Technician License CourseChapter 5

Licensing Regulations

Licensing Authority

• Federal Communications Commission– Located in Gettysburg, PA

• Amateur Radio operations covered by FCC rules published in Part 97 of Title 47 – Code of Federal Regulations– Use Part 97 for short

Why is there ham radio?

1. Providing emergency communication capability

2. Advancement of the art and science of radio3. Advance communication and technical skills

of radio4. Provide a trained reservoir of operators,

technicians, and electronics experts5. Promote and enhance international goodwill

Some Definitions

• Amateur Service – non pecuniary interest (private and personal, non commercial)– Exception – Station that transmits bulletins of interest to Amateur

Radio Operators (i.e. W1AW)

• Amateur Operator – the person holding authorization (license) to operate a amateur radio station

• Amateur Station – equipment capable of transmitting on frequencies authorized for Amateur Service

The Amateur License

• No age limit or citizenship restrictions– One exception – foreign representatives

• License actually contains two parts– Operator License– Station License (the Call Sign)

• Three classes of operator privileges: Tech, General, Extra

The Amateur License

• There are 2 parts– Operator License– Station License

• There is only 1 piece of paper

• I don’t know why this seems to be a big issue but it is usually on the test

Examinations

• Preparation– Study the content– Question Pool

• Taking the exam– Proctored exam– Multiple choice– What the fee pays for

• Volunteer Examiners (VEs)– Greater class operator than the test is for EXCEPT for Extra.– EXTRA Class can proctor for the Extra class test

• Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs)– 2 most often referred to – ARRL and W5YI– Review testing/forms to ensure compliance

License Term and Renewal

• The license is free and good for 10 years– Renewable within 90 days of the expiration date– CSCE is valid for 365 days

• If Your License Expires– You may not operate without a valid license– There is a 2 YEAR grace period when you can reapply without

retaking the test• Some personal identification information is required

– Tax ID (social security number)– Current Mailing Address– Federal Registration Number (FRN)

• Don’t lose this or your password• Can be applied for w/o a license

Responsibilities of Licensure

• Prevent unauthorized operation of your station

• Provide personal information as required – keep a current mailing address on file

• Make your station available for FCC inspection upon request

Inspections

• Your Station must be available to inspection by the FCC at any time– I have never experienced this– Usually occurs if you are causing interference

and there are complaints– I run a LPCA (Low Power Crummy Antenna)

station

FCC ULS Web Site

• www.wireless.fcc.gov/uls– Register for on-line access to your license information

– Make changes to your address and other information

– Renew your license

– Search for other station information

– YOU CAN START OPERATING AS SOON AS YOUR LISTED IN THE FCC’s DATABASE!!!!

What can you do with a Technician Class License?

• Frequency Privileges– Band versus frequency

)(

300

MHzFreqBand

What can you do with a Technician Class License?

• Emission Privileges

What can you do with a Technician Class License?

• Power Limits• Use the minimum power required to get the job

done• Up to 1500 Watts Peak Envelop Power (PEP)

– Will generally require an external amplifier to achieve these power levels

• Some special cases where power is restricted

Primary and Secondary Allocations

• Some authorized amateur frequencies are shared– Primary Users

• Protected from harmful interference by signals from secondary services

– Secondary Users• Understand that they must not cause interference to

primary users

Amateur Radio - Internationally

• International Telecommunications Union (ITU)– Regions 1, 2, and 3

• CONUS hams are in Region 2

• Reciprocal Operating Authorizations

• There are times when there are restrictions on certain countries that we can contact

Call Signs

• US call signs begin with: K, N, W, and A

• US call sign districts: 0-9

Call Signs

• Portable – operating away from primary station location

• If in the different call sign district add:– “portable 6” if voice– /6 if Morse code or digital– Not required just nice to do

• If recent up-grade add “AG” or “AE”

International Operating

• There are 3 ways to obtain permission– Reciprocal Operating Authority– International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP)– European Conference of Postal and

Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)

Special Call Signs

• Club and Special Event Call Sings– At least 4 members– Documentation showing the club has meetings– There must be a trustee responsible for the club station

• Vanity Call Signs– Pay for a “CUTE” callsign– Obtain the callsign of a deceased family member– Obtain a callsign that has expired– www.arrl.org/hrlm/vanity

• Special Event Callsigns– Usually good for 15 days– Must apply through Special Event Coordinator (ARRL)

Review Questions

• T1A01 through 09• T1B01, 02, 07, 08, 09,

10• T2B03 through 06 09,

10• T1C02, 02, 04 through

10• T2C02

• T1D01 through 08, 11, 12

• T2D06, 08, 09, 10• T3B08, 09, 10• T4B10, 11, 12• T6C02

Next Time

• Operating Regulations

• Read 6-1 through 6-13