Doesn't anyone know someone at the FCC to get a prelim opinion or 'sense of the commission' without a rule having to be made? A phone call maybe...
Dave DM78qd // KA0SWT If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners.-- Johnny Carson +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bob Bruninga Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 7:55 AM To: Ben Jackson Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: OT: Universal Text Messaging and Pagers (WAS Re: Re: dream) >> Using paging devices on Amateur Radio is perfectly legal like any >> other radio. It all boils down to use. If you use it for setting up >> a one-way systemm for a pizza delivery service, it is clearly >> illegal. If you use it as part of your overall local communications >> network of amateur radio volunters it is just one more tool in the >> tool box. > > Unfortunately, the way Part 97 currently reads is that most pager > transmissions to an individual are illegal under ยง97.111(b), as it is > a "one way" > transmission that, in most cases, would not qualify under the "legal" > list. Sorry, one can also claim that every transmission is one-way because only under full duplex conditions is a system truely two-way. There are all kinds of applications in amateur radio where one side of the link uses different hardware than the other return side, and once can make all kinds of arguments as to how much delay is involved between the transmission and the receiption.. 3 seconds? 10 seconds, a minute? 10 minutes? A day? When you make a call to a party TO ESTABLISH commmunications it is one way, until the person gets his system going and responds. In my mind a pager is just another way of making the call. THe intent is NOT ONE WAY, it is to provide a call-up or a message as part of a CLEARLY TWO-WAY amateur network. There is no reason to nit pick rules. When one is broadcasting (one way) to the general public or using amateur radio inappropriately, I think everyone can tell when it is blatanly illegal. I just don't see the FCC cares one nit about some of these debates when any one can see that hams are taking initiative to better their use of the radio art. >> You just have to ignore the curmudgeons who have nothing better to do >> than nit-pick ways to prevent other hams from developing useful >> applications of technology. A pager is simply the text-to-user >> device integrated into the normal local 2-way amateur radio >> communications system. > > The issue is that, according to Part 97, it can't be used beyond QSTs, > telemetry, or "necessary" > emergency communications. Could I get away with setting up such a > system? Likely. Do I foot to stand on when my local OO comes knocking? > Not so much. Some OO's are part of the problem, not the solution... >> An amateur satellite would make a great downlink to these pagers. >> Again, the goal should simply be, any message, any time, anywhere >> using any device to any user by callsign alone. Bob, WB4APR _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
