In 97.111 the following one-way transmissions are authorized:
(2) Brief transmissions necessary to establishing two-way communications with other stations.
(6) Transmissions necessary to distribute information bulletins.
73,
John KD6OZH
----- Original Message ----- From: kd8bxp@aol.com To: dave@mynatt.biz; AMSAT-BB@amsat.org; "'Bob Bruninga '" bruninga@usna.edu Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 18:05 UTC Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: OT: Universal Text Messaging and Pagers (WAS Re:Re:dream)
Good afternoon to all - On the subject of amatuer paging
While in an email letter to Nigel (sorry I don't remember his call) I may have just convenced (sp) myself that paging is probably perfectly legal in the ham bands
Let's see if I can follow my own logic and then let's get a paging network up and running :-)
I am not In front of my computer and not looking at Part 97 - so I maybe off a bit
There are a couple of parts of part 97 that applie
Paging is a digital mode - YES got that covered POCSAG the format for paging is open and avaiable to anyone who wants to use it - freely avaible protocal - YES got that covered
The issue comes when you think as pageing as a one way device - now Part 97 limits what type of one way transmittions we can do - I think it specifically say there are three types of one way transmittions we can do. I can't remember all of them - the two I do remember and I think applie are trying to make a QSO and the telemetery - weather, local and national emergancy, dx reports, would fit without question into the telemetery area - each can be set on its own capcode and every amateur pager can have those cap codes programmed into it - However Pagers all have a "personal" capcode - we have a choice of either setting all of the personal capcodes to the same one - not using personal and not recording the personal capcodes - OR finding the reasoning why a personal capcode is legal to use - We are allowed to make one way transmittions to establish a QSO - as I said I am not looking at part 97 but as I recall - it doesn't say we have to establish on the same band or at the same time - just that we can use it to establish a QSO - So let's say I know your personal capcode - I send to you making a call up now "KF8II de KD8BXP pls call on 40meter 7.100 at 2200z"
I think that would be 100% legal. So it is all about content and not about the techonolgy of it being a oneway device
LeRoy, KD8BXP http://www.HamOhio.com
Sent on the Now Network from my Sprint® BlackBerry
-----Original Message----- From: "Dave" dave@mynatt.biz
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 11:28:27 To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org; 'Bob Bruninga 'bruninga@usna.edu Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: OT: Universal Text Messaging and Pagers (WAS Re: Re: dream)
Doesn't anyone know someone at the FCC to get a prelim opinion or 'sense of the commission' without a rule having to be made? A phone call maybe...
Dave DM78qd // KA0SWT If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners.-- Johnny Carson +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bob Bruninga Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 7:55 AM To: Ben Jackson Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: OT: Universal Text Messaging and Pagers (WAS Re: Re: dream)
Using paging devices on Amateur Radio is perfectly legal like any other radio. It all boils down to use. If you use it for setting up a one-way systemm for a pizza delivery service, it is clearly illegal. If you use it as part of your overall local communications network of amateur radio volunters it is just one more tool in the tool box.
Unfortunately, the way Part 97 currently reads is that most pager transmissions to an individual are illegal under §97.111(b), as it is a "one way" transmission that, in most cases, would not qualify under the "legal" list.
Sorry, one can also claim that every transmission is one-way because only under full duplex conditions is a system truely two-way. There are all kinds of applications in amateur radio where one side of the link uses different hardware than the other return side, and once can make all kinds of arguments as to how much delay is involved between the transmission and the receiption.. 3 seconds? 10 seconds, a minute? 10 minutes? A day? When you make a call to a party TO ESTABLISH commmunications it is one way, until the person gets his system going and responds.
In my mind a pager is just another way of making the call. THe intent is NOT ONE WAY, it is to provide a call-up or a message as part of a CLEARLY TWO-WAY amateur network.
There is no reason to nit pick rules. When one is broadcasting (one way) to the general public or using amateur radio inappropriately, I think everyone can tell when it is blatanly illegal. I just don't see the FCC cares one nit about some of these debates when any one can see that hams are taking initiative to better their use of the radio art.
You just have to ignore the curmudgeons who have nothing better to do than nit-pick ways to prevent other hams from developing useful applications of technology. A pager is simply the text-to-user device integrated into the normal local 2-way amateur radio communications system.
The issue is that, according to Part 97, it can't be used beyond QSTs, telemetry, or "necessary" emergency communications. Could I get away with setting up such a system? Likely. Do I foot to stand on when my local OO comes knocking? Not so much.
Some OO's are part of the problem, not the solution...
An amateur satellite would make a great downlink to these pagers. Again, the goal should simply be, any message, any time, anywhere using any device to any user by callsign alone.
Bob, WB4APR
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb