Licence Conditions Flashcards
Who can supervise a radio station
Foundation and Intermediate licence holders can only supervise other UK licensed amateurs operating their radio equipment.
If someone else is using your call sign, under your supervision it is still your radio equipment. If they use their call sign it effectively becomes their equipment and responsibility. In which case you do not need to supervise them.
What are greetings messages for
Anyone can send a greeting message (a few overs) as a guest under your call sign to enable them to get a feel for what amateur radio is about. Not all countries permit this. The must only be allowed to speak and not operate the transmitter. You must be able to cut them off if something goes wrong. It is advised to use a desk microphone rather than handheld.
How do trainees operate?
Trainees on Foundation or Intermediate courses may speak or operate under your supervision. They must also identify the station as part of their training using your or a club call sign. You must still be able to supervise directly and stop them if any problems arise.
What are disqualified persons
Those who have had their licences revoked or refused are not permitted to send greetings. They may operate on a training course if retaking licence is a condition of reinstatement.
Anyone who committed offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act in the preceding 6 months may not use amateur station even under supervision. You must have reasonable grounds to believe they are not disqualified.
Club Callsigns
Must be held by a nominated full licensee. Is in same format as a normal full call sign. Any member who is a full licensee can supervise the use of the call sign.
Special Event Stations
Any full licensee (but not a club station) may obtain a special event station licence, issued as a Notice of Variation to the personal licence. The event must be open to the public and commemorating an event that deserves recognition. Ofcom administer special event call signs and can give further advice. They being with GB or MB.
Operating at Sea
Maritime Mobile. Afloat on on the seaward side of the low water line or in international waters. It does not include the territorial waters of others countries as they will have their own rules.
Written permission is required and you may be asked to keep a log. You must observer radio silence if asked and the Master of the Vessel can close you down. Frequencies allocated by ITU and may differ in the 3 ITU regions (Region 1 UK, Europe, Most of Russia, 2 - Americas, 3 - China, Australia etc.) Optional to add suffix /MM. UK regional secondary locator may be used close to UK, in international waters use licensed call sign.
What is CEPT operation
CEPT - Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications. Full licence holders and equivalent in other signatory countries (approx. 50) allow operation abroad for up to 3 months. Prefix normal call sign with appropriate country letter e.g. France F/M0ABC. Comply with local licence conditions and carry copy of licence. Morse may still be required in some CEPT countries.
Visiting CEPT amateurs
Amateurs holding a CEPT licence visiting the UK may operate their own equipment or that of a UK person giving their own call sign prefixed with Mx/ - x = regional locator. May operate under supervision of full licensee using licensees callsign.
What are reciprocal agreements
Any two countries may agree between themselves that their amateurs may operate in each other’s countries under the terms of these agreements. You will probably be required to take out a local temporary licence in advance. A temporary UK licence is not recognised in other CEPT countries.
International third party message and disasters
In the event of you becoming involved in an emergency you are permitted to pass emergency messages. Normally you should not respond to such requests unless it is evident no one else is going to. If you hear non-amateur stations on amateur bands operating during an emergency they must be given priority.
What are UK user services
Clause 12 of the license allows you to pass messages on behalf of User Services or let them use your radio to speak to other Servicies. First and Second responders are define in Civil Contingencies act and in license clause 17(1)(qq). For the exam they include Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard, local and central government.
UK Call Signs
Gx0abc - full licence (Gx0 - Gx8) Mx0abc - full licence 2x0abc - intermediate Mx3abc - foundation Mx6abc - foundation
Use of messages
You are at liberty to record all messages or onwards transmit them to their destination. You must ensure if you replay the call sign of the originator that there is no ambiguity as to the origin of your transmission and the original message.
This is not acting as a repeater as a repeater simultaneously receives and re-transmits (also requires separate licence). It it is an offence to seek to receive messages not meant for you.
Unattended and Remote Control Operation
Clause 10 permits a number of methods of remote control. However, you must still operate within the terms of your licence and you may be held responsible for any breaches. Permitted to use radio link max 50mW pep erp for Foundation and Intermediate licences. Full licences limited by their schedule. This could be on a band exempt from licence, telephone or via Internet. General issues are loss of control and preventing unauthorised use. Encryption of link is not permitted.
