[Elecraft] Re: Favorite K2 Remote Program? (g4ilo@qsl.net)

[Web Williams]

I don't really want to "get into it" with others on 
this subject, but I was in a friendly discussion 
with another ham concerning remote-base operations 
using an internet link to an HF set, and began 
investigating the legality of such operation. I 
posed a question to the ARRL regulatory branch to 
see what their opinion was (John Hennessee) because 
I saw that more than a few folks seem to be using 
TRX manager and other software as a "package" to 
operate their HF set from a remote location over an 
internet link. Pretty amazing stuff if you ask me, 
and I was about to see if I could get on the bandwagon 
as well! Who wouldn't like the capability of jumping 
on your home HF set from another state whenever you 
please via a simple internet connection?

As it turns out, "remote base" operation in the U.S. 
is ILLEGAL if it transmits below 29.5MHz. The link 
to your HF set (which may only transmit ABOVE 29.5MHz) 
may _ONLY_ be one of the following choices:

A. RF link above 222.15MHz
B. Hard-wire control from point to point
C. A telephone link via an unlisted telephone number

No regulatory precedence has been set, no rule written 
into law, for using the internet to remotely control a 
radio. Yes, this includes Echolink and IRLP, and other 
variations on the theme.

Although using such a station in countries other than 
the U.S. may be legal, here in the U.S. it's _ILLEGAL_.

No need to "correct me". If you feel the need to 
"correct" someone, the thing for you to do is to get 
a "petition for rulemaking" started, because this rule 
is based in LAW, not OPINION. For it to be legal to 
use the internet to transmit with your HF rig below 
29.5MHz, you need to have the law changed, or have 
a new law written, not change my opinion. Whether or 
not the FCC is willing to enforce this rule is another 
matter entirely.

You'll need two law changes:

1. Make it legal to transmit via remote base below 29.5MHz.

2. Recognize the internet as a legal means to control a 
remote base.

73, -KR4WM