Questions tagged [united-states]
Questions specific to rules, regulations, and practices in the United States of America.
3
votes
1answer
34 views
A question about callsign formats
I just passed my technician exam (yay!) and received my callsign from the FCC (KC1KHV). I was surprised by the two letter prefix, which seems to come from the class D group. According to the FCC ...
5
votes
3answers
119 views
Is HAM the only non-criminal/civil broadcasting a person can do that doesn't own a shortwave radio station?
I do not understand. Is ham radio the only legal way to broadcast on shortwave radio? I mean for a "regular" person, not a million dollar radio station. I saw lots of shortwave broadcasting ...
5
votes
1answer
135 views
How do I legally use a Baofeng UV-5R radio for communication?
I'm new to radios. Only ever used them for squad communication in airsoft. I have two Baofeng UV-5R handhelds and would like to use them this week to communicate on a family camping trip with no cell ...
1
vote
3answers
167 views
Amateur Radio Long Distance Data Communication
My friends and I are going off to college ~180 miles/290 kilometres apart. As a project, we are looking into creating a data communication connection between our two schools. Our requirements would be:...
3
votes
4answers
149 views
Non-life-threatening emergency in the US?
The minivan in front of us blew a tire and pulled over, a long way away from mobile signal. We couldn't find a spare tire. I have a Technician license; if I'd had my Baofeng BF-F9 V2 with me, is there ...
6
votes
2answers
145 views
Are old USA amateur radio licenses in the public FCC database?
My old man worked in avionics for 30+ years and taught me nearly everything I know about radios, like how a superheterodyne receiver works, how the ionosphere refracts signals, etc. He grew up only a ...
2
votes
2answers
139 views
Amateur Radio for Science Fair
Can I use an amateur radio for a science fair? If so, do I need to prove that I have an active license?
7
votes
1answer
259 views
Do FCC regulations limit digital data rate?
Are there FCC regulations that specifically limit digital data rate on the amateur bands? Are there any recent or proposed changes? If so, what are they specifically?
-3
votes
1answer
60 views
where to look for (live or recorded) air traffic conversations for a specific area? [closed]
I am wondering if there's any chance to get a short fragment of ATC/pilot radio exchange of any flight to/from small airport of Talkeetna (Alaska). This airport seems to be not present on liveatc.net, ...
8
votes
2answers
194 views
Full UK license visiting US: Can I use frequencies in US but not UK license?
E.g.:
7.2-7.3MHz are Region 2 but not Region 1. My license is "from" Region 1.
1.25 meter band is not available in the UK
Operating from aircraft is not permitted in the UK. Would it be if I visited ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Is it possible to get a set of radios that will work 10 Miles in suburbs? [duplicate]
I don’t have much experience with radios, but I was wondering if it would possible to have two CB or GMRS radios that will connect to each other over 8-12 Miles og distance? My budget is about $175. ...
4
votes
2answers
133 views
Using a Deceased Club Member's Call Sign for Field Day
The Secretary of our club passed away unexpectedly last week. With Field Day rapidly approaching in the U.S., the board is wondering if there is any legitimate way for the club to use the deceased ...
6
votes
1answer
82 views
USA/callsigns: Why is California region 6? And the midwest in regions 7-9?
I don't quite understand the regional callsign system for the USA. At first it seems to make sense with CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT being region 1 and then going west NJ and NY are region 2, and then ...
6
votes
1answer
71 views
Is using /AE compulsory?
I'm taking the exam to upgrade my licence to Extra soon, but I'm concerned the ULS might not update in time for Field Day, when I'm supposed to be supervising (and using my call-sign for) my club's ...
3
votes
1answer
70 views
Is there any point to keep the CSCE after the FCC registers the upgrade?
Is there any point to keeping the CSCE form after the FCC registers the exam/upgrade in its database? I'm trying to go paperless in my old age and if there's no reason not to have the paper copy, into ...
6
votes
1answer
158 views
What changes are being made to the Technician question pool in 2018?
On 2018 July 1, the FCC's question pool for the Technician class license will be changing.
Has anyone written up a summary of the updates or made a list of differences from the previous pool? What ...
5
votes
1answer
133 views
Is there a legal limit to the bandwidth of a signal used in the amateur bands?
While a normal voice channel is ~10kHz-15kHz in bandwidth, some digital modes can be significantly wider.
Are there any legal restrictions on how much bandwidth I could use for amateur radio ...
2
votes
1answer
130 views
Legality of short “jingles” [duplicate]
Every time I check into a net, there is a short "tune" before the net to announce the net is starting on a repeater. Here is a recording:
http://kd0whb.duckdns.org/id/preamble.m4a
After hearing the ...
3
votes
2answers
80 views
Testing requirements for 5 year old tech license to take general exam
Will I need to take the Technician exam again when I test for General if my Technician license is over 4 years old?
6
votes
2answers
92 views
Ham Technician Exam Material
I would like to prepare for the Technician exam. I think I read somewhere that the ham Technician exam has material that is revised every 4 years. And that the new set of questions will be coming ...
1
vote
2answers
62 views
What knowledge is essential for USA Technician license? [closed]
I am taking the test for my first USA Amateur Technicians license on Saturday.
I've been studying and give myself a good (90%) chance that I'll pass the test.
Since many of you have successfully ...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
what frequencies can i transmit on without a license in NM? [duplicate]
thanks for the answer i love ham radios.
1
vote
2answers
94 views
Linkable lists of call signs in a specific zip code
I've been trying to build a ham related website. I'm looking for a list of call signs. Here's the trick: I need the URL to change based on the zip code. I want to be able to put the link on a page, ...
3
votes
2answers
169 views
What is the legality of data modes over UHF/VHF in the US?
Cheap & simple transceivers are readily available online that allow you to transmit serial data over UHF/VHF frequencies such as 433MHz (approximate range of 1000m). It seems that these are ...
4
votes
2answers
100 views
Wireless temperature data logger in the USA on 433MHz
I'm a newly licensed ham tech. I am trying to figure out if I am doing everything correctly to setup a wireless temperature monitoring station that uses the 70cm band (specifically 433.4MHz) in the ...
1
vote
3answers
142 views
Weird Harmonic Issue on Raspberry PI FM Transmitter
So I talked to my neighbor about my Raspberry PI, harmonics and his emergency radio. He told me to fire it up, as we saw the FCC sticker on it, meaning it is in compliance with Part 15. I started my ...
0
votes
1answer
96 views
Legality of relay through a scanner in the US
I would like to know if it's ok to transmit amateur radio frequencies via my HT through a Bearcat police scanner to someone that has an FRS radio, and in turn they respond on their FRS radio which my ...
6
votes
1answer
102 views
How strictly is “the end of each communication” defined for the purpose of station identification?
I often hear people say brief statements or sentences after giving their callsign for the final time. Examples that I have heard on the air are:
"[callsign] clear"
"[callsign] listening"
"[callsign] ...
3
votes
2answers
187 views
Who should announce the call sign when an unlicensed operator is transmitting?
If an unlicensed operator is operating phone on an amateur frequency under the direct supervision of a licensed operator for, say, longer than ten minutes, should the unlicensed operator say the call ...
6
votes
6answers
278 views
Can I talk 2 Meter VHF across the United States
Can I talk on 2 meters from the east coast to the west coast without using repeaters?
5
votes
2answers
95 views
How to get professional or official clarification of FCC Part 97 rules for specific complicated situations?
I'm specifically focusing this question on methods to get official clarification where one doesn't currently exist. I am not asking this audience for interpretations.
As part of my volunteer work ...
3
votes
1answer
493 views
Is Part 90 certification something an amateur radio operator should look for in a radio meant for amateur use?
I'm checking out cheap (~$100) mobile radios on Amazon, and often times there's a question asking about FFC Part 90 certification.
As an amateur radio operator looking to use a radio for amateur/...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
Can an American licence operate in Portugal during a visit?
I have an American ham radio Extra licence (AC1DM) and I'm going to Portugal for a few days. Can I operate there with my licence? I'm not an American citizen.
3
votes
2answers
314 views
Can you request a vanity call sign when passing the exam?
In the US, just after passing your exam for Technician, General and/or Extra if you didn't have a call sign to begin with, can you request a vanity one right away or do you have to wait until one is ...
8
votes
2answers
148 views
Why is this requirement in 60m in the US?
According to the FCC, if you are using an antenna other than a dipole, in 60 meters, you must keep a record of the transmission and gain of the antenna.
I don't remember seeing any other requirement ...
1
vote
2answers
142 views
Section 15.23 “Home-built devices” No license required… to build? Just to Transmit. But…?
Title 47 › Chapter I › Subchapter A › Part 15 › Subpart A › Section 15.23 Home-built devices
§15.23 Home-built devices.
(a) Equipment authorization is not required for devices that are not ...
1
vote
1answer
143 views
Recommendation for noob
I don't yet have any radio equipment but I find this hobby interesting and would like to learn more. I'm looking for something that isn't too basic and will keep my interest without spending too much. ...
10
votes
3answers
329 views
Resort FM radio station
I stayed at a resort in the U.S. recently that is located in an unpopulated area with virtually no radio reception. To fill the gap, the resort has its own FM station that can be heard only within ...
1
vote
1answer
202 views
Should I upgrade to Extra Class [closed]
I've held an Advanced Class license for almost 20 years now. I've recently been kicking around the idea of biting the bullet and upgrading to Extra. I know they lifted the code requirement. Part of me ...
5
votes
2answers
838 views
How often are we required to send our callsign?
Amateurs on the radio and online tell us we MUST ID at the start of our transmissions.
A couple of hams on 75m sometimes take me to task for not saying my callsign right away.
'The FCC says so'.
Is ...
3
votes
1answer
52 views
What are FCC/Industry Canada certification requirements for amateur radio related products?
I know for part 15 licensed devices, there's special FCC certification, and something similar on the Canadian side. What about for amateur radio transmitters? They follow part 97 laws, and it's the ...
6
votes
3answers
235 views
License upgrade doesn't extend term of license?
I just upgraded my license to Extra about a week and a half ago, so perhaps I'm supposed to know this. The FCC database shows my upgrade to Extra, but the expiration date and callsign haven't changed....
1
vote
3answers
151 views
Easy way for an uncertified hiker to broadcast a distress signal
I am wondering whether shortwave can be used as an effective distress call for a hiker who is a non-ham operator.
More specifically,
Are non-certified operators permitted to broadcast distress calls ...
2
votes
2answers
168 views
How do I apply for a vanity callsign online?
ARRL indicates that you can apply for vanity callsigns online by "by connecting to the FCC's web site[ and clicking] on the icon entitled “Online Filing LOG IN”".
I can't seem to see any mention of ...
6
votes
2answers
220 views
How to renew an expired US license as an expat?
I've been living as an expat for a decade, and my extra class license expired a little more than a year ago. I'm currently in Taiwan.
Is it possible to renew my license while staying here? Can I do ...
2
votes
1answer
226 views
Use amateur radio frequencies for commercial purpose
Can I use amateur radio frequency for commercial purpose (after acquiring ham license), expecting that it would be congestion free band and give me good broadcasting performance compared to other ...
1
vote
2answers
435 views
I upgraded from Tech to General and renewed at same time but my license still says Tech
Last week I upgraded and renewed my license at the same time. I did this by returning the form through W5YI. The form was complete with authorization of the upgrade by my local VEC.
The problem is ...
2
votes
3answers
278 views
legal - Do FCC regulations only apply in U.S.A?
I currently do not live in the USA. I would like to find out if I still have to abide by FCC regulations.
6
votes
2answers
600 views
Is there any downside to getting a vanity callsign?
I just got my HAM license, and I have been thinking about getting a 1×3 vanity that I can remember more easily.
This question is partially in reference to this passage on the FCC site:
A club ...
1
vote
2answers
109 views
V/U Packet Rate Limits
I'm studying for the General exam and I've encountered some questions about maximum baud rates on various bands. They seem... extremely optimistic. Given the trouble I've had investigating 9600 baud ...
