[SkyHub] SkyHub Digest, Vol 72, Issue 11

Tue Jun 16 11:28:08 EDT 2026

Yes, using AI as a communication assistant is legal in amateur radio,
provided a licensed control operator maintains active oversight of the
station. The FCC strictly requires a human to take responsibility for all
transmissions, but AI can legally assist with decoding, generating
synthesized text/voice, and managing contact logs. [1
<https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1miagaq/llm_as_a_control_operator/>,
2 <https://www.facebook.com/groups/2600net/posts/4148258022063958/>, 3
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSd1IPrUk6g&t=1072>, 4
<https://wavetalkers.com/resources/ai/index.php>]
How You Can Use AI Legally

   - Voice/Text Assistance: Using Artificial Intelligence to generate
   synthesized speech (text-to-speech) or to decode incoming signals is
   perfectly legal, similar to how digital macros or voice keyers operate. [
   1 <https://www.facebook.com/groups/2600net/posts/4148258022063958/>]
   - Contesting & DXing: Operators regularly use AI models or "AI copilots"
   as logging assistants, propagation checkers, and smart-cluster spotters.
   [1
   <https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1miagaq/llm_as_a_control_operator/>,
   2 <https://wavetalkers.com/resources/ai/index.php>]
   - Signal Processing: Advanced SDR (Software Defined Radio) software
   natively employs machine learning to filter out background noise and pull
   weak signals out of the static. [1
   <https://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/2024/04%20april%2024/04-2024%20QST%20EDITORIAL.pdf>,
   2
   <https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/how-to-use-ai-in-your-ham-shack.940791/>,
   3 <https://arxiv.org/html/2402.17771v1>]

Key Rules and Restrictions

   - Human Control Operator Required: Under FCC Part 97 rules, the control
   operator must be a person holding a valid amateur license. You cannot leave
   an AI completely unattended to randomly call CQ, carry on conversations,
   and log contacts with zero human supervision. [1
   <https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1miagaq/llm_as_a_control_operator/>,
   2 <https://www.facebook.com/groups/hamops/posts/10163849707178840/>]
   - Station Identification: The control operator remains responsible for
   ensuring the station transmits its assigned call sign at the required
   intervals. []
   - Content Restrictions: The human operator is liable for any violations
   of FCC rules, including broadcasting hoaxes, indecency, or music,
   regardless of whether the AI generated the content. [1
   <https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/what-are-the-legal-considerations-of-ai-in-radio>,
   2
   <https://readyradio.com/blogs/other/radio-communication-laws?srsltid=AfmBOoqixPbZnKGoqlExL1G-OuEPn6wuY0H7rVfi5SpamBBn4nApr2J0>
   ]

For further clarification on permitted assistive technologies, you can
consult the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) <https://www.arrl.org/>
guidelines or check the latest FCC Amateur Radio Service
<https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/amateur-radio-service>
rules.
Keri
N2KNK

On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 8:45 PM <skyhub-request at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

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>    1. Question for the groupe (Bruce Hofer)
>    2. Re: Question for the groupe (Randall ~ AE7RJ)
>    3. Re: Question for the groupe (Bruce Hofer)
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:37:55 -0600
> From: Bruce Hofer <brucehofer1 at icloud.com>
> To: skyhub at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [SkyHub] Question for the groupe
> Message-ID: <9CF2A895-1965-4949-A538-6AF96D0FFCE8 at icloud.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Just wondering ?for the weather Net ?( please don?t take this wrong and
> it?s not intended to offend anyone ) ?my question would be if the regional
> forecast couldn?t be read via AI generated speech ???? ..
> Please ?someone check on that as an option ?and like I stated not to
> offend or degrade anyone with my question for the group? 73? all
> Bruce
> De:Kc0efs
> Sent from ?
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> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2026 19:00:49 -0700
> From: Randall ~ AE7RJ <ae7rj at jonesnw.net>
> To: Bruce Hofer <brucehofer1 at icloud.com>,       QST SkyHubLink
>         <skyhub at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [SkyHub] Question for the groupe
> Message-ID: <0ffe8a38-0302-4e8d-91b4-bf71386b96d6 at jonesnw.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"
>
> Bruce,
>
> In my ever so humble opinion ... The Commission wouldn't be all that
> happy with an AI on the air on amateur frequencies.
>
> Repeaters identify using a synthesized voice, but that's canned with a
> limited vocabulary. It won't say something it should not. An AI is going
> to say whatever is on the script.
>
> --
> 73s ...
>
> *Randall Jones*
> ae7rj at jonesnw.net
> *AE7RJ* / *WSDI868*
>
> 1N73LL1G3NC3 15 7H3 4B1L17Y 70 4D4P7 70 CH4NG3
> ? 573PH3N H4WK1NG
> ?\_(?)_/?
>
> On 15-Jun-26 13:37, Bruce Hofer via SkyHub wrote:
> >
> > Just wondering ?for the weather Net ?( please don?t take this wrong
> > and it?s not intended to offend anyone ) ?my question would be if the
> > regional forecast couldn?t be read via AI generated speech ???? ..
> >
> > Please ?someone check on that as an option ?and like I stated not to
> > offend or degrade anyone with my question for the group? 73? all
> >
> > Bruce
> >
> > De:Kc0efs
> >
> > Sent from ?
> >
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> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:45:05 -0600
> From: Bruce Hofer <brucehofer1 at icloud.com>
> To: Randall ~ AE7RJ <ae7rj at jonesnw.net>
> Cc: QST SkyHubLink <skyhub at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [SkyHub] Question for the groupe
> Message-ID: <BBACFBAB-A5C9-4929-9909-3E18ADEBEEA8 at icloud.com>
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> End of SkyHub Digest, Vol 72, Issue 11
> **************************************
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-- 
Keri Varela
*N2KNK*
*WestCO Repeater System CEO*
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