More FCC Part 97 Questions

Wayne Murley - WA4BJY - brought an article from World Radio Magazine to the WTARS August Meeting. This article was written by John B. Johnson - W3BE- in the 'Rules & Regs' feature addressing interpretation questions relating to FCC part 97. Good topics for discussion during rag chew sessions:

Question: Suppose that I have an Amateur Extra Class and visit a station with a lower class license and I want to operate. Who is the control operator?

Answer: That is for the station licensee to designate.

Question: Whose call sign is used?

Answer: Use the call sign assigned on the station license grant under which the station transmits. Section 97.119 requires that it must be transmitted in the station identification announcement.

Question: Whose privileges would have precedent?

Answer: The control operator's class of operator license determines the frequency bands available to the station. See Section 97.301. Section 97.301(a) says that the station licensee is responsible for the proper operation of the station in accordance with the FCC Rules.

Question: What I take from your article regarding Field Day is that a licensed person can only operate under his license privileges when alone, regardless of the club station license, and that he may only exceed his license privileges up to those of the control operator who is physically present at the operating position. Is this correct?

Answer: No, that is not correct. No one is authorized to exceed his or her operator privileges on Field Day, Groundhog Day, Dill Pickle Festival Day or any other day!

Question: Doesn't the fact that I am sitting right next to this person mean I am the control operator?

Answer: No, it dosen't. The control perator of an amateur station can only be the person so designated by the licensee of the station under the authority of Section 97.103(b)