[K3PZN-List] Field Days Rules per FCC Part 97

[K3MTT]

I have heard conversations about Field Day
Operations and discussions about us  operating
under an Extra Call.  Relative to that, I have
heard several  conversations over the last year or
so that  were based on the assumption that  "we
have an Extra as the K3PZN trustee so we can
operate on Extra Class frequencies during  FD and
contests using the Club Call, K3PZN". 

That is true to a degree,  but I think some people
are misinterpreting the reason and what we
can/cannot do relative to the trustee being an
Extra Class.

While it is true that an Extra Class licensee can
operate K3PZN on extra class frequencies, it is
not true that a Novice or a Technician can do so,
UNLESS a Control Operator with Extra Class
privileges is present.

 What does present mean? It means that the control
operator must be able to shut down the transmitter
immediately if a transgression or malfunction
occurs. Some folks will debate what present means.
Present and being IN CONTROL  means being close
enough to monitor what is going on and to respond
without hesitation. To me, that means in the same
room or in the case of FD, in or just outside the
tent/shelter where the operation can be monitored.
Does that mean going outside an air conditioned
van with the WINDOWS CLOSED to have a cigarette
constitutes close enough control  ... Maybe ....
if you open the window or have mike inside and a
speaker outside that allows you to monitor the
operation.  It is reasonable that you could react
in about the same time as if you were on the
inside.  I might argue this point with the FCC if
I had too, but not if I was 150 feet away at the
Picnic chowing down with no inkling of what was
happening in the 20 meter tent.. 

 I have found in my 45 years as a HAM that we tend
to debate the rules and regulations, try to pin
things down to the point where you need an
attorney trained in FCC  rules to do an
interpretation before something is done (sounds
like a bureaucrat).  We also tend to over legalize
"things" that may happen that can result in being
sued. These things are the same side of the coin.
What we must do is to use common sense. If it
makes sense, it is probably  ok to do. Would my
example be the same if the monitor speaker was a
half mile away and the "control operator" had to
walk, run or drive to the transmitter site? I
don't think so. When other non lawyers are trying
to interpret FCC rules, don't argue with them,
just use Common Sense as they don't have any
better answers!   Well, any way, it works for me.

Stations operating under the K3PZN call sign that
are being controlled  by any person other than an
Extra Class Licensee can not transmit on
frequencies for which they are not licensed. In
other words, if you are General Class, you must
stay within the General Class assigned
frequencies. Again, to operate on a frequency for
which you are not licensed,  may only be done in
the presence of a Control Operator who does have
the authority to operate there. To operate on
Extra Class frequencies, that control operator
does not have to be Bill, N3WM the trustee, but
could be me, K3MTT, Extra Class  Licensee. It
could not be Sandie, N3MAK who is a Technician
Class.

So why does K3PZN have a Extra Class trustee when
another Extra Class can be the Control Operator.
Because if the trustee was a Technician Class
Licensee, then all station operators using K3PZN
on Field Day or in contests or at the Club station
who have a higher class license, and were  to
operate as the control operator,  would have to
indicate that by an indicator which consists of
the call sign assigned to the station (k3pzn)
FOLLOWED by the call sign of the control operators
station.   In other words,  calling CQ would go
like this CQ CQ CQ de k3PZN/K3MTT.  On phone many
operators sign "de K3PZN operated by K3MTT ( or
with K3MTT at the mike). Quite cumbersome, isn't
it. (Reference Section 97.119(e)). Also World
Radio Magazine, June 2005, "Field Day Exceptions?
pp 20-22 By John B. Johnston,  W3BE.

Well That's the rest of the Story   .. Hope I got
it right.  

Have a great Field Day,
73,
Frank K3MTT