Andrew O'Brien wrote: > > - I was parked on 3581 USB tonight and heard W1AW start up with CW. > Not a "QRL?" to be heard. I saw someone post somwthing about it not > being reaslistic to expect W1AW to actually listen first, because > they "broadcast" on many frequencies at the same time. The point make > sense, but it still seems weird to me that an ARRL station just > fires up, and off you go. > > Andy K3UK. >
This issue has come up many times over the years. Last I heard, ARRL does not even listen before transmitting; in fact, they do not even have a receiver tuned to the freqs that they broadcast on. The FCC ruled years ago that this is OK. My foggy memory recalls that it is OK by FCC because: a) the time/freqs are published in advance; and b) the subject matter is of interest largely only to radio amateurs. The many aspiring lawyers on this forum can no doubt cite the code sections that embody the foregoing. :-) I have always thought that this would continue until the day that they interfere with some emergency communication and cause loss of life or property. To my knowledge this has never happened and now that CW is declining in use it may never occur. de Roger W6VZV (a lawyer, but not aspiring, grin).
