I'm still looking through the rules, but came across this in the NIFOG that may explain a lack of license:
"2. For FCC licensees, the non-Federal National Interoperability Channels VCALL10-VTAC14 and VTAC33-38, UCALL40-UTAC43D, the 800 MHz interoperability channels, and 8C A L L90-8TAC94D are covered by a “blanket authorization” from the FCC - “Public safety licensees ... can operate mobile units on these interoperability channels without an individual license.” See FCC 00-348, paragraph 90 (released October 10, 2000) for VHF and UHF; see FCC rules 90.421(a)(3) and 90.525(a) for 700 MHz; see FCC 87-112, paragraph 34 (released December 18, 1987), for 800 MHz. When North of Line A or East of Line C the blanket authorization in paragraph 90 of FCC 00-348 applies only to mobile (including hand-held) stations operating with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 3 watts or less. At higher power levels, frequency coordination is required."
"3. You may operate on frequencies authorized to another licensee when that licensee designates you as a unit of their system, in accordance with FCC rule 90.421; or as an authorized user of a shared radio system pursuant to a written agreement as described in FCC rule 90.179."
And in an IMMEDIATE [their emphasis] emergency situation, a part 90 licensee can operate on these frequencies.
Our county was initially issued a STA, then a permanent license after going through a frequency coordination process with RPC 20. Maybe because we also use fixed repeater sites at high power (>3 watts?) IDK. The state EMA coordinates the use of the repeater sites, activating them as required.
As for the discrepancy between the apparently mandated 20K0F3E emission designator and our county's licensed 14K0F3E, doing a search shows most current subscribers do not support 20K0F3E, but do support 14K0F3E in their radios. One Harris radio spec I reviewed stated "14K0F3E @ 20K."
Should the RRDB listing for the 800 interop channels be changed to FM from NFM?