Chapter 7 Licensing Regulations. Chapter 7 Licensing Regulations Today’s agenda How FCC rules are identified Amateur Radio’s “mission” Types of licenses.

Chapter 7

Licensing Regulations

Chapter 7Licensing Regulations

Today’s agenda

• How FCC rules are identified

• Amateur Radio’s “mission”

• Types of licenses

• Licensing exams and Volunteer Examiners

• Responsibilities of licensees

• Frequency and emission privileges

Chapter 7Licensing Regulations

Today’s agenda (Continued)

• International radio rules

• Amateur call signs

Chapter 7Licensing Terms

Part 97 – The amateur service is defined by and operates according to the rules in Part 97 of the FCC’s rules.

The FCC’s rules are one part of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The FCC is responsible for 200 parts including Part 97 – The Amateur Radio Service.

Each rule is defined separately according to the following convention: Part 97.1, Part 97.25, Part 97.301, etc.


Subpart A - General Provisions Sec. 97.1 Basis and purpose. 97.3 Definitions. 97.5 Station license required. 97.7 Control operation required. 97.9 Operator license grant. 97.11 Stations aboard ships or aircraft. 97.13 Restrictions on station location. 97.15 Station antenna structures. 97.17 Application for new license grant. 97.19 Application for a vanity call sign.


Basis and Purpose

Part 97.1 – The “mission” of Amateur Radio

a.A voluntary, non-commercial communications service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.

Hams provide communications during emergencies and disasters.

b.Contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

c.Enhance skills in the communications and technical phases of the art.


Basis and Purpose

Part 97.1 – The “mission” of Amateur Radio

d. Increase the number of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.

e. Continue to enhance international goodwill.


Definitions and Other Stuff

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) makes and enforces the rules for the Amateur Radio Service in the United States.

The FCC is the agency that grants your amateur radio license.

A license in the amateur radio service allows you to operate anywhere that the FCC regulates the amateur service – the 50 states and all possessions under US government control.



Amateur Service – “A radiocommunications service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.”

The Amateur service is one of over two dozen telecommunications services governed and administered by the FCC and it is one of a very few communications services

that require the participants to be licensed.



Amateur operator – “A person named in an amateur operator/primary license station grant on the Universal Licensing System (ULS) consolidated licensee database to be the control operator of an amateur station.”

Amateur station – “A station in an amateur radio service consisting of the apparatus [equipment] necessary for carrying on radio communications.”


Type and Classes of Licenses

Other than a representative of a foreign government who cannot be granted an amateur radio license, anyone may be granted a U.S. amateur radio license.

• Citizens of other countries may be granted an amateur radio license.

• The are no gender, age, health or fitness requirements or restrictions to get an amateur radio license.


6-year old Jessica Dowding, KD7PIO, earned her Tech license Dec 2001.



An amateur radio license consists of an operator license and a station license.

• The operator license gives you permission to operate an amateur station according to the rules of the amateur service.

• The station license authorizes you to have an amateur station.



There are three types of amateur radio licenses currently being granted:

Technician

General

Amateur Extra



There are other classes of license that are still valid but are no longer being granted.

Novice

Technician Plus

Advanced


Current and Previous License Classes

License ClassCurrentlyIssued?

Still Valid?

Amateur Extra Yes Yes

Advanced No Yes

General Yes Yes

Technician Plus No Yes

Technician Yes Yes

Novice No Yes


Amateur License Class ExaminationsLicense Class

Exam Element

Number of Questions

Technician 2 (Written) 35 (passing is 26 correct)

General 3 (Written) 35 (passing is 26 correct)

Amateur Extra 4 (Written) 50 (passing is 37 correct)

Pass element 2 to earn TechnicianPass elements 2 and 3 to earn GeneralPass elements 2, 3 and 4 to earn Amateur Extra


Examinations

Amateur radio operators develop the question pools for each license class and administer the license exams.

An amateur radio operator who gives the exams and runs the exam sessions is a “Volunteer Examiner” (VE)

A VE is accredited by one or more Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VEC) to administer amateur license exams.


Examinations

Each exam session requires three VEs to be present to administer amateur exams.

The Technician exam (Element 2) may be administered by three VEs with a General class license or above.

The General exam (Element 3) may be administered by three VEs with an Advanced class license or above.


Examinations

The Amateur Extra exam (Element 4) may be administered by three VEs with an Amateur Extra class license. The Anne Arundel Radio Club VE Team administers amateur license exams under the coordination of the Laurel VEC on the 2nd Saturday of every month.

Registration starts at Noon and testing around 1:00pm. Walk-ins are accepted.


Examinations

When you pass your exam you will be given a Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE).

• Indicates which exam element(s) you passed

• Indicates which license you earned.

• Signed by three Volunteer Examiners

• Good for only 365 days



You’ll receive your license in the mail from the FCC in about 7-14 days.

• Sign it• Make 2-3 copies• Save original in safe location – you’ll need to bring it with you when you upgrade.


Terms of License and Renewal

Your amateur license is good for a term of 10-years.

You can renew it within 90 days or less of the expiration date.

• Renew on-line• Complete the FCC Form 605 and mail it in.• Renew at an exam session (bring your original and a copy of your current license).


Term of License and Renewal

If you license expires you have a two-year grace period in which to renew your license. You do not have to retake the license exam during the grace period.

While your license is expired it’s almost as if you never had one. You cannot legally transmit with an expired license.

If you fail to renew your license within the grace period you must start over from the beginning by taking the Technician exam.


Term of License and Renewal

If you lose your license you can request a replacement from the FCC.

• On-line is easiest

• Mail a letter to the FCC – include your call sign


Responsibilities

Unauthorized Operation – To prevent improper use of your station equipment when you’re not present, simply disconnect the microphone and power cables.

Personal Information – You must maintain a valid current mailing address with the FCC. If mail is returned as “undeliverable” your license can be suspended or revoked.


Responsibilities

Station Inspection – As a federal licensee, you are required to make your station available for inspection upon request by an FCC representative or US government official.

These visits are very rare and only occur when there is reason to believe that your station has been operated improperly.

Chapter 7Working with the FCC

The FCC ULS Web Sitewww.fcc.gov/uls

• Register for online access to your license information

• Make simple changes to your address & other information

• Renew your license

• Search for licensees by name, call sign or location

http://www.fcc.gov/uls

Chapter 7Working with the FCC

The FCC CORES Web Sitewww.fcc.gov/cores

• Register with FCC to get a Federal Registration Number (FRN) before your exam or you’ll have to enter your SSN on the license application.

• Once you have an FRN you don’t use your SSN for business with the FCC.

• When your license is granted a FRN is issued if you didn’t pre-register and your FRN is displayed on your license.

http://www.fcc.gov/cores

Chapter 7Bands & Privileges

Frequency Privileges

For questions dealing with what frequency is in a particular band or vice versa use the following formula:

Band (m) =

300 Freq (MHz)

Freq (MHz) = 300Band (m)

Table 7-2


Frequency Privileges

Technician HF Privileges200 watts PEP maximum Output

Band (Wavelength) Frequency (MHz)

80 meters 3.525-3.600 (CW only)

40 meters 7.025-7.125 (CW only)

15 meters 21.025-21.200 (CW only)

10 meters28.000-28.300 (CW, RTTY and data)

28.300-28.500 (CW and SSB)


Amateur Emission TypesEmission Description

CW Morse code telegraphy

Data Computer-to-computer communications aka “Digital”

Image Televisions (Fast scan and slow scan) and facsimile

MCW Tone –modulated CW (Morse code)

Phone Speech or voice

Pulse A sequence of pulses that are modulated to carry info

RTTY Narrow-band, direct printing telegraphy

SS Spread-spectrum – sig spread over wide band of freqs

Test Transmission carrying no information


VHF/UHF/HF Power Limits6 meters (50-54 MHz) 1500 w PEP Maximum

2 meters (144-148 MHz) 1500 w PEP Maximum

1.25 meters (219-220 and 222-224 MHz) 1500 w PEP Maximum

70 centimeters (420-450 MHz) 1500 w PEP Maximum



80 meters (3.525-3.600 MHz CW only) 200 w PEP Maximum



10 meters (28.000-28.500 MHz) 200 w PEP Maximum


Power Limits

Amateur radio operators are required to use the MINIMUM power required to carry out the desired communication.

All amateurs are limited to 200 watts PEP on 30m band

All amateurs are limited to 50 watts PEP on 219-220 MHz

Beacons are limited to 100 watts PEP

All amateurs are limited to 50 watts PEP on 60m band


Primary and Secondary Allocations

Many frequency bands or portions of frequency bands are allocated for exclusive use by radio amateurs.

Because the frequency spectrum is only so big and there are many potential users, sometimes two services are allocated a portion of frequency spectrum to share.

When frequency allocations are shared, one user is designated as the primary service [user] and the other is the secondary service [user].



The primary service is always protected from interference from the secondary service.

A user in the secondary service gains access to the shared frequency with the understanding that it cannot cause harmful interference to the users in the primary service.

A user in the secondary service gains access to the shared frequency with the understanding that it must accept interference from users in the primary service.



All of the UHF and higher-frequency bands share portions of the frequency spectrum.

Not all US amateur allocations are allocated to amateurs worldwide. Where there are competing allocations, the amateur service is considered to be a secondary user.

If your transmissions in the 23 cm band (1240-1300 MHz) are causing interference to a radiolocation service outside the U.S., you must stop operating until you can figure out how to stop the interference.


Band Plans

Band plans organize different types of activity by frequency.

Grouping similar activities together, band plans allow the spectrum to be used more effectively.

Band plans have been developed by hams over time.

Band plans are voluntary arrangement for using different modes or for different activities. They are not “rules” but the FCC considers them to be “good amateur practice”.


Band Plans

Band plans apply during normal conditions and DO NOT guarantee the use of any frequency at any time.

Radio amateurs are expected to be flexible on a day-to-day basis.


Band Plans

A portion of the 2 meter (144-148 MHz) Band Plan

144.00 - 144.05 EME (CW)

144.05 - 144.10 General CW and weak signals

144.10 - 144.20 EME and weak-signal SSB

144.200 SSB calling frequency

144.200 - 144.275 General SSB operation

144.275 - 144.300 Propagation beacons

144.30 - 144.50 OSCAR [satellite] subband

144.50 - 144.60 Linear translator inputs

144.60 - 144.90 FM repeater inputs

Repeater Coordination


Simply put, repeater and frequency coordination

brings order out of chaos.

Hams have developed a system of regional frequency coordination to insure that repeaters use the amateur bands wisely [effectively] and avoid interference to the greatest extent possible.

This is part of the Amateur Radio tradition of self-policing and self administration.



Repeaters and their auxiliary stations are grouped together into one or two segments of a band.

Their input and output frequencies are fixed and have a common offset in each region.

Common Repeater Offsets by Band

2 meters plus [+] or minus [-] 600 kHz

1.25 meters Minus [-] 1.6 MHz

70 cm Plus [+] or minus [-] 5 MHz



Coordination of repeater input and output frequencies minimizes interference between repeaters and to other users of a band.

Frequency Coordinators are individuals or groups that recommend repeater input and output frequencies to reduce or eliminate interference between repeaters operating on or near the same frequency in the same geographical area.

Local or regional amateurs whose stations are eligible to be auxiliary or repeater stations select the frequency coordinator.



In addition to repeater input and output frequencies, the frequency coordinator considers transmit power, height of antennas, and whether the repeater should employ access tones.

The Mid-Atlantic Repeater Council (T-MARC) coordinates Amateur VHF and UHF repeater operations in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Northern Virginia and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.



A coordinated repeater uses frequencies approved by a regional coordinator.

Un-coordinated repeaters are strongly discouraged as they often cause interference.

Once a frequency pair (input/output) have been assigned, the repeater owner can turn on their repeater.

Chapter 7International Rules

International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

The ITU was formed as an agency of the United Nations in 1949.

An administrative forum for addressing international telecommunications treaties and laws including frequency allocations.

The ITU also maintains international radio laws that all UN countries agree to abide by.





The ITU divides the world into three regions for the purpose of frequency management.

Allocations for amateur radio above 50 MHz in Region 2 are different for amateurs in Regions 1 and 3.

North and South America including Alaska and Hawaii form Region 2. The US possessions of Guam, Johnston Island, and America Samoa are in Region 3 and must abide by the frequency rules for that region.




International Operating

If you plan to operate from a foreign country…

• The foreign country must permit amateur operation

• You must have permission to operate

• Within the territorial boundaries including territorial waters of any country, you must operate according to their rules.

You may operate from any vessel of craft that is documented or registered in the United States.


International Operating

To use your U.S. amateur license there must be a reciprocal operating agreement between the U.S. and the other country.

There are three ways of getting operating permission:

1. Reciprocal operating authority2. An International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP)3. The European Conference of Postal and

Telecommunications Conference (CEPT).


Reciprocal Operating Authority

Many countries have entered into reciprocal operating authority agreements which recognize each other’s amateur licenses.

These are formal government-to-government agreements.

Simply take a copy of your license and operate according to your host country’s rules and regulations.


International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP)

Allows U.S. amateurs to operate from countries in North & South America without seeking a special license or permit to enter and operate from that country using their rules.

• IARP is issued by the ARRL

• Two classes:

• Class 1 = Amateur Extra• Class 2 = Technician (issued to Technicians, Generals and Advanced class licensees.)


European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)

A CEPT license allows U.S. Amateurs to travel to and operate from most European countries or their possessions without obtaining an additional license or permit.

You’ll need to bring:

• Passport

• Original version of your current license (not a copy)

• Copy of FCC’s public notice about CEPT licenses.

Two class just like IARP


Permitted Contacts and Communications

Unless specifically prohibited by the government of either country, any ham can talk to any other ham.

International communications must be limited to the purposes of the amateur service or remarks of a personal nature.

Some countries do not recognize amateur radio (e.g., North Korea).

The FCC can impose restrictions on a U.S. ham as a result of a judgment or administrative ruling.

Chapter 7Call Signs

Prefix and Suffix

Every country is assigned at least one unique block of prefixes.

• Canadians use VA-VZ plus other letters• Hams in France have call signs that start with F• Japanese hams use call signs that start with J• Hams from Singapore use calls that begin with 9V

U.S. amateur call signs start with K, N, W or AA-ALIf a call sign starts with these letters then you know it’s a U.S. call sign!

Chapter 7Call Signs

Prefix and Suffix

Prefix

1-2 letters (K, N, W or AA-AL) and a single digit: 0-9

Suffix

1-3 letters following the single digit in the prefix

Chapter 7Call Signs

US Call Districts & Call Signs

US Amateur Call Signs in Districts 0-9

Group License Class Format

AAmateur

Extra

1 x 2 (starting with K, N or W) or 2 x 1 (starting with K, N or W) or 2 x 2 starting with AA-AL

1 x 2 = N3MB2 x 1 = WW3R2 x 2 = AE3RR

B Advanced

2 x 2 starting with K, N or WNA1DXKK4GVWW3ZZ

Chapter 7Call Signs




C General & Tech

1 x 3 starting with K, N, or WN3ADYK3BAYW3OKL

D Novice 2 x 3 starting with K or WKB3ATI, KB3MPR, KB3UDM,

Special Event Call Sign

1 x 1 starting with K, N or WK1D, W0W, N4N, K9K, W1N

Chapter 7Call Signs


Unless you earn an Amateur Extra class license during your first exam session, your first call sign will come from Group D because all of the call signs in Group C have been granted.



C General & Tech1 x 3 starting with K, N, or W

Not Available

D Novice 2 x 3 starting with K or WKB3ATI, KB3MPR, KB3UDM,

Chapter 7Call Signs


KL7=AlaskaKH6 = HawaiiKH4 = Johnston IsKH8 – American Samoa

KP2 = US Virgin Is. & KP4 = Puerto Rico

Chapter 7Call Signs


U.S. amateur call signs can tell a lot about the amateur station in most cases:

• Class of license

• General location

• Type and height of antenna (Just kidding)

Chapter 7Call Signs

Portable & Upgrade

If you operate outside the continental U.S., you must add the prefix of the country from which you are operating to your call sign. This includes Alaska (KL7) and Hawaii (KH6).

• KI3DS/VE3 = You are operating in Ontario Province, Canada

• KI3DS/KH6 = You are operating from Hawaii

• KI3DS/KP2 = You are operating from U.S. Virgin Islands

Chapter 7Call Signs

Portable & Upgrade

We often append our call signs to indicate a particular activity such as operating mobile or portable.

• When operating mobile (Car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.) we simply say, “KI3DS mobile”. We might also indicate a state or county if appropriate.

• When operating from a temporary location other our home location we say, “KI3DS portable”. We might also indicate a state or county if appropriate.

• “KI3DS portable Greene County Texas”

Chapter 7Call Signs

Portable & Upgrade

When operating CW we send, “KI3DS/mob” to indicate we’re operating from a car, motorcycle, bicycle, horseback, etc. We might also indicate a state or county if appropriate.

When we use self-assigned designators we cannot use any designator that would conflict with the prefix of another country. For example we can not use the following self-assigned designators when sending via Morse code:

KI3DS/P – Indicates we are operating in Brazil

W3VPR/R – Indicates we are operating in Russia

Chapter 7Call Signs

Portable & Upgrade

When we upgrade our license we have to append our call signs with specific designators until the FCC data base has been updated to show your new license class.

Must use the appropriate designator below, when using your new license privileges

• KT = Upgrade from Novice to Technician• AG = Upgrade from Novice or Technician to General• AE = Upgrade from Novice, Technician, General to

Amateur extra

Chapter 7Call Signs

Portable & Upgrade

When you upgrade your license and it is not yet in the FCC data base and you are using your new license privileges, you must appropriately append your call sign to indicate your upgrade.

On phone you would say, KI3DS temporary [or interim] Kilo Tango, Alpha Golf or Alpha Echo to indicate the upgrade to Technician, General or Amateur Extra.

Using CW or Digital you would send: KI3DS/KT, KI3DS/AG or KI3DS/AE

Chapter 7Call Signs

Choosing a Call Sign

Don’t like your call sign because ______________________?

Why doesn’t matter. The good news is that you can change it through the Vanity Call Sign program.

You can pick any call sign as long as it is authorized for your license

class.

www.vanityhq.com

Chapter 7Call Signs

Club & Special Event Call Signs

Amateur radio clubs can have their own call signs

AARC = W3VPR

AARC Jr. = KI3DS

There are some rules:

• At least 4 members

• The FCC can ask for documentation showing the club exists and has meetings.

Chapter 7Call Signs


Club licenses are granted to the person the club designates as the trustee for the club station.

Clubs apply for a call sign by contacting a Club Station Call Sign Administrator.

After being granted a Group D call sign, the club can apply for a vanity call.

Chapter 7Call Signs


Any FCC-licensed amateur or club can obtain a special 1 x 1 call sign (e.g., K1D, W0W, K7K, N5N, etc) for a short duration significant event (Anniversary of a club, County fair, etc.) – usually no more than 15 days

Application for a Special Event call is made to a Special Call Sign Coordinator – there are five of these.

These call signs are unique because they have a single letter in both the prefix and suffix.

Chapter 7Call Signs


The special event call sign must be given once every 10 minutes and at the end of the contact.

The call sign or the amateur or club that requested the special event call must be given once per hour .

Chapter 7Call Signs

Questions?

Read Chapter 8 for the next session.

Chapter 7 Licensing Regulations. Chapter 7 Licensing Regulations Today’s agenda How FCC rules are identified Amateur Radio’s “mission” Types of licenses.

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