Saturday, June 26, 2010

I would like to begin conducting code practice sessions with local hams on 2-meter FM. Is this legal?

Q Bob Abbey, WN4J, asks, “I would like to begin conducting code practice sessions with local hams on 2-meter FM. Is this legal? Would it be a prohibited form of ‘broadcasting’”?

A There is nothing to stop you from transmitting code practice on 2-meter FM. In fact, W1AW does just that on 147.555 MHz. This is permitted by Section 97.111(b)(5). Concerning the “broadcasting” issue, this term is defined in Section 97.3(a)(10) as “Transmissions intended for reception by the general public, either direct or relayed.” All amateur transmissions must be intended to be received only by other amateurs. Nothing prevents a nonham from overhearing an amateur codepractice session—from a practical standpoint, we hope they do— but that sort of reception is unintentional.



US amateur privileges on the 75/80 band. Technically speaking, 75 meters begins at 3750 kHz.

From QST May 1999