Transmitting outside the ham bands

[mmckenna]

Don't.

The actions of this individual were discussed quite a bit back in 2021 when this happened. Said individual wanted the fines reduced or eliminated by the FCC since he did them in "good faith". FCC has disagreed:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-134A1.pdf

In other words, once again the FCC is making it clear that amateur radio operators do NOT have permission to transmit outside the ham bands. Part 97 rules grant no permissions outside the amateur radio bands.

previous discussion:

FCC wants to fine Idaho man $34K for interfering in radio transmissions during wildfire

www.idahostatesman.com/news/northwest/idaho/article262296727.html

forums.radioreference.com

 

[kb1fua]

Don't.

The actions of this individual were discussed quite a bit back in 2021 when this happened. Said individual wanted the fines reduced or eliminated by the FCC since he did them in "good faith". FCC has disagreed:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-134A1.pdf

In other words, once again the FCC is making it clear that amateur radio operators do NOT have permission to transmit outside the ham bands. Part 97 rules grant no permissions outside the amateur radio bands.

previous discussion:

FCC wants to fine Idaho man $34K for interfering in radio transmissions during wildfire

www.idahostatesman.com/news/northwest/idaho/article262296727.html

forums.radioreference.com

This falls under FAFO, or "play stupid games, win stupid prizes".
There is always one...always.

 

[WB5UOM]

Oh theres more than one

 

[mmckenna]

There is always one...always.

There's more than one. I've run across several hams that think a 35 question multiple choice test somehow makes the license holder a first responder.

Ideally, hams would understand this and the FCC wouldn't need to fine them to get the point across. Yet, they keep doing it.

What's interesting is that they could have done this all under Part 90 rules, but they appear to be making a point of including his ham call sign and mentioning 'amateur radio' several times in the document. FCC is absolutely trying to make this 100% clear for the hams in the back row that weren't paying attention.

The FCC Chairwoman had a pretty good comment on this, for those that are still confused:

But their efforts were thwarted by an amateur radio operator who was unlawfully transmitting on frequencies dedicated to public safety.​

​

You can’t interfere with public safety communications. Full stop. So today we propose the largest fine of its type for this interference that put fire suppression and public safety itself at risk.​

 

[WB5UOM]

And the fact that this even has to be discussed is really sad. smh.
but, it wont stop....

 

[kayn1n32008]

This falls under FAFO, or "play stupid games, win stupid prizes".
There is always one...always.

There will be more. You can count on it. The number of hams that think in an 'emergency' all the rules go out the window is amazing.

Still see hams wanting to do the Mars mod on their radios 'just in case'

 

[alcahuete]

As long as the largest advocacy group for amateur radio keeps promoting the yellow vests and whackerism, this is going to continue.

 

[WB5UOM]

Well, its not just those folk doing that.I was aware of a "ham type" that worked for a public safety agency.
I had the chance to add a frequency in to 2 or 3 of their patrol cars for a demo, and when I read the radio, it was loaded up with every ham repeater in the area, plus simplex frequencies...
A bird told me that the plan was if the public safety side went down, they would switch over to the ham. lol
What a circus.

 

[mmckenna]

As long as the largest advocacy group for amateur radio keeps promoting the yellow vests and whackerism, this is going to continue.

ARRL really skrew'd the pooch with that one. I lost respect for them when they continued with that nonsense, and as far as I know, they never made any attempt to correct it. Someone in their editorial department should have nixed that whole thing before it ever touched paper.

 

[mmckenna]

Well, its not just those folk doing that.I was aware of a "ham type" that worked for a public safety agency.
I had the chance to add a frequency in to 2 or 3 of their patrol cars for a demo, and when I read the radio, it was loaded up with every ham repeater in the area, plus simplex frequencies...
A bird told me that the plan was if the public safety side went down, they would switch over to the ham. lol
What a circus.

Makes me wonder if some ham told them it was "OK" in an emergency.

There really needs to be some better controls in place when it comes to touching public safety systems. Some basic training, back ground checks, and some amount of integrity should be required.

 

[K9KLC]

All the time I read hams can "do this and do that" in the event of an "emergency"....At one time I was proud to be a ham, today, not so much. Give away tests, no knowledge needed and 20 buck CCC radios....this was bound to happen.

 

[KevinC]

As long as the largest advocacy group for amateur radio keeps promoting the yellow vests and whackerism, this is going to continue.

That’s why I switched to hi-viz orange.

 

[d119]

There's more than one. I've run across several hams that think a 35 question multiple choice test somehow makes the license holder a first responder.

Or an "FCC Certified Technician".

 

[KK4JUG]

I was bored and read the forfeiture order. It looks like the legal eagles pretty much covered all the bases, too. Every bit of whine that was poured into the man's pleas was discussed and the Commission justified their actions.

Incidentally, I'm retired now but I still have the yellow vest. Mine says "POLICE," though.

 

[rescuecomm]

The testing is far too easy.

 

[vagrant]

What's that! My Amateur FCC license covered under Part 97 does not automagically allow me to transmit on Part 90 frequencies I'm not licensed for?! Come on! The verbiage in my Part 97 license only applies to Part 97 frequencies? That means in an emergency I can transmit on Amateur Extra frequencies when I'm just a lowly General or Technician, but not on Part 90 frequencies.

Well...well...well

 

[chrismol1]

What I read afterwards this came out, it wasn't only a "good samaritan" with an itchy PTT button finger, the accused owned a commercial radio company with sites in that area of the fire, and was transmitting on the fire frequency with the interference having an interest in those radio sites while referring to himself as "comm tech" as an authority.

The fire chief that stopped what he was doing and tracked this guy down to shut him down, identified items at the location that were of his radio company. The accused claims he stopped and someone else was doing the rest of the interference.

 

[N4DES]

This rule part say's it very clearly, is usually ignored by those who think they have the right to (including the ARRL ECOMM folks), and covers everything wireless, including Part 97. DO NOT operate outside of the band limits awarded by your license or your bank account might be severely drained.

§ 1.903 Authorization required.​

(a) General rule. Stations in the Wireless Radio Services must be used and operated only in accordance with the rules applicable to their particular service as set forth in this title and with a valid authorization granted by the Commission under the provisions of this part, except as specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) Restrictions. The holding of an authorization does not create any rights beyond the terms, conditions and period specified in the authorization. Authorizations may be granted upon proper application, provided that the Commission finds that the applicant is qualified in regard to citizenship, character, financial, technical and other criteria, and that the public interest, convenience and necessity will be served. See §§ 301, 308, and 309, 310 of this chapter.

 

[kb1fua]

What's that! My Amateur FCC license covered under Part 97 does not automagically allow me to transmit on Part 90 frequencies I'm not licensed for?! Come on! The verbiage in my Part 97 license only applies to Part 97 frequencies? That means in an emergency I can transmit on Amateur Extra frequencies when I'm just a lowly General or Technician, but not on Part 90 frequencies.

Well...well...well

🤣Automagically🤣 Hilarious!!

 

[bill4long]

There will be more. You can count on it. The number of hams that think in an 'emergency' all the rules go out the window is amazing.

Still see hams wanting to do the Mars mod on their radios 'just in case'

Not the same thing