35
votes
On which of these frequencies can I transmit without a license?
None of them.
You say you are in the United States. In general, all radio transmissions fall into one of three categories:
The operator is allowed to transmit on that frequency (amateur, "business ...
- 24.3k
31
votes
Accepted
Why do people say, "get a nickel," on repeaters?
"Getting a nickel" is a reference to how metered pay phones work (worked?). You'd put in some coins, make your call, and when the time you'd payed for expired, the phone operator would ...
- 3,885
20
votes
Are Baofeng radios illegal in the U.S?
The ARRL runs a booth at Dayton Hamvention since 2012 where people can submit their HTs to be tested for spectral purity. Over the years 2016-2019, 100% of the Alinco, Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu HTs ...
- 11.7k
19
votes
Accepted
Is it legal for a non-profit to use ham radios for emergency purposes?
In the United States, Under the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, §97.113 "Prohibited transmissions":
(a) No amateur station shall transmit
(2) Communications for hire or for material ...
- 9,142
18
votes
Accepted
Are Baofeng radios illegal in the U.S?
They are legal to use, but only on the amateur bands. (Of course, you'll need to get a license first).
There was a lot of debate on whether they were legal, but the FCC finally stated that they were. ...
- 7,864
16
votes
Accepted
Hanging a dipole from a tree not code compliant?
225.1 Scope. This article covers requirements for outside branch circuits and feeders run on or between buildings, structures, or poles on the premises; and electrical equipment and wiring for the ...
- 11.7k
14
votes
Accepted
What is the highest US amateur license I can get in one sitting?
Yes, you can take all three exams in sequence at the same session and obtain an Extra class license. (I did and had no trouble.)
Doing this, rather than getting a lower license class and upgrading ...
- 24.3k
13
votes
Accepted
FCC tracking of unlicensed FRS/GMRS transmissions
Are there any documented cases of the FCC actually tracking down and harassing/fining/jailing people for illegal FRS/GMRS transmissions of this sort?
You can browse the Enforcement Bureau's Field ...
- 7,269
13
votes
Accepted
Resort FM radio station
I believe you have encountered a Part 15 radio station.
United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Part 15 (47 CFR 15) covers such things as garage door openers and the like. As such, ...
- 2,079
13
votes
Accepted
Is using /AE compulsory?
The key wording is in 97.9(b) as referenced in 97.119:
...is authorized to exercise the rights and privileges of the higher operator class...
and 97.119 says:
"When the control operator is a ...
- 18.5k
13
votes
Accepted
Why does ARRL license examination procedure preclude students from discovering what questions they got wrong on licensing tests
Having participated as a volunteer examiner in a few test sessions, I think there are a number of reasons this is the case:
We tend to quietly give the pass/fail results — and should offer the number ...
- 7,269
13
votes
Is it legal for a non-profit to use ham radios for emergency purposes?
As I understand it, it's legal under FCC rules for anyone, licensed or not, to use any frequency or mode of radio communication as necessary in an emergency. This includes, but is not limited to, ...
- 4,097
13
votes
Is there any legal recourse against unauthorized usage of a private repeater in the USA?
The short answer seems to be that yes, the FCC apparently does consider the repeater operator's rules as enforceable. They have in the recent past (e.g. 2013 and 2017) sent out official Warning ...
- 7,269
12
votes
What "test transmissions" are allowed above 51MHz?
This is indeed in the FCC regulations. In Part 97, section 305 regarding "Authorized Emission Types" there is the following chart which lists two relevant subbands, see in the VHF group the <...
- 7,269
12
votes
Accepted
Who enacts the FCC's rules and regulations?
There are two different "Title 47"s in play here. Title 47 of the US Code, as referred to by rclocher3, contains laws passed by Congress on the subject of telecommunications. Most interesting for our ...
- 11.7k
12
votes
Accepted
What are the regulation requirements for running a repeater?
The regulations for an amateur radio repeater are fairly minimal. To answer your specific questions:
"Does one need a particular license?" Your license must permit transmissions on the repeater ...
- 286
11
votes
How To Join Packet Radio BBS
A summary of requirements:
Licensing: Technician - very minimal requirements
Equipment: Transceiver, Terminal Node Controller and terminal
Transceiver - traditionally a VHF/UHF FM radio
Terminal ...
- 590
11
votes
Accepted
Why does the FCC put restrictions on symbol rates?
That's a good question---and one that is heavily under debate currently. The FCC originally limited symbol rates as a way of limiting bandwidth for data modes indirectly (it made sense at the time).
...
- 314
11
votes
Accepted
Do FCC regulations limit digital data rate?
The Current FCC Regulations (as of July 2018)
Parts 97.305(c) and 97.307(f) regulate digital modes primarily by symbol rate. The table in 97.305(c) maps bands/frequencies to specific symbol rate ...
- 18.5k
11
votes
Accepted
Is it legal to transmit scrambled or encrypted voice via SSB on ham bands?
In the US, the FCC prohibits this type of operation if the purpose is to obscure the meaning of your transmission.
97.113 Prohibited Transmissions
(4) ... messages encoded for the purpose of ...
- 18.5k
11
votes
Accepted
What happens to your callsign if you migrate?
I have done exactly that.
I had a US amateur extra class license when I moved to Germany. As a legal resident of Germany, I applied for and received a reciprocal (no test required) German license ...
- 18.5k
11
votes
Would a ham license allow me to use an uncertified radio on other (non-ham) bands I have permission to use?
I just purchased a UV-5R to hopefully integrate into business class radios my company uses.
Unfortunately, this is not likely legal.
Business radio is licensed under the FCC's Part 90 rules; those ...
- 7,269
11
votes
Accepted
Can a ham license be used for a job?
The answer is YES!
Nothing in the rules prevents you from using the existence of your license to help you get a job.
If you plan on going into a radio/TV/Cable engineering job, a amateur radio ...
- 266
10
votes
Is there a legal limit to the bandwidth of a signal used in the amateur bands?
Summary:
In all cases, no more bandwidth than necessary. §97.307(a), (b)
In data portions of LF, MF, and HF bands, 500 Hz. §97.3(c)(2)
In the phone portions of LF, MF, and HF bands, no more than &...
- 51.6k
10
votes
Accepted
USA/callsigns: Why is California region 6? And the midwest in regions 7-9?
The origins of the amateur radio call sign districts can be traced to 1912 when the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Navigation created nine radio inspection districts to enforce the 1912 Act to ...
- 18.5k
10
votes
Accepted
Full UK license visiting US: Can I use frequencies in US but not UK license?
You're correct in your understanding about region: given that you're operating in a part of the US that is in Region 2 (there are a few US overseas territories in Region 3), you need to conform to the ...
- 11.7k
10
votes
How do I legally use a Baofeng UV-5R radio for communication?
In the United States, for the most part, all radio transmissions fall into one of three categories:
The operator is allowed to transmit on that frequency (amateur, "business band", aviation, military,...
- 24.3k
10
votes
How to clean up profanity on airwaves
I've heard --from reliable sources-- that about the only thing that can stop that is to make recordings that you can send to the FCC. Include well-thought-out documentation with callsigns, times and ...
- 7,864
10
votes
Testing blind license applicants
When testing applicants that are vision impaired we use versions of the test that do not include any diagrams. I am a VE and there is a state school for the deaf and blind near us so we have had ...
- 1,648
10
votes
Accepted
Does the FCC care about electrical arcs?
Absolutely! FCC Part 15 defines three broad classes of devices:
Intentional radadiator. A device that intentionally generates and emits radio frequency energy by radiation or induction.
Unintentional ...
- 11.7k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible