Technician License Course
Chapter 5
Licensing Regulations
Licensing Authority
• Federal Communications Commission
– Located in Gettysburg, PA
• Amateur Radio operations covered by FCC
rules published in Part 97 of Title 47 – Code
of Federal Regulations
– Use Part 97 for short
Why is there ham radio?
1. Providing emergency communication
capability
2. Advancement of the art and science of radio
3. Advance communication and technical skills
of radio
4. Provide a trained reservoir of operators,
technicians, and electronics experts
5. Promote and enhance international goodwill
Some Definitions
• Amateur Service – non pecuniary interest (private and
personal, non commercial)
– Exception – Station that transmits bulletins of interest to Amateur
Radio Operators (i.e. W1AW)
• Amateur Operator – the person holding authorization
(license) to operate a amateur radio station
• Amateur Station – equipment capable of transmitting on
frequencies authorized for Amateur Service
The Amateur License
• No age limit or citizenship restrictions
– One exception – foreign representatives
• License actually contains two parts
– Operator License
– Station License (the Call Sign)
• Three classes of operator privileges: Tech,
General, Extra
The Amateur License
• There are 2 parts
– Operator License
– Station License
• There is only 1 piece of paper
• I don’t know why this seems to be a big
issue but it is usually on the test
Examinations
• Preparation
– Study the content
– Question Pool
• Taking the exam
– Proctored exam
– Multiple choice
– What the fee pays for
• Volunteer Examiners (VEs)
– Greater class operator than the test is for EXCEPT for Extra.
– EXTRA Class can proctor for the Extra class test
• Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs)
– 2 most often referred to – ARRL and W5YI
– Review testing/forms to ensure compliance
License Term and Renewal
• The license is free and good for 10 years
– Renewable within 90 days of the expiration date
– CSCE is valid for 365 days
• If Your License Expires
– You may not operate without a valid license
– There is a 2 YEAR grace period when you can reapply without
retaking the test
• Some personal identification information is required
– Tax ID (social security number)
– Current Mailing Address
– Federal Registration Number (FRN)
• Don’t lose this or your password
• Can be applied for w/o a license
Responsibilities of Licensure
• Prevent unauthorized operation of your
station
• Provide personal information as required
– keep a current mailing address on file
• Make your station available for FCC
inspection upon request
Inspections
• Your Station must be available to inspection
by the FCC at any time
– I have never experienced this
– Usually occurs if you are causing interference
and there are complaints
– I run a LPCA (Low Power Crummy Antenna)
station
FCC ULS Web Site
• www.wireless.fcc.gov/uls
–
–
–
–
–
Register for on-line access to your license information
Make changes to your address and other information
Renew your license
Search for other station information
YOU CAN START OPERATING AS SOON AS
YOUR LISTED IN THE FCC’s DATABASE!!!!
What can you do with a Technician
Class License?
• Frequency Privileges
– Band versus frequency
300
Band 
Freq ( MHz )
What can you do with a Technician
Class License?
• Emission Privileges
What can you do with a Technician
Class License?
• Power Limits
• Use the minimum power required to get the job
done
• Up to 1500 Watts Peak Envelop Power (PEP)
– Will generally require an external amplifier to achieve
these power levels
• Some special cases where power is restricted
Primary and Secondary Allocations
• Some authorized amateur frequencies are
shared
– Primary Users
• Protected from harmful interference by signals from
secondary services
– Secondary Users
• Understand that they must not cause interference to
primary users
Amateur Radio - Internationally
• International Telecommunications Union
(ITU)
– Regions 1, 2, and 3
• CONUS hams are in Region 2
• Reciprocal Operating Authorizations
• There are times when there are restrictions
on certain countries that we can contact
Call Signs
• US call signs begin
with: K, N, W, and A
• US call sign districts:
0-9
Call Signs
• Portable – operating away from primary
station location
• If in the different call sign district add:
– “portable 6” if voice
– /6 if Morse code or digital
– Not required just nice to do
• If recent up-grade add “AG” or “AE”
International Operating
• There are 3 ways to obtain permission
– Reciprocal Operating Authority
– International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP)
– European Conference of Postal and
Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)
Special Call Signs
• Club and Special Event Call Sings
– At least 4 members
– Documentation showing the club has meetings
– There must be a trustee responsible for the club station
• Vanity Call Signs
–
–
–
–
Pay for a “CUTE” callsign
Obtain the callsign of a deceased family member
Obtain a callsign that has expired
www.arrl.org/hrlm/vanity
• Special Event Callsigns
– Usually good for 15 days
– Must apply through Special Event Coordinator (ARRL)
Review Questions
• T1A01 through 09
• T1B01, 02, 07, 08, 09,
10
• T2B03 through 06 09,
10
• T1C02, 02, 04 through
10
• T2C02
• T1D01 through 08, 11,
12
• T2D06, 08, 09, 10
• T3B08, 09, 10
• T4B10, 11, 12
• T6C02
Next Time
• Operating Regulations
• Read 6-1 through 6-13