I agree with exkalibur above. Let's apply a little common sense and let the department do what serves their best interest with regards to public safety. Fiddling around about whether rare use of marine radio traffic during an emergency is "violating FCC rules" is senseless.
VHF Marine Radio installed in Fire Department Command Trailer
- Thread starter clifford1
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The correct thing to do would be to get a Marine Utility Station License. 47CFR80.17(a)(5).
"Marine utility station.- A station in the maritime mobile service consisting of one or more handheld radiotelephone units licensed under a single authorization. Each unit is capable of operation while being hand-carried by an individual. The station operates under the rules applicable to ship stations when the unit is aboard a vessel, and under the rules applicable to private coast stations when the unit is on land."
Further more, under 47CFR80.37, Marine utility stations. One station license may be issued to authorize a designated maximum number of marine utility stations operating at temporary unspecified locations, normally in multiples of ten stations when:
(a) The licensee of each station is the same; and
(b) The authorized area of operation of each station is the same.
This way you could cover the unit in the trailer and as many handhelds as you want.
As a govermental public safety agency, you should be doing the right thing. If you are going to do the job, get the license, it is a piece of paper and a small fee and then you are covered and legal.
"Marine utility station.- A station in the maritime mobile service consisting of one or more handheld radiotelephone units licensed under a single authorization. Each unit is capable of operation while being hand-carried by an individual. The station operates under the rules applicable to ship stations when the unit is aboard a vessel, and under the rules applicable to private coast stations when the unit is on land."
Further more, under 47CFR80.37, Marine utility stations. One station license may be issued to authorize a designated maximum number of marine utility stations operating at temporary unspecified locations, normally in multiples of ten stations when:
(a) The licensee of each station is the same; and
(b) The authorized area of operation of each station is the same.
This way you could cover the unit in the trailer and as many handhelds as you want.
As a govermental public safety agency, you should be doing the right thing. If you are going to do the job, get the license, it is a piece of paper and a small fee and then you are covered and legal.
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ecps92
Member
The FCC eliminated the need for a VHF License for Recreational Boaters back in the mid 90's So yes, "a lot of boaters have radios without licenses"
FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: Licensing
FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: Licensing
Yes but he is not useing a marine radio on a boat or other vessel. He is using land based. And the FCC REQUIRES you to have a license for non vessel use. It is cheap and easy to get. Just fill out the form and send it in
ecps92
Member
Wrong. The FCC has a long and glorious history of fining, and even shutting down, local government operations it felt were operating illegally. There are several things they take particularly seriously... improper operation on aviation frequencies, and improper operation on marine frequencies.
As stated previously, it would behoove the OP to get professional advice, the kind you have to pay for, not the ill informed rantings on a hobby oriented website.
code3cowboy
Member
Ask Don (K6CDO) on here. He is the man who can spell the regulations out for you.
jaolson101
Member
So I guess that all the folks I know with VHF marine radios installed in their trucks and their kitchens along the coast are in violation of the law.
WA1ATA
Member
Glad I was able to spark some spirited discussion!
I did contact the FCC and was advised by them to apply for a private coast station license at a temporary fixed location (Station Class FLC2). This can be routinely by filing a Form 601 via the ULS. I will be following up on this shortly.
Thanks again for the tips and help.
Chris C.
I did contact the FCC and was advised by them to apply for a private coast station license at a temporary fixed location (Station Class FLC2). This can be routinely by filing a Form 601 via the ULS. I will be following up on this shortly.
Thanks again for the tips and help.
Chris C.
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