CW-ID Question

[njemt7212]

Hey Guys,

cant seem to get a straight answer. My Local Squad runs only on simplex based channel. No repeater. Some of the older members say that we never used automatic ID and just did the daily radio check which was once every 12 hours.

We are beginning narrow band and would like to straighten out our license and confirm we are within FCC compliance.

Do we need to station ID? I would like to just simply re-program our MTR2000 to enable it.

 

[mrkelso]

The Ham repeaters have to ID every 10 minutes, my local PD ID's about the same.

 

[n5ims]

Check with the FCC rules for Part-90 to confirm what exactly your local squad will need to do (perhaps have the folks doing your narrow-band license changes handle this and pass along the rules you'll need to follow). An exerpt of some related sections are below (note this has been edited for space and you'll need to follow the complete rule set) to help you see how close your current policy matches.

The rules don't require a CW-ID, but this can automate the process. The ID can also be made by voice as part of the normal transmissions if desired.

Sec. 90.425 Station identification.

Stations licensed under this part shall transmit identification in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) Identification procedure. Except as provided for in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, each station or system shall be identified by the transmission of the assigned call sign during each transmission or exchange of transmissions, or once each 15 minutes (30 minutes in the Public Safety Pool) during periods of continuous operation.

(d) General exemptions. A station need not transmit identification if:

(1) It is a mobile station operating on the transmitting frequency of the associated base station.

(2) It is a mobile station in the Public Safety Pool using F1E or G1E emission.

 

[GTR8000]

The key phrase in 90.425 is "during periods of continuous operation"

If the radios sit idle most of the time, as many do unless you're running a high volume of calls, then you are not required to ID at a predetermined interval. To be really blunt about it, the FCC doesn't go after public safety agencies for not ID'ing on their frequencies. They might bother a large and busy metro 911 or dispatch center whose frequencies are constantly in use and they never ID, but even that is a stretch. Don't get too worked up over it.

That being said, you could encourage your members to give the call signs from time to time, perhaps when signing off the air after a run. Or you could just enable the CWID feature on your base station, but I'd set it for no less than every 30 minutes, which is what the FCC calls for Part 90 Public Safety licenses.

 

[kf8yk]

Another option for public safety part 90 users:

90.425(a)(4) Allows public safety users to satisfy ID requirements by just using the name of the licensee, no need for dispatchers or users to remember FCC callsigns.

The name still has to be given at least once every 30 min. the frequency is active. An easy way to meet the requirement is to call your dispatch center the same as your license name i.e. 'Mayberry Dispatch'

 

[cmdrwill]

90.425 a (4) Use of an identifier other than the assigned call sign. (i) In the
Public Safety Pool, mobile units licensed to a governmental entity and which
operate on frequencies above 30 MHz may use an identifier which contains, at
a minimum, the name of the licensee if the licensee maintains at the station
a list of the special identifiers to be used by the mobile units.

 

[902]

Although there are many ways of sliding under the radar, the right thing to do is follow the rules in identifying. Like it or not, your professionalism on the radio reflects on your organization. You can tell just by listening when an organization presents itself as being tight or seems to be barely in control.

On a simplex system, sending a CWID at a predetermined interval chews airtime and will potentially block traffic - especially in NJ where there is heavy re-use by relatively close unrelated systems. The best thing in most cases is to simply say the call letters every half hour during the time the system is being used.

I would recommend programming your MTR2000 to NOT ID and to have a time-out timer that's no longer than 180 seconds (3 minutes).

 

[Tech792]

The key phrase in 90.425 is "during periods of continuous operation"

the FCC doesn't go after public safety agencies for not ID'ing on their frequencies. They might bother a large and busy metro 911 or dispatch center whose frequencies are constantly in use and they never ID, but even that is a stretch. Don't get too worked up over it.

Thats what I use to say. Not any more. The FCC has tagged a few PS users out this way lately for doing just that. I read an article recently that stated the FCC is stepping up enforcement to help generate more $$$.

 

[IowaGuy1603]

Another option for public safety part 90 users:

90.425(a)(4) Allows public safety users to satisfy ID requirements by just using the name of the licensee, no need for dispatchers or users to remember FCC callsigns.

The name still has to be given at least once every 30 min. the frequency is active. An easy way to meet the requirement is to call your dispatch center the same as your license name i.e. 'Mayberry Dispatch'

That is pretty much the way MOST public safety systems work here in Iowa.

I hardly ever hear a call sign on County systems anymore. State Police still has a CW ID on but not the counties.

 

[LtDoc]

The local PD use a CW ID. It's implimented in such a way that if it happens to fall during a voice transmission, it 'waits' till the frequency is clear and then repeats it's self. At times, there can be several of those 'waiting' periods before an ID is sent. It works, doesn't depend on a dispatcher remembering to do the IDing.
CW IDs are fairly fast, around 20 wpm give or take a little. There used to me a maximum speed for that CW, but I have no idea if it's still in effect.
If there's no repeaters involved, and if there's no activity, there's really no particular need to ID.
Lot's of exceptions to all this, it's a very good idea to read the current rules!
- 'Doc