Questions tagged [united-states]
Questions specific to rules, regulations, and practices in the United States of America.
287
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How do you map old FCC license classes to the new 3-class system?
A lot of resources, including this ubiquitous (and otherwise very useful) band chart from the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) refer to the older FCC license system which had Novice, Technician, ...
- 169
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1
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74
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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 ...
- 403
3
votes
1
answer
94
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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.
- 281
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2
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1k
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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 ...
- 41
3
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1
answer
74
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Is a club call sign with a suffix (i.e. /GOTA) permissible for a Field Day GOTA station?
The 2017 Field Day GOTA Station FAQ states "The GOTA station uses a callsign different from the call used by the group’s main Field Day operation. The GOTA station must use the same, single ...
- 183
1
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1
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121
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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 ...
- 281
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2
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141
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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 ...
- 281
2
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2
answers
373
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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 ...
- 403
3
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3
answers
127
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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; ...
- 133
2
votes
2
answers
80
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 ...
- 21
5
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2
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119
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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 ...
- 53
1
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1
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102
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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 ...
- 11
6
votes
1
answer
160
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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 ...
- 161
13
votes
1
answer
1k
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Hanging a dipole from a tree not code compliant?
I just got off the phone with my town's electrical inspector (in Massachusetts), and he informed me that you are not allowed to hang anything electrical from "vegetation". He said if I did ...
- 367
3
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1
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488
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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 ...
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2
votes
1
answer
125
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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 ...
- 343
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1
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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 ...
- 12.6k
2
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6
answers
132
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Extra Class Requirements and Study Guides for a General Class operator
I've had my general class license for 20 years. I never progressed farther. This was back when you had to learn morse code at 13 WPM for General.
I'm just curious what the procedures are to upgrade ...
- 129
2
votes
3
answers
206
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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 ...
- 133
4
votes
1
answer
140
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?
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17
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3
answers
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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 ...
4
votes
1
answer
266
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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 ...
1
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4
answers
314
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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 ...
user18671
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90
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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 ...
- 183
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vote
1
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130
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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 ...
- 343
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vote
1
answer
59
views
Is a Foundation or Intermediate license from the UK recognised in the US?
I know that a Full license is recognised in the US, but is the same true for a Foundation or Intermediate license? On the surface they look equivalent to the US Technician and General licenses, so are ...
- 13
4
votes
2
answers
271
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 ...
- 307
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2
answers
1k
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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 ...
0
votes
1
answer
147
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DMR code plug for Anytone d878uv
Just moved from SoCal and there were sites out there for exchanging code plugs for the Anytone 878uv. I was wondering if there are similar sites for the northeast of the US. I would love to get a ...
- 183
4
votes
2
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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 ...
- 12.6k
6
votes
2
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318
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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 ...
- 161
0
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0
answers
34
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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 ...
- 161
1
vote
2
answers
379
views
Can you receive GPS coordinates from a Garmin Astro dog collar on a handheld ham radio that has APRS?
I want to get a Garmin Astro 320 (or 430) which transmits GPS coordinates to a Garmin handheld unit on frequency 151.820-ish and 154.600-ish. But I would like to have the Garmin Astro GPS collar on ...
0
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2
answers
258
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Where can I find a table listing the maximum PEP per band?
I'm building myself an Excel Cheat Sheet.
- 343
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1
answer
93
views
Would the same callsign be issued after a license has fully lasped?
My license is set to expire in a couple of days. I know there is a grace period but I'd like to know if I were to take an exam after the grace period I would be reassigned the same callsign or a new ...
- 121
3
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1
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233
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.
5
votes
1
answer
852
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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 ...
- 153
1
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1
answer
276
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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 ...
- 111
0
votes
3
answers
178
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Virtual Testing | How would it be done
How would testing be done on Zoom? Or would testing be pushed off until after COVID-19?
3
votes
2
answers
183
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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 ...
11
votes
3
answers
11k
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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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
79
views
Podcasts for Technician Test
Is there a podcast to listen to that teaches in-depth the technician class questions? All I could find is podcasts that just read the questions and answers. Is there a podcast that goes in-depth to ...
5
votes
1
answer
131
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Transmitting Callsigns
I started learning for my technician test and I noticed one of the FCC guidelines is that you have to
Transmit your callsign at the beginning of radio contact, and every 10 minutes
How does ...
6
votes
7
answers
292
views
Space Requirements
As I progress in my path to getting a ham license I notice that a lot of radio enthusiasts avidly talk about their radio shacks (or do they call it cabins?).
Do I need that much space to start?
Do I ...
5
votes
1
answer
182
views
What does a License look like?
What does the HAM license look like?
Is it a card? A document?
All I could find on google is ham radio license plates.
11
votes
4
answers
4k
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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?
4
votes
2
answers
89
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Equipment Pricing
I am wondering about the exact pricing of kits. What is the range of each radio? How long do they last? Should I buy a portable or not? My complete budget is $100.
5
votes
3
answers
503
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Getting Started In Ham Radio
I'm 13 years old. I hear all the fuss about ham radio how awesome it is. I really want to join, but I hear you have to get a certification.
How much does it cost?
How long does it take?
How much does ...
0
votes
2
answers
91
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. ...
- 109
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how do get a duplicate of my radio amateur license KP4CSJ
My call KP4CSJ (general) I will like to get a copy or duplicate of my license. I lost my and i will like to to hang it in may shack. I am an old timer ham radio over 50 years.
Thanks for your help
