One of the most important things you must do when operating an amateur radio station is to make sure that your signal stays within the amateur radio band or sub-band. So, for example, you don’t want to operate at the very bottom of the phone band, if operating phone, or at the very bottom of the CW/data portion of a band if your operating LSB AFSK. Nor do you want to operate at the upper end of the CW/data portion of the band if you’re operating USB AFSK. The reason for this is that your signals will illegally extend outside the band or portion of the band where you have operating privileges.
QUESTION: Which of the following carrier frequencies is illegal for LSB AFSK emissions on the 17 meter band RTTY and data segment of 18.068 to 18.110 MHz? (E1A01)
ANSWER: 18.068 MHz
If you set your carrier frequency to 18.068 MHz, your signal will extend beyond the bottom of the 17-meter band.
QUESTION: What is the maximum legal carrier frequency on the 20 meter band for transmitting USB AFSK digital signals having a 1 kHz bandwidth? (E1A03)
ANSWER: 14.149 MHz
If you set your carrier frequency to 14.149 MHz, your signal could potentially extend beyond 14.150 MHz, which is the upper limit of CW/data segment of the 20-meter band.
This may also happen if you operate phone. When operating phone using LSB on 40m or 80m, you must set your transmitter carrier frequency to at least 3 kHz above the lower band edge to ensure that your signal does not extend into the CW/data portion of the band. For example, if you hear a DX station calling CQ on 3.601 MHz LSB, it would be illegal to return that call using LSB on that same frequency because your signal will extend beyond the lower edge of the phone band (3.598 – 3.601 MHz).
QUESTION: When using a transceiver that displays the carrier frequency of phone signals, which of the following displayed frequencies represents the lowest frequency at which a properly adjusted LSB emission will be totally within the band? (E1A02)
ANSWER: 3 kHz above the lower band edge
QUESTION: With your transceiver displaying the carrier frequency of phone signals, you hear a DX station calling CQ on 3.601 MHz LSB. Is it legal to return the call using lower sideband on the same frequency? (E1A04)
ANSWER: No, the sideband will extend beyond the edge of the phone band segment
Similarly, you must make sure that your SSTV signals stay with the phone segments of the band on which you’re operating. So, make sure not to set your carrier frequency too low if operating LSB or too high if operating USB.
QUESTION: What special operating frequency restrictions are imposed on slow scan TV transmissions? (E1A12)
ANSWER: They are restricted to phone band segments
60 meter, 630 meter and 2200 meter bands
The 60 m band is one of the oddest amateur radio bands. One of the reasons for this is that the 60 meter band is the only amateur band where transmission on specific channels rather than a range of frequencies is permitted. Practically, what this means is that the carrier frequency of a CW signal must be set at the center frequency of the channel.
The rules for power output are also a bit arcane. The maximum power output permitted on the 60 meter band is 100 watts PEP effective radiated power relative to the gain of a half-wave dipole. The rules are written this way to minimize interference between amateur radio operators, who are secondary users of this band, and the primary users, which are primarily government radio stations.
There are also power output limitations on the relatively new 630 meter and 2200 meter bands. The power limits are 1 watt and 5 watts, respectively.
QUESTION: Where must the carrier frequency of a CW signal be set to comply with FCC rules for 60 meter operation? (E1A06)
ANSWER: At the center frequency of the channel
QUESTION: What is the maximum power output permitted on the 60 meter band? (E1A05)
ANSWER: 100 watts PEP effective radiated power relative to the gain of a half-wave dipole
QUESTION: What is the maximum power permitted on the 2200 meter band? (E1A07)
ANSWER: 1 watt EIRP (Equivalent isotropic radiated power)
QUESTION: Except in some parts of Alaska, what is the maximum power permitted on the 630 meter band? (E1A14)
ANSWER: 5 watts EIRP
Winlink
Some amateur radio systems automatically forward messages for other amateur radio stations. Winlink is one such system. There is always a question of who is responsible when an automatically-controlled station forwards a message that violates FCC rules. If a station in a message forwarding system inadvertently forwards a message that is in violation of FCC rules, the control operator of the originating station is primarily accountable for the rules violation. This is very similar to the situation where a repeater is used to send messages that violate FCC rules.
QUESTION: If a station in a message forwarding system inadvertently forwards a message that is in violation of FCC rules, who is primarily accountable for the rules violation? (E1A08)
ANSWER: The control operator of the originating station
The first action you should take if your digital message forwarding station inadvertently forwards a communication that violates FCC rules is to discontinue forwarding the communication as soon as you become aware of it. This is also similar to what a repeater control operator should do if a repeater user is violating FCC rules.
QUESTION: What action or actions should you take if your digital message forwarding station inadvertently forwards a communication that violates FCC rules? (E1A09)
ANSWER: Discontinue forwarding the communication as soon as you become aware of it
Operating aboard a ship or airplane
Operating an amateur radio station aboard a ship or an airplane can be a lot of fun, but there are some rules that govern this operation. First of all, you need an FCC-issued amateur license to operate an amateur station aboard a U.S.-registered vessel in international waters. Also, before operating an amateur station is installed aboard a ship or aircraft, you must get the approval of the master of the ship or the pilot of the aircraft.
QUESTION: Which of the following describes authorization or licensing required when operating an amateur station aboard a U.S.-registered vessel in international waters? (E1A11)
ANSWER: Any FCC-issued amateur license
QUESTION: If an amateur station is installed aboard a ship or aircraft, what condition must be met before the station is operated? (E1A10)
ANSWER: Its operation must be approved by the master of the ship or the pilot in command of the aircraft
Even when operating from a ship, there must be a control operator. Someone holding an FCC-issued amateur license or who is authorized for alien reciprocal operation must be in physical control of the station.
QUESTION: Who must be in physical control of the station apparatus of an amateur station aboard any vessel or craft that is documented or registered in the United States? (E1A13)
ANSWER: Any person holding an FCC issued amateur license or who is authorized for alien reciprocal operation
Leave a Reply