Lots of good or interesting opinions expressed in this discussion. - But we all know about opinions... Everybody's got one.
Here are some of the relevant FACTS, the framework within we must not stray with our opinions: ------ §97.101 General standards. (a) In all respects not specifically covered by FCC Rules each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice. (b) Each station licensee and each control operator must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and in making the most effective use of the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station. (c) At all times and on all frequencies, each control operator must give priority to stations providing emergency communications, except to stations transmitting communications for training drills and tests in RACES. (d) No amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or signal. ------ Note in 97.101(a) the reference to good amateur practice. The accepted documentation of good amateur practice is THE AMATEURS CODE, which you can reference here: http://www.arwatch.com/info/hamcode.htm Note that if your IQ is bigger than your shoe size, then you will know without doubt that transmitting a signal without listening first on a regular basis is going to cause harmful interference. This means the resulting inteference falls within the 'willful or malicious' category. - Assuming of course that your IQ is bigger than your shoe size. WinLink and automated ALE sounder folks take note. ------ §97.109 Station control. (d) When a station is being automatically controlled, the control operator need not be at the control point. Only stations specifically designated elsewhere in this Part may be automatically controlled. Automatic control must cease upon notification by a District Director that the station is transmitting improperly or causing harmful interference to other stations. Automatic control must not be resumed without prior approval of the District Director. ------ It looks like the FCC District Director is the one to talk to about WinLink and ALE-sounding related interference. ------ §97.113 Prohibited transmissions. (a) No amateur station shall transmit: (1) Communications specifically prohibited elsewhere in this Part; (5) Communications, on a regular basis, which could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services. ------ Take a look at SailMail http://www.sailmail.com/ which is identical in almost every respect to WinLink. Then carefully read 97.113(a,5). What does this tell you about WinLink? 73 DE Charles Brabham, N5PVL Prefer to use radio for your amateur radio communications? - Stop by at HamRadioNet.Org ! http://www.hamradionet.org
