ControlOperator - Revision history

We7u: /* Some important references */

2007-10-30T19:19:56Z

‎Some important references

We7u: /* Here are some important references */

2007-10-30T19:14:46Z

‎Here are some important references

We7u: /* Here's a favorite */

2007-10-30T19:13:49Z

‎Here's a favorite

We7u: /* Babysitting Your Tracker Until It Grows Up */

2007-10-29T16:53:01Z

‎Babysitting Your Tracker Until It Grows Up

We7u: /* A more detailed answer: */

2007-10-27T14:53:21Z

‎A more detailed answer:

We7u: /* Don't ask the FCC! */

2007-10-27T03:29:08Z

‎Don't ask the FCC!

We7u: /* Don't ask the FCC! */

2007-10-27T03:28:40Z

‎Don't ask the FCC!

We7u: /* Here's a favorite */

2007-10-27T03:26:48Z

‎Here's a favorite

We7u: /* Don't ask the FCC! */

2007-10-27T03:18:42Z

‎Don't ask the FCC!

We7u: /* Here's a favorite */

2007-10-27T03:18:13Z

‎Here's a favorite

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 Please see the thread titled "Re: Newbie Questions, is Ham license required?" from the TinyTrak list that occurred on October 9th, 2007. One could also peruse the APRSSIG mailing list and find threads at least twice a year that cover this unattended tracker issue.
-==Some important references==
+==Some important references:==
 A '''quote by Riley Hollingsworth''', FCC Special Counsel in the Spectrum Enforcement Division.  He's the FCC guy you'd have to answer to if you did something wrong:

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 Please see the thread titled "Re: Newbie Questions, is Ham license required?" from the TinyTrak list that occurred on October 9th, 2007. One could also peruse the APRSSIG mailing list and find threads at least twice a year that cover this unattended tracker issue.
-==Here are some important references==
+==Some important references==
 A '''quote by Riley Hollingsworth''', FCC Special Counsel in the Spectrum Enforcement Division.  He's the FCC guy you'd have to answer to if you did something wrong:

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 Please see the thread titled "Re: Newbie Questions, is Ham license required?" from the TinyTrak list that occurred on October 9th, 2007. One could also peruse the APRSSIG mailing list and find threads at least twice a year that cover this unattended tracker issue.
-==Here's a favorite==
+==Here are some important references==
-A '''quote by Riley Hollingsworth''', FCC Special Counsel in the Spectrum Enforcement Division (who just announced his retirement).  He's the FCC guy you'd have to answer to if you did something wrong:
+A '''quote by Riley Hollingsworth''', FCC Special Counsel in the Spectrum Enforcement Division.  He's the FCC guy you'd have to answer to if you did something wrong:
 [http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/06/01/100/?nc=1 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/06/01/100/?nc=1]
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 Examine the FCC rules for yourself, in particular pay attention to sections about "automatic control", "beacons", "control operator", and "control point".  For your convenience, here's a link to the rules:  [http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/ http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/]
 ==A quote from an official observer in 1996:==

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 29 October 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	==Babysitting Your Tracker ~~Until It Grows Up~~==	+	==Babysitting Your Tracker==
	A frequent topic of discussion in APRS-related circles is:		A frequent topic of discussion in APRS-related circles is:

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 * It is well accepted that a completely unattended tracker or digipeater is within the rules. CFR 47.97.221(b)
-* Amateurs must prevent unlicensed operation. CFR 47.97.5 , 7 and 115 ''generally''. That is the crux of the argument about “unattended” operation.  Digital stations can be automatically controlled.  CFR 47.97.221  The key to all this is control of the station.  If the control operator can prevent ‘non-control operators’ including unlicensed individuals from ‘controlling’ the tracker, the tracker is well within the rules.  See above.
+* Amateurs must prevent unlicensed operation. CFR 47.97.5 , 7 and 115 ''generally''. That is the crux of the argument about “unattended” operation.  Digital stations can be automatically controlled.  CFR 47.97.221  The key to all this is control of the station.  '''''If the control operator can prevent ‘non-control operators’ including unlicensed individuals from ‘controlling’ the tracker, the tracker is well within the rules.'''''  See above.
 If the person(s) accompanying the tracker cannot change any parameter of the transmitter other than power on/off, then they cannot ‘control’ the unit and you are within the FCC rules. Enclosing the transmitter or transceiver inside another box so that no controls were available, or "locking" the radio so that nobody can mess with the settings, should steer you clear of possible violations. Unsure about that power on/off switch thing? Look up the "N1547C tracker" thread on APRSSIG and see below.
-If the person can change the power level, modulation method, frequency, or grab a microphone and "play around", then you'd be in violation of the rules if that person exercised any of that control.  Ultimately, it is better to ‘box it up’ to protect your license and to make sure that the unit stays configured the way it was when it left your hands.
+If the person can change the power level, modulation method, frequency, or grab a microphone and "play around", then you'd be in violation of the rules if that person exercised any of that control.  '''''Ultimately, it is better to ‘box it up’ to protect your license and to make sure that the unit stays configured as it was when it left your hands.'''''
 * The regulations do require a control operator (and station licensee) to cease operations if they are notified by a proper authority of  their transmission causing harmful interference.  CFR 47.97.109 (d) Being told to ‘cease transmission’ is not the same as having to be able to do so instantly, and a call on the radio, etc. to shut the unit off, along with a time-out timer or watchdog circuit on the transmitter will more than satisfy that requirement.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:29, 27 October 2007
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	==Don't ask the FCC!==		==Don't ask the FCC!==
−	The title seems humorous on the surface, but it's probably accurate. The article suggests asking such questions of Dan Henderson at ARRL instead of the FCC, and explains why: [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643]	+	The title seems humorous on the surface, but it's probably accurate. The article suggests asking such questions of Dan Henderson at ARRL instead of the FCC and explains why: [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643]

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:28, 27 October 2007
Line 86:		Line 86:

	==Don't ask the FCC!==		==Don't ask the FCC!==
−	The title seems humorous on the surface, but probably ~~100% true~~. It suggests asking Dan Henderson at ARRL ~~such questions~~ instead of ~~asking~~ the FCC ~~directly~~, and explains why: [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643]	+	The title seems humorous on the surface, but it's probably accurate. The article suggests asking such questions of Dan Henderson at ARRL instead of the FCC, and explains why: [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643]

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 ==Here's a favorite==
-A '''quote by Riley Hollingsworth''', the main FCC guy that would come after you if you did something wrong:
+A '''quote by Riley Hollingsworth''', FCC Special Counsel in the Spectrum Enforcement Division (who just announced his retirement).  He's the FCC guy you'd have to answer to if you did something wrong:
 [http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/06/01/100/?nc=1 http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/06/01/100/?nc=1]
-The FCC defines "automatic control" in section 97.3(a)(6) as:  "The use of devices and procedures for control of a station when it is transmitting so that compliance with the FCC Rules is achieved without the control operator being present at a control point."
+The FCC defines "automatic control" in CFR 47.97.3(a)(6) as:  "The use of devices and procedures for control of a station when it is transmitting so that compliance with the FCC Rules is achieved without the control operator being present at a control point."
 Another good discussion on the matter:  [http://lists.tapr.org/pipermail/aprssig/2004-November/001620.html http://lists.tapr.org/pipermail/aprssig/2004-November/001620.html]

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:18, 27 October 2007
Line 86:		Line 86:

	==Don't ask the FCC!==		==Don't ask the FCC!==
−	The title seems humorous on the surface, but probably 100% true. It suggests asking Dan Henderson at ARRL such questions instead of asking the FCC directly, and explains why: [[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643]]	+	The title seems humorous on the surface, but probably 100% true. It suggests asking Dan Henderson at ARRL such questions instead of asking the FCC directly, and explains why: [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TinyTrak/message/15643]