[ScanIndiana] Unlicensed comms in an emergency

[Bob Burns W9RXR]

At 12:40 PM 1/5/2008, Q101 News wrote:

>I'd be interested in knowing whether anyone here 
>can site an actual FCC regulation (by regulation 
>number) or federal law (by title) that 
>explicitly permits unlicensed operation in such emergencies.

You'd probably have to dig through the FCC rules 
for the various radio services in order to get a 
complete answer regarding unlicensed transmissions.

There is a rule in the Amateur Radio Service 
rules (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, 
Part 97) which allows communications by "any means" in an emergency:

§97.403 Safety of life and protection of property.

"No provision of these rules prevents the use by 
an amateur station of any means of 
radiocommunication at its disposal to provide 
essential communication needs in connection with 
the immediate safety of human life and immediate 
protection of property when normal communication systems are not available."

Bob...