On the amateurradio subreddit, someone asked:
I’m in the U.S. and am planning on demonstrating HF to a group of kids and unlicensed adults at a family event this weekend. I’d like the kids especially to be able to get on the air. I’ve read through Part 97.115 and the list of third-party operating agreements on ARRL’s website. But maybe some of you who have experience with GOTA (Field Day Get on the Air) or JOTA (Jamboree on the Air) can help me.
What does a QSO involving an unlicensed operator sound like? I know I need to be controlling the radio, but I could use some guidance on how these QSOs usually go.
The first reply reads:
As far as third-party traffic goes, it’s my understanding that the scenario you’re describing isn’t third-party traffic. You, as the licensee, are simply acting as a control operator so an unlicensed individual can talk on the radio, so long as you are physically present and can act to control the transmitter and provide guidance to the unlicensed individual.
I didn’t think that this was quite right. I thought that a third party was anyone operating the station other than the station licensee or control operator. As I was getting ready to write this, however, I thought that I better make sure. Well, good thing that I did because I think the reply is correct.
Part 97.3 (47) defines third party communications as “A message from the control operator (first party) of an amateur station to another amateur station control operator (second party) on behalf of another person (third party).”
So, I learned a couple of things today:
- The correct meaning of “third party” and “third-party communications.”
- Not to be so quick to show off what I know (or think I know).
Joshua | DC7IA | KK4RVI says
In Germany we have something really cool:
Training call signs. These have the prefixes DN1 to DN9 and enable you to let unlicensed folk get on the air. You are only required to sit next to them and they have to write a log of their contacts. Other than that, the unlicensed can do the same as the call the call sign holder has.
That’s a thing I would love to see more countries adopting it.
I also hold a training call sign, DN4IA. I am not allowed to use it myself, so if you ever hear it: It will probably be someone having their first contact, so please be kind and don’t expect them to understand all Q-codes. :)
Gerald N8WDT/DU7 says
Its what you learn after you know it all that counts!!!
Dan KB6NU says
True that! :)
Another quote I like on this topic is attributed to Will Rogers: “It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble, it’s what we know that ain’t so.”
Stan NW5Q says
Well it appears that the ARRL does not agree with this. In the Field Day rules regarding GOTA stations, Section 4.1.1.8 is quite specific:
4.1.1.8 Participants are reminded that non-licensed participants working under the direction of a valid control operator may only communicate with other W/VE stations or with stations in countries with which the US has entered a third party agreement.
Dan KB6NU says
Interesting. Here’s another point of view on this, from John Johnston, W3BE, who many people think is an authority on the rules:
At the discretion of the control operator, a third party – if otherwise eligible – may participate in stating his/her message under the authority of Section 97.115(b) . It says: The third party may participate in stating the message where: (1) The control operator is present at the control point and is continuously monitoring and supervising the third party’s participation; and (2) The third party is not a prior amateur service licensee whose license was revoked or not renewed after hearing and re – licensing has not taken place; suspended for less than the balance of the license term and the suspension is still in effect; suspended for the balance of the license term and re – licensing has not taken place; or surrendered for cancellation following notice of revocation, suspension or monetary forfeiture proceedings. The third party may not be the subject of a cease and desist order which relates to amateur service operation and which is s till in effect.
Dave New, N8SBE says
I tend to go with W3BE’s take on this, although he seems to annoy folks that don’t want to exactly follow the rules.
For example, the usage of /B to indicate beacon stations, which is actually not allowed, because “B” is a single-letter prefix for China, or /R for rover or repeater, likewise “R” is used to indicate Russia. No one would be allowed to use /W, for instance, for the same reason, unless they were indicating something like W/VE3ABC, to indicate they were operating in the US.
When I asked someone at ARRL HQ (I forget who, but it was someone who is supposedly up on the rules), he said, “I talked to someone at the FCC, and they said it was OK,” which I found ironic, because W3BE actually has a discussion of exactly that answer on his web site.
In other words, it is never OK to excuse yourself from following the rules, because you ‘know’ somebody that says otherwise. Imagine a telling a police officer that it was OK to run the red light, because you know someone in the state legislature that said it was OK.
Boris says
Here in Russia we can allow another person to operate with my callsign and addition of /n (as ‘novice’, perhaps). Under full control of present owner of callsing, of course.