On 2/9/2010 11:24 AM, Woodrick, Ed wrote:
With the popularity of hotspots, cross-band repeaters and other
devices, I got to thinking about the legal classification of these
devices and what it means to their operation. I don't really want to
start a 400 message discussion, but to allow each of you to
contemplate what you believe to be in accordance to the law where you
live.
No debate necessary. Easier to base the answer on facts. :-)
ARRL's Legal Counsel (Chris Imlay) made it clear that simplex EchoLink
and IRLP stations were Auxiliary Stations many years ago after
consultation with various FCC folks. FCC never published a written opinion.
Logically then, a D-STAR HotSpot is the same, with digital modulation
instead of analog.
The usual problem that comes up when discussing this is that people
don't READ in these mailing lists, and someone assuredly will think
you're talking about REPEATERS, miss that you're talking about the
HotSpot, and freak out. We'll see if this thread triggers that. ;-)
The reason this all came up heavily back then: Auxiliary Stations used
to be banned in low VHF spectrum, and only allowable at 222.15 MHz and
above. A rules change a number of years ago "fixed" that, probably
because by then, there were hundreds and hundreds of illegally operating
simplex EchoLink and IRLP nodes at the time. Part 97 has been changed.
IRLP and EchoLink went through this "what is it legally" process for the
U.S.rules for simplex linked stations, ten years ago... ARRL published
the answer far and wide, including in the magazine.
I've got the PDF somewhere... on a hard drive... somewhere...
copyrighted by ARRL so I can't post it anywhere anyway... (I asked.)
Other people have it posted on the web, and feel they'll go ahead and
risk infringement of the Copyright. :-)
Nate WY0X
