Radio Stuff

[CraginS]

In the past few months I have had more than one conversation with PG pilots about the need to obtain proper amateur radio (ham) licenses if they wish to use 2 meter radios. There seems to be an attitude among at least some of that community that the FCC rules requiring those licenses do not apply to them. They see the situation as one in which they, just as in flying, are willingly assuming a risk, and are willing to face the consequences should they get caught.
As an aside, I wish to point out that the FCC requirement for licenses to operate in the amateur bands are driven, among other things, by U.S. obligations under international communications treaties.
Well, the OZ Report has offered another commentary on the issue of unlicensed radio operators. I am placing it below in its entirety, for those too lazy to click on a link and jump to
http://ozreport.com/blog.php#2006-11-13_1:29:50pm_PST

Now, PLEASE, all radio operators still without a ham license, get off your tail, abandon your scofflaw attitude, and go get your dang license. It is free. It is easy. If you use Ralph's study program you are certain to pass.
When you operate without a license, you embarrass all local HG and PG pilots. Your actions reflect on us all.
Be a contributing member of the flying community, and a good member of the ham community, too.

Thanks, all.


Cragin
-----------------------------------
Ham Radio

Hams

They are listening N28+31.982',+W081+50.800',+Quest+Air(Quest Air)

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/11/06/100/

Loaded for Bear: FCC Issues Warnings Regarding Unlicensed Use of Ham Bands NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 6, 2006 -- The FCC has warned several individuals that unlicensed use of Amateur Radio transmitting equipment on 2 meters to facilitate their bear hunting activities is illegal and may result in substantial fines. FCC Special Counsel in the FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division Riley Hollingsworth warned seven individuals in Grand Marais, Luzerne, Warren, Shelby Township and Newberry, Michigan, on October 19.

"While many hunters use Citizens Band radio or Family Radio Service equipment, the use of Amateur Radio equipment requires a license," Hollingsworth advised. He also sent an Advisory Notice to the Michigan Bear Hunters Association with the suggestion to post it on the Association's Web site.

In a similar situation, the Commission attempted to enlist the aid of a Florida soaring center in spreading the word that glider pilots using its facility also need to avoid unlicensed operation on 2 meters. Hollingsworth asked Quest Air Soaring Center in Groveland to advise its participants that unlicensed use of airborne radio equipment not only violates federal law but causes widespread interference to licensed stations. He suggested the soaring center post the Advisory Notice on its Web site as well.

Thanks to UltraSport.
====================

[CraginS]

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Enforcement Bureau
Spectrum Enforcement Division
1270 Fairfield Road
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325-7245

October 14, 2006

Quest Air Soaring Center
6548 Groveland Airport Road
Groveland, FL 34736

Subject: Advisory Notice -- Unlicensed Radio Operation

Dear Sir:

Information before the Commission indicates that glider pilots using your facility have been using Amateur Radio Service transmitting equipment on the Two Meter frequency band without licenses. Operation on those frequencies requires a license from the Commission.

While we would encourage all glider pilots to use communications equipment of some kind, such as Family Radio Service units, we would appreciate your advising your participants that unlicensed use of airborne radio equipment not only causes widespread interference to licensed stations, but is a violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Section 301, and will subject unlicensed operators to enforcement sanctions including monetary forfeitures (fines). Monetary forfeitures normally range from $7,500 to $10,000.

Thank you for any cooperation you can provide in this matter and please call me at 717-338-2574 if you or your glider pilots or staff have any questions about licensing matters. Feel free to post this letter on your website.

cc: FCC South Central Regional Director
---
source: http://www.arrl.org/news/enforcement_lo ... .html?nc=1

[hang_pilot]

There seems to be an attitude among at least some of that community [PG'ers] that the FCC rules requiring those licenses do not apply to them. They see the situation as one in which they, just as in flying, are willingly assuming a risk, and are willing to face the consequences should they get caught.

Thanks for HAM license reminder, Cragin, but in the future I would personally appreciate if you'd please consider avoiding sweeping statements about one community or another. THANKS! ~Daniel

[charlieg]

I took my Ham test this past Saturday morning and passed -- missed only one question after studying the Technical study manual (several months of "casual" reading in my spare time). One only needs to answer 25 or 26 correctly out of the 35 questions.
Now that I'm "legal," I'd appreciate a little guidance regarding how I should use the radio while I'm flying. My interpretation of my readings is that every 10 minitues I have my radio on I need to repeat my call sign. Is this correct, or is it just if I'm having continuous communications? If just continuous, then I believe I need to announce my call sign every time I stop talking (assuming I won't talk again for 10 minutes). Is there more (or less) to it than this? In my "monitoring only" status up to this point I don't think that I've ever heard one of us - PG or HG - announce their call sign. Maybe not necessary??
Charlie

[Flying Lobster]

I took my Ham test this past Saturday morning and passed -- missed only one question after studying the Technical study manual (several months of "casual" reading in my spare time). One only needs to answer 25 or 26 correctly out of the 35 questions.
Now that I'm "legal," I'd appreciate a little guidance regarding how I should use the radio while I'm flying. My interpretation of my readings is that every 10 minitues I have my radio on I need to repeat my call sign. Is this correct, or is it just if I'm having continuous communications? If just continuous, then I believe I need to announce my call sign every time I stop talking (assuming I won't talk again for 10 minutes). Is there more (or less) to it than this? In my "monitoring only" status up to this point I don't think that I've ever heard one of us - PG or HG - announce their call sign. Maybe not necessary??
Charlie

Good question--and I think this is at the heart of the majority of yahoo complaints--that transmissions--in other words the typical "Oh boy--I got a great one over here, what you getting over there?" kind of back and forth conversations without periodically identifying by callsign--I thought had to be every 15 minutes--maybe it is ten.

marc

[charlieg]

For those wanting to get their license, go to the National Association for Amateur Radio website at http://www.arrl.org. At that site you can type in your zip code and find the locations of sites that are offering tests for getting your Ham license (as well as dates and times) (Level 1 Technician is what you need for our purposes). A great book for preparing for that test is "Now You're Talking!; All you Need for your First Amateur Radio License." It costs about $20. The book has the full set of questions, with answers, (over 500) that are drawn from for the test. 35 questions comprise the test -- you must correctly answer about 26 to pass. I took my test in Alexandria and it was free - not all sites are free - they usually charge a fee.
Charlie

[mcelrah]

The H4 test had a funny question/answer pair on it: USHPA seems to think it is neither advisable nor legal for part 103 ultralites to carry and use AVIATION band radios. Now this is BS and I have always wondered why we don't use aviation radios since we often operate among general aviation aircraft (e.g. at Ridgely - also with sailplanes at Woodstock). There's no test to use aviation band and you don't get local plumbers using those frequencies. There's an air-to-air frequency. I've never heard a good counter-argument... - Hugh