Amateur Radio Stack Exchange
Amateur Radio Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [fcc]

Questions about the practices of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a US government agency that regulates communications, including amateur radio. For questions not about the FCC per se, use [united-states] and either [license] or [legal] as appropriate, instead. For the FCC rules: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-97

Use this tag when you are asking specifically about the FCC itself in a way which is not covered by either or .

61 questions
23
votes
3 answers

What is the body of knowledge the U.S. written exams test?

I'm considering getting a U.S. amateur radio operator license. If you want to study to pass a license test, there are many resources to learn the answers to the entirety of the question pool: online practice exams and study aids, “ham cram” courses,…
Kevin Reid AG6YO
  • 24,195
  • 7
  • 48
  • 101
19
votes
5 answers

FCC sends "Notice of Dismissal" with quite threatening language just for denial of a vanity callsign?

I had applied for a vanity callsign which wasn't available. That was in March. The FCC license system shows my old callsign is still in effect. Today, after a longer absence from my mail, I open a "Notice of Dismissal" which says in a wordy way lots…
Gunther Schadow
  • 405
  • 4
  • 11
18
votes
6 answers

What defines music, per amateur radio regulations?

Sometimes when I access IRLP nodes, they have a very short melody telling you that you are connected; or when my local repeater's net begins, it does the famous doorbell 8-note sequence. What is the fine line of prohibited and allowed with respect…
Skyler 440
  • 7,550
  • 7
  • 48
  • 88
16
votes
4 answers

Does a FCC amateur license cost money?

If I wanted a FCC Amateur license, is this going to cost me anything? That includes tests, application fees, filing fees, and anything else but hardware.
AwesomeUser
  • 263
  • 2
  • 6
15
votes
4 answers

FCC tracking of unlicensed FRS/GMRS transmissions

If a transceiver such as the BaoFeng UV-5R is used to transmit over FRS/GMRS frequencies (unlicensed), it is illegal in the United States due to FCC regulations that state that the power must be <0.5W and that the radio must not have a detachable…
J. Taylor
  • 261
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
14
votes
1 answer

How do I change my registered address with the FCC?

I just moved, and I want to change my registered address with my call-sign. Is there a form or something somewhere that I can fill out? Do I have to mail it, or can I turn it in to the FCC or something electronically? Does it cost anything? What…
Skyler 440
  • 7,550
  • 7
  • 48
  • 88
13
votes
3 answers

Are Baofeng radios illegal in the U.S?

Having a low price budget, my search for my first ham radio to buy has led me towards Baofeng. A quick Google search on baofeng showed a lot of results that said that certain model baofeng handhelds are illegal in the US. Is that true?
hopefulhacker-Reinstate Monica
  • 767
  • 2
  • 7
  • 23
11
votes
2 answers

How do I renew my FCC amateur license?

I have a technician class license, and my license expires in March 2014. How do I renew my license? I received a notification in the mail from W5YI-VEC informing me that I could renew my license through them. They included a form that I can fill…
Ben Miller - Remember Monica
  • 221
  • 2
  • 8
10
votes
3 answers

Are hashes (such as md5) legal in the US

If I were to implement a remote computer control system using amateur radio, would using hashes (such as md5, sha-*, etc...) for authentication be permissible under the United States rules?
W8AWT
  • 1,286
  • 1
  • 13
  • 32
10
votes
3 answers

What is the difference between FCC station and operator licenses?

I an studying for my technician class examination, and I came across this question: What may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the correct mailing address? A. Fine or…
kzh
  • 201
  • 1
  • 7
9
votes
2 answers

Why is this requirement in 60m in the US?

According to the FCC, if you are using an antenna other than a dipole, in 60 meters, you must keep a record of the transmission and gain of the antenna. I don't remember seeing any other requirement of log keeping. Why does this one exist? What's…
Pablo Fernandez
  • 1,351
  • 12
  • 24
9
votes
3 answers

When will my new license appear in the FCC database?

I tested and passed my Technician's test on Thursday, June 4, 2015. Approximately how long will my license take to appear in the FCC database?
Melona380
  • 93
  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
9
votes
2 answers

Who enacts the FCC's rules and regulations?

I came across an old answer on this site which makes the claim: It would take an act of Congress to change this [FCC Part 97] rule. Is that correct? I was under the impression that United States Congress had delegated authority over civilian…
natevw - AF7TB
  • 7,219
  • 2
  • 23
  • 58
9
votes
1 answer

What changes are being made to the Technician question pool in 2018?

On 2018 July 1, the FCC's question pool for the Technician class license will be changing. Has anyone written up a summary of the updates or made a list of differences from the previous pool? What are the most significant changes I should be aware…
natevw - AF7TB
  • 7,219
  • 2
  • 23
  • 58
8
votes
2 answers

How do I notify and publish information on experimental modes?

I'm considering tinkering with a new mode. Of course I'll stick to experimental channels and low power for now, but as people notice my transmissions they won't immediately understand what is being transmitted. How do I disseminate information that…
Adam Davis
  • 12,095
  • 2
  • 45
  • 106
1
2 3 4 5