operator segment of the amateur bands? (T1E06)
ANSWER: At no time
QUESTION: Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station? (T1E02)
ANSWER: Any amateur whose license privileges allow them to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency
Two related concepts are the control point and control type. Part 97 defines three control types:
- Local control. A station is said to be locally controlled when the control operator can directly manipulate the operating of an amateur radio station.
- Remote control. A station is said to be remotely controlled when the control operator indirectly manipulates the operating controls of an amateur radio station through a control link, such as a radio link, a telephone link, or an internet link.
- Automatic control. A station is said to be automatically controlled if it uses devices and procedures for control without the control operator being present at the control point.
QUESTION: What is an amateur station control point? (T1E05)
ANSWER: The location at which the control operator function is performed
QUESTION: Which of the following is an example of automatic control? (T1E08)
ANSWER: Repeater operation
QUESTION: Which of the following is an example of remote control as defined in Part 97? (T1E10)
ANSWER: Operating the station over the internet
QUESTION: Which of the following is true of remote control operation? (T1E09)
ANSWER: All of these choices are correct
– The control operator must be at the control point
– A control operator is required at all times
– The control operator indirectly manipulates the controls
Station identification, repeaters, third-party communications, FCC inspection
Proper station identification is also very important. In fact, failure to identify properly is perhaps the most common rule violation.
QUESTION: When is an amateur station required to transmit its assigned call sign? (T1F03)
ANSWER: At least every 10 minutes during and at the end of a communication
QUESTION: When may an amateur station transmit without on-the-air identification? (T1D11)
ANSWER: When transmitting signals to control a model craft
QUESTION: Which of the following is an acceptable language to use for station identification when operating in a phone sub-band? (T1F04)
ANSWER: The English language
QUESTION: What method of call sign identification is required for a station transmitting phone signals? (T1F05)
ANSWER: Send the call sign using a CW or phone emission
QUESTION: What are the FCC rules regarding the use of a phonetic alphabet for station identification in the Amateur Radio Service? (T1A03)
ANSWER: It is encouraged
For some types of operations, using a tactical call is allowed. A tactical call describes the function of the station or the location of a station.
QUESTION: When using tactical identifiers such as “Race Headquarters” during a community service net operation, how often must your station transmit the station’s FCC-assigned call sign? (T1F02)
ANSWER: At the end of each communication and every ten minutes during a communication
When operating mobile or portable, or when you wish to note something about your station, you may use a self-assigned call sign indicator, such as “/3,” “mobile,” or “QRP.”
QUESTION: Which of the following formats of a self-assigned indicator is acceptable when identifying using a phone transmission? (T1F06)
ANSWER: All of these choices are correct
– KL7CC stroke W3
– KL7CC slant W3
= KL7CC slash W3
Third-party communications are communications on behalf of someone who is not the station licensee. For example, if you have a friend over to your house and let him or her talk on your radio, that is a third-party communication. These are entirely legal within the United States, but there are some restrictions when you are in contact with an amateur station in a foreign country.
QUESTION: What is meant by the term Third Party Communications? (T1F08)
ANSWER: A message from a control operator to another amateur station control operator on behalf of another person
QUESTION: Which of the following restrictions apply when a non-licensed person is allowed to speak to a foreign station using a station under the control of a Technician class control operator? (T1F07)
ANSWER: The foreign station must be one with which the U.S. has a third-party agreement
Finally—and I do mean finally.
QUESTION: When must the station licensee make the station and its records available for FCC inspection? (T1F01)
ANSWER: At any time upon request by an FCC representative
They’re not going to knock on your door at 3 a.m. some morning to take a look at your shack, but one of your obligations as a licensee is to make your station and your records available when requested to do so.
Well, that’s it! We’ve covered all 424 questions in the Technician Class question pool. Now, you should take some online practice tests, and when you’re passing those regularly, find an exam session and get your license. Good luck and 73!
Dave New, N8SBE says
“For example, only Amateur Extra class licensees who may hold 1×2 or 2×1 call signs.” –> “For example, only Amateur Extra class licensees may hold 1×2 or 2×1 call signs.” (delete “who”)
Dan KB6NU says
Eeeeps. Thanks.
Dave New, N8SBE says
Hmm. I thought the examples calls like K1XXX were actually not allowed, but looking at the FCC Amateur Call Sign System here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service/amateur-call-sign-systems it seems that only 2×3 format call signs with a suffix starting with ‘X’ are disallowed, and also 1×1 special event call signs cannot contain an ‘X’ after the numeral.
Still, the question pool committee would have done well avoiding using a 1×3 with ‘XXX’ as a suffix as an example, unless they were prepared to quiz folks on when such suffixes are allowed and when they are not. And this would be applicable to the Technician class license, either due to exhaustion of 1X3 calls in a given call area, or the fact that Technicians could ask for a 2×3 call as a vanity call.
Guess I learn something new every day…
Dan KB6NU says
You can tell that the FCC really just makes up the rules for amateur radio call signs as they go along.
Dave New, N8SBE says
Hmm. No requirement to get permission of the master of the vessel in international waters before transmitting? I’ve always thought that the master of the vessel is responsible for the safety of the vessel and passengers, and has the first (and last) word on any allowed behavior on board that might endanger the vessel or passengers.
Dan KB6NU says
Here’s what Part 97 has to say:
§97.5 Station license required.
(a) The station apparatus must be under the physi
cal control of a person named in an amateur
station license grant on the ULS consolidated license
database or a person authorized for alien reciprocal
operation by §97.107 of this part, bef
ore the station may transmit on any
amateur service frequency from
any place that is:
(1) Within 50 km of the Earth’s surface and at a pl
ace where the amateur service is regulated by the
FCC;
(2) Within 50 km of the Earth’s surface and abo
ard any vessel or craft that is documented or
registered in the United States; or
(3) More than 50 km above the Earth’s surface aboard
any craft that is documented or registered in
the United States.
Dave New, N8SBE says
I think that “control of the apparatus” is the key phrase, here. If you are not in your home domicile, then you and your equipment are likely under the control of whoever is running the show, there. The exception seems to be government (especially domestic government, as in state or local), authorities, where the FCC then claims federal preemption.
That’s why local/state government is usually unsuccessful in restricting amateur radio operating, whereas Home Owner Associations (non-governmental) do.
Dave New, N8SBE says
Self-assigned call sign indicators are a can of worms, due to restrictions from using self-assigned indicators that map to international call sign prefixes. The most egregious example is using /B to indicate beacon stations. The “B” prefix is reserved for China, and as such is NOT available for that use. I note that in ARRL publications, the usage is often shown as /b (lower case), as if that will let them ‘get by’ the FCC regulations. Unfortunately, in CW, there is no upper/lower case distinction. I’ve contacted ARRL about this, and got back a “I know a guy at the FCC that said it was OK” which also doesn’t fly.
Dave New, N8SBE says
All in all, really nice, Dan. I recommend your books to anyone who will listen to me.
Dan KB6NU says
THANKS!