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2 votes
3 answers
4k views

Are Baofeng radios illegal in the US?

After having acquired a Baofeng, 5 days later, I found out that it is illegal. For the people who say my question is a duplicate and downvoted my question: I know about this question being the same as ...
o'o's user avatar
  • 594
5 votes
0 answers
113 views

Are there any stations other than W1AW that fall under 47 CFR 97.113(a)(3)(iv)?

47 CFR 97.113(a)(3) normally prohibits amateurs from transmitting [c]ommunications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an ...
Someone's user avatar
  • 604
2 votes
2 answers
111 views

3rd party rules

Why are there 3rd party rules? http://arrl.org/third-party-operating-agreements lists the countries we are allowed to pass 3rd party messages from. The fcc regulations specifically state that 3rd ...
mbond's user avatar
  • 97
1 vote
3 answers
406 views

Is it legal to practice using a one-time pad?

Imagine two people want to practice the procedure for sending and receiving messages over amateur radio that are encrypted using a one-time pad. Here’s what doing this for real would look like: ...
Bryan's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
1 answer
93 views

Kosher to setup a D-Star (or DV) repeater on 10m?

Equipment availability and other logistics aside, is it kosher in the US to fire up a D-Star (or other digital voice) repeater in the appropriate portion of 10m? I haven't been able to find any ...
webmarc's user avatar
  • 4,373
2 votes
2 answers
584 views

Operating on the US-Canada Border

How would one identify if one were operating from a location directly on the US/Canada border? Wxxxx/VEx or Wxxxx? How about POTA? If I were to operate a POTA twofer on the boundary at the border of ...
AI7OW's user avatar
  • 326
1 vote
1 answer
166 views

Could a non-licensee transmit to a licensed person remotely, if the licensed person ensures they follow laws?

Let's suppose that Person A, who does not have a license, would like to contact Person B, who is licensed, over an amateur radio frequency. I know that under certain circumstances, Person A would be ...
Blue Herring's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
94 views

How do equipment manufacturers test equipment? [duplicate]

How do manufacturers of ham radio equipment test the devices they sell without violating laws against commercial use of ham radio frequencies?
kj7rrv's user avatar
  • 179
13 votes
1 answer
4k views

Is there any legal recourse against unauthorized usage of a private repeater in the USA?

Can the FCC revoke an amateur license for unwelcomed use of another amateur's private/closed repeater system? It's clear that private repeaters are allowed, per 47 CFR 97.205(e): Limiting the use of ...
natevw - AF7TB's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
229 views

Would repeated non-interfering kerchunking with ID within ten minutes be illegal or just annoying?

I'm not going to do this. I'm just curious whether it's legal or not. Suppose there's a net at 8:00 on a repeater. There is no traffic prior to the net. Is it legal to repeatedly kerchunk the repeater ...
Someone's user avatar
  • 604
3 votes
1 answer
168 views

Is it legal to make transmissions to one's own auto-confirming radio with the intent that a non-licensed person read the messages?

Is this scenario legal? John, K1ABC, sends this message from a portable QTH: K1ABC-1 DE K1ABC-2 On the way home DE K1ABC/P John's home radio automatically responds ...
Someone's user avatar
  • 604
5 votes
4 answers
482 views

UHF 70cm unlicensed use

We are farmers with (edit) 25-40w radios mostly old Kenwoods and Motorolas in all of our tractors and vehicles. I'm not exactly sure what frequency we have but the man who programmed them set them up ...
Logan's user avatar
  • 51
0 votes
1 answer
189 views

What is the maximum height I can go above the roof of my house

I have a new 5/8 wave Antenna with 3 radials. It's just over 22 feet high, the mast-pole is 30 foot long and will be mounted on the side of my house question is, what is the maximum "legal" ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
253 views

What replaces the first class radio license?

Several electricians here were hired partly because they had amateur radio licenses and one of them had a 'First Class Radiotelephone' license. It'd be nice to get that credential but it's no longer ...
Dax's user avatar
  • 453
3 votes
1 answer
256 views

Multiplayer game over ham radio digital link?

Would it be legal to play a multiplayer video game over a ham radio link? Both players are hams, and their call signs will be transmitted in the link.
Someone's user avatar
  • 604
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

Putting up a tower on my residential property

I live in upstate South Carolina. I contacted the city and the person who answered the phone call said it would be a new structure and can't be higher the the house on the property. I looked at the ...
N4LEP's user avatar
  • 41
1 vote
1 answer
144 views

Would a transmitter similar to "The Thing" be legal on ham bands in the US?

The Thing was a listening device used by the Soviet Union to eavesdrop on US government officials. It was basically an AM transmitter if I understand correctly, but it required another transmitter on ...
Someone's user avatar
  • 604
3 votes
2 answers
264 views

Can someone without privileges on a band operate FT8 on it using the callsign of a ham who does and is present?

I have an Extra license. Is it legal for my dad (who has a Technician license) or my mom (who is not licensed) to operate FT8 on 20 meters using my call sign, if I am physically present at the control ...
Someone's user avatar
  • 604
2 votes
2 answers
946 views

Why is there a repeater on 146.46? Isn't that a simplex frequency?

I have a commercial GE Phoenix transceiver that I sent out to be programmed on 146.460 but have been informed by a club that my transmissions are interfering with their repeater that has a 146.460 ...
Dax's user avatar
  • 453
3 votes
3 answers
263 views

Can you base64 encode or compress ham transmissions [US]?

(a) No amateur station shall transmit: <...> Music using a phone emission except as specifically provided elsewhere in this section; communications intended to facilitate a criminal act; ...
belkarx's user avatar
  • 133
2 votes
2 answers
244 views

Can users ID for a repeater?

If a typical Amateur Radio repeater's ID'er goes down, can the users of that repeater ID on behalf of that repeater? IE,"this is Blah Blah Blah on the Blah Blah Blah repeater". Maybe I'm ...
Radio Geek's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
290 views

When was the FCC Part 97 requirement for a time-out timer removed from repeaters under automatic control? Or, am I just nuts?

I've been remiss in keeping up with the changes in Part 97, especially in the area of repeater stations. A recent discussion about changing the time-out timer's period had me scurrying to the CFR, and ...
KenTenTen's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
452 views

What are the limitations of the 6.765 - 6.975 MHz ISM band in the United States? [closed]

There is a region of the lower 43 meter band designated for ISM use in the United States by the FCC starting at 6.765 MHz and ending at 6.975 MHz. Both "FIXED" and "MOBILE" usage ...
zenith777's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
359 views

Can we use UHF/VHF ham bands for search and rescue missions?

Suppose that several licensed amateurs are part of a volunteer search and rescue team. The team is normally licensed and carries equipment to communicate on a variety of public safety bands in VHF/UHF ...
crasic's user avatar
  • 171
3 votes
1 answer
529 views

programming Pofung UV-82

As an alternative to the higher priced Motorola portables we use at our volunteer fire department, individuals have purchased several Bao Feng UV-82HP units to carry to monitor dispatch and fire ...
rshinn13's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
339 views

Is the mode on the band plan chart mandatory?

In the ARRL band plan found here in the bands where we are permitted to transmit, is the specified mode always mandatory? If I get caught making a silly mistake by the FCC transmitting on the wrong ...
NonYaBidnezz's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
69 views

What are the unintentional radiation limits in U.S. HF bands?

What are the radiation limits in U.S. HF bands in terms, not in terms of uV/M, but in dBm or uV levels transmitted though an HF dipole antenna? I assume that if the antenna is connected to a receiver ...
hotpaw2's user avatar
  • 13.5k
2 votes
3 answers
465 views

Store and forward system like voicemail for hams

I want to be able to get in touch with hams in my area when we are not both on air at the same time, but are close enough to each other for VHF communication. I want to be able to use my radio to call ...
OrangePeel52's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
170 views

Is A7RW a legal call sign?

I've seen a reference to the callsign A7RW. I can't find it in the FCC database or by searching the ARRL. Is it a legitimate US callsign?
Roy Willis's user avatar
18 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why are proprietary codecs used in amateur radio?

This may be slightly off topic (maybe there's a Legal Stack Exchange :-D), but how is it that codecs like Yaesu's C4FM are allowed to be proprietary while still being used on Amateur bands? At the ...
Joshua Nozzi W4JLN's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
627 views

Does the FCC e-mail when a vanity call sign is approved?

I submitted an application for a vanity call sign a little over 18 days ago, and it's marked "pending". I presume that it will be processed soon, but the FCC's ULS search page is being slow ...
chrylis -cautiouslyoptimistic-'s user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
406 views

Will the feds show up to my door? Is there a way to not get in trouble?

Ok so I am in the USA, and I have just bought a BFTECH BF-F5XP. I have a couple of questions. First of all, could I make my own Privacy code (Interference prevention code), and channels? What I am ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
109 views

Will Brexit have any impact on UK recognition of foreign licenses

As a US license holder (and duel citizen of the US and UK) I know that I can operate in the UK for a couple of months using the M/W2*** prefix, while holding Amateur Extra, but I cannot apply for a UK ...
Paul Brennan's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
184 views

Anytone 878 UV Commercial license?

This radio has a commercial mode but no where that I can find does it describe which commercial license. Looking at the tag under the battery... FCC ID T4KD887UV https://fccid.io/T4KD878UV ...so part ...
NonYaBidnezz's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
339 views

Is the 1.5kW power limit per antenna? What about antenna arrays?

My son KJ7NLL just got his general, and while we don't (yet?) have plans to transmit at 1.5kW, he asks if the 1.5kW limit is per-antenna? If it is per-antenna, and you use an antenna array of 8 ...
KJ7LNW's user avatar
  • 759
0 votes
2 answers
5k views

Can you use 144mhz and below without a license with a Baofeng

I have a Baofeng and all the people that I have asked said that I can use 144mhz and below without a license but what I see on the internet is that I can’t use the Baofeng without a license at all can ...
EthanF125 's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
100 views

License document requirements

Are there any requirements to post, carry, or have available an official paper copy of one's radio license in order to operate in the U.S.? Do any states require physical possession of a printed ...
hotpaw2's user avatar
  • 13.5k
7 votes
2 answers
455 views

Using radio for musical collaboration -- the line between conversation and broadcasting

I'd like to collaborate (e.g. play together) with other musicians in my local area and/or beyond. Coronavirus has made in-person collaboration difficult. Latency makes internet-based collaboration ...
mathandy's user avatar
  • 171
0 votes
0 answers
36 views

Using radio for musical collaboration [duplicate]

I'd like to collaborate (e.g. play together) with other musicians in my local area and/or beyond. Coronavirus has made in-person collaboration difficult. Latency makes internet-based collaboration ...
mathandy's user avatar
  • 171
0 votes
2 answers
645 views

Where can I find a table listing the maximum PEP per band?

I'm building myself an Excel Cheat Sheet.
NonYaBidnezz's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
580 views

Is it legal for an unlicensed person to transmit as long as they are under the direct supervision of a licensed amateur?

Based on another question here, I think it is legal, but I would like it directly from the people who know. Thank you for your time.
The Blender Bender's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

Change of Address and Callsign Zone

I'm about to permanently move to another US state, which is in another callsign zone. Will I be forced to get a new callsign in the new zone? Also, when I started, when one was traveling in another ...
Bill Foote's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
779 views

When are licenses required for 900 MHz operation in the US? When are they not required?

Forgive me if this is not the proper forum, but I am an electrical engineer and a total radio novice. I am designing a product that may contain off-the-shelf industrial radios that act as repeater ...
Bort's user avatar
  • 111
4 votes
2 answers
271 views

Is the Alinco DJMD5 illegal for ham use?

I am quite interested in buying the Alinco DJMD5TGP as it seems like a full-featured radio for a low price. And I have already started studying for my Technician license so I can transmit. And then I ...
The Blender Bender's user avatar
13 votes
4 answers
14k views

Are Baofeng radios illegal in the U.S?

Having a low price budget, my search for my first ham radio to buy has led me towards Baofeng. A quick Google search on baofeng showed a lot of results that said that certain model baofeng handhelds ...
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
4k views

Can a ham license be used for a job?

If you get a ham license, can you, later on, get a job with that license, or at least display it on a resume? Or are there further licenses after ham radio licenses?
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
101 views

Are there restrictions placed on transmissions in licensed spectrum in the United States?

If I obtain a license to a chunk of spectrum, are there any limitations on what I can do in that spectrum? For example, would I need to declare to the FCC my intentions for using the spectrum (e.g. ...
awelkie's user avatar
  • 109
6 votes
2 answers
7k views

What are the regulation requirements for running a repeater?

When I try to find information on the requirements to run a repeater, I just see a lot of results related to building one. But I'm wondering about USA regulations. Does one need a particular license?...
Bort's user avatar
  • 215
3 votes
4 answers
3k views

GMRS Call Sign for Technician

I have a GMRS License and am currently studying for my Technician License. Once I pass the exam, can I use my GMRS Call Sign?
ThePGH's user avatar
  • 31
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Do FCC obscenity regulations apply to ham radio transmissions?

In particular when ham-sters are using the VHF or UHF bands and talking to each other through repeaters(as well as local radio nets). But also what about DXing? Do FCC obscenity regulations apply ...
Mr X's user avatar
  • 143

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