I've noticed that most everybody running a "legal" part 15 station comes up with a "station call sign" to identify their station.
The information that Ramsey presents regarding understanding FCC rules states:
"Do not use made-up "station call signs" to identify your transmissions. Only the FCC has the authority to issue such call signs. Use some other way to identify your transmitting activity, such as "This is Stereo 90.5, Seabreeze School Student Music Radio," and so forth."
I've noticed that most everybody running a "legal" part 15 station comes up with a "station call sign" to identify their station.
The information that Ramsey presents regarding understanding FCC rules states:
"Do not use made-up "station call signs" to identify your transmissions. Only the FCC has the authority to issue such call signs. Use some other way to identify your transmitting activity, such as "This is Stereo 90.5, Seabreeze School Student Music Radio," and so forth."
Can a "made-up station call sign" be used legally as long as you include information that identifies who and where you are? I've read through the FCC rules and can't seem to find a clear answer on this. Even CB radios are allowed "handles". They even permitted using your initials and zip code preceded by the letter K such as KTS12345 for a CB call.
I've seen this on the ramsey site, but I've looked over the part 15 rules many times and I havent seen anything in them to backup thier claim. Personally, I just looked for something that hasnt been used already. It just happends that the letters for my school arnt used. WITT
I got alot of good ideas. Problem is, most of em suck.
George Carlin (WINO)
Hi,
There is nothing in the part15 rules that requires or prevents you from using a callsign.
Do what you want.
Neil
As a Amateur Radio Operator, I can assure you that it is illegal to use a "legal" radio callsign. However, you can make one up that cannot be mistaken as a "legal" id. I would recommend just picking something longer than 4 letters long and making sure it doesn't start with any of the following prefixes:
AAA-ALZ, K, N, W - Assigned for US Radio and TV Stations/Amateur Radio
CB, CF, CH, CI, CJ, CK, VF, VO, or VX - Assigned for Canada Radio and TV Stations/Amateur Radio
XE, XH, or XF - Assigned for Mexico Radio and TV Stations/Amateur Radio
So something like ZOO-FM would be acceptable, but not KZOO. BTW, it doesn't state that it is illegal to use a made-up callsign for Part 15, but the act of misrepresenting yourself as a licensed radio station is illegal in the Part 97 of the FCC rules.
The only thing Part 15 protects is the transmission power and not having to be licensed to transmit within certain frequencies at certain power levels, the other "parts" of the FCC rules still apply however with any type of transmission.
DarkStar makes very good points. I am also an amateur operator and have read a lot of rules. In the licensed services, operating practice is spelled out in the pertainent FCC Parts. For example, as explained in FCC part 97 hams are required to identify at least every 10 minutes and must give the other station's call in a specific order with theirs when ending transmission. This is a required operating practice of Part 97 which is not in part 15, and does not carry over to part 15.
It is difficult to unweave the tangled interrelations of all the different FCC rules, especially part 15 where unlicensed devices are concerned and non technical operating practices are not spelled out. The best advice is to stay legal with the technical specs. and use common sense while operating, and DarkStar is doing so by suggesting that you avoid certain callsigns which may be legal identifiers for other stations.
I am saying that you are not required to identify your transmissions but may do so if you choose. If you do, follow DarkStar's advice. When I use my part 15 transmitters I do not identify and am not violating the rules, but when I transmit on the ham bands I do identify because the rules require this.
Neil
Well, I read some more rules and found this (with the help of another poster on another site)
47 CFR 73.3550(l) states:
" (l) Users of nonlicensed, low-power devices operating under part 15
of this chapter may use whatever identification is currently desired, so
long as propriety is observed and no confusion results with a station
for which the FCC issues a license.".
Hope this clears up the issue.
Neil
MRAM 1500 kHz
Bingo as they say. I thank you for that research. This eliminates much well meant conjecture and personal opinion with hard FCC fact.
And now I can happily announce to my audience that this is MRAM 1500 on your AM dial.
Thanks for everyones input.