FCC and mil radios

[alpino]

I have an RT-524 in my M38. it kicks ass on range, esp out west here. Now I am told I need an FCC license. Any idea/knowledge on this? thanks

[OKCM38CDN]

Depending on the Frequency you are using you may need a licence or a lawyer...

The Military radios RT-524 included will operate in the 28 - 54 megahertz range. To operate in the 28-29.7 megahertz and 50 to 54 megahertz range you must posses a FCC Amateur Radio Licence of the proper class... This involves reading a book or two and taking at least one or two tests with the proper authorities... Most amateur radio clubs host test sessions or know of test sessions in the local area. Go to the ARRL website for more information on testing at arrl.org...


If you operate outside these frequency ranges or without a license be prepared to call for a lawyer... The FCC can fine you $2000 per day per offense. I have seen them enter a family's home and take every FCC registered device from the home right down to the telephone on the wall/desk (TVs, radios, stereos, and cut the gents tower down with a torch)... keep in mind this particular incident was a flagrant abuse of the law, the gent was running so much power he knocked the communcations out at Keesler AFB, MS control tower and caused a major air traffic incident... Tower could not talk to inbound or outbound aircraft...

It can happen...

I have been an amateur radio operator since 1984 and have given tests and it is not hard to do, the licence costs nothing (Testing costs a fee to pay for the printing and processing of the tests) and the license is good for 10 years renewable...

Hope to hear you on the air, leagally...

Hope this helps...

[wesk]

That is correct. To operate (usually means transmit) a radio station requires FCC licensing. Your military stuff is in the 20 to 60 Megacycle range.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... id=amateur

About Amateur

Operator Class

The FCC issues six license classes, each authorizing varying levels of privileges. The class for which each licensee is qualified is determined by the degree of skill and knowledge in operating a station that the licensee demonstrates during an examination to volunteer examiners (VEs) in his or her community. Operator class license classes are:

Current:
Technician
General
Amateur Extra

Grandfathered Operator Classes:
Novice
Technician Plus
Advanced

Current Operator Classes
Grandfathered Operator Classes

Current Operator Classes
Most new amateur radio operators start at the Technician Class and then advance to the General Class or Amateur Extra Class. The VEs give examination credit for the license class currently held so that examinations required for that license class need not be repeated. The VEs prepare the written examinations from question pools that have been made public. Helpful study guides and training courses are widely available.

Technician

The privileges of a Technician Class operator license include operating an amateur station that may transmit on channels in any of 17 frequency bands above 50 MHz with up to 1,500 watts of power. To pass the Technician Class examination, at least 26 questions from a 35 question written examination must be answered correctly. Technician Class licensees also have privileges in four amateur service bands in the HF range (3-30 MHz) (Refer to Section 97.301(e)).

General

The General Class operator license authorizes privileges in all 27 amateur service bands. Upon accreditation by a Volunteer-Examiner Coordinator (VEC), an individual can help administer certain examinations. In addition to the above written examination, the requirement for a General Class operator license includes a 35 question written examination for which 26 correctly answered questions is the minimum passing score.
Amateur Extra

The privileges of an Amateur Extra Class operator license include additional spectrum in the HF bands. In addition to the two above written examinations, the requirement for an Amateur Extra Class operator license includes answering correctly at least 37 questions on a 50 question written examination.
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Grandfathered Operator Classes
No new Novice, Technician Plus, or Advanced Class amateur service operator licenses will be issued. These licenses, however, may be modified or renewed. Technician Plus class operator licenses will be converted to Technician Class licenses if renewed. Technician Plus class operator licenses will also be converted to Technician Class when modified to show a vanity call sign.
Novice

The Novice Class operator license is for persons who have passed the 5 wpm telegraphy examination, but only the first part of the written examination formerly required for the Technician Class. Privileges include four bands in the HF range, one band in the VHF range (30-300 MHz), and one band in the UHF range (300-3,000 MHz).
Technician Plus

The Technician Plus Class operator license was issued to Technician Class licensees, who, in addition to passing a written examination, also had passed at least a 5wpm telegraphy examination. A Technician Plus Class licensee is authorized the privileges of a Technician Class licensees plus the privileges of a Novice Class licensee.
Advanced

The privileges of an Advanced Class operator license include 275 kHz of additional spectrum in the HF bands.

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[alpino]

Incredible! THANK YOU for all the information. I am not going to key the mike until....