FCC Part 97.111

[KC8VWM]

Interesting...

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§97.111 Authorized transmissions.-

(3) Transmissions necessary to exchange messages with a station in another FCC-regulated service while providing emergency communications;
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Not intended as "out of band" operation discussion but rather I am seeking a clarification of current FCC rules.

I am assuming this is not specifically limited to any one service in scope and applies to the idea of legally operating your amateur radio equipment outside the amateur band in all and any other FCC regulated services during an emergency to provide "emergency communications"?

...Did I get that right?


My next question is ...What constitutes the idea of "emergency communications" exactly as it applies to this rule?

For example: Besides the idea of immediate and imminent danger to life and limb with copious amounts of blood spillage involved, (an emergency in the true sense of the word.) Would "emergency communications" also be considered any as radio communications occuring for the purpose and during the course of delivering and providing "emergency relief"?

Few examples:

Providing communications from the Red Cross shelter in situations declared by the city or state as an "emergency" such as a major snowstorm?
- "emergency comunications?" y/n ?

Providing communications during an "emergency" such as a local flood?, - "emergency comunications?" y/n ?

Providing communications during NWS "weather emergencies" such as ice storms or tornado chasing events? - "emergency comunications?" y/n ?

Providing communication while witnessing a bear tearing the arm off your buddy in the woods while hiking together. - "emergency comunications?" y/n ?

Providing communication during a major power outage occurring in the city? - "emergency comunications?" y/n ?

Seems somewhat vague and without any specific explanation or interpretation of what constitutes the idea of "emergency communications" .. Anyone know?

I'm not involved with emcom or anything like that, but what's the intended scope and purpose of this rule?

[WB2WIK]

E-mail the FCC at FCCinfo@fcc.gov and see if they clarify for you.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a detailed reply.

The replies take on this form:


>Email Acknowledgement


Dear Consumer,
Thank you for contacting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This is an automated message to confirm that we have received your correspondence. We will review your information to determine how we can best serve you.
If you need to send additional information, you may reply back with this email, leaving the case number (example: CIMS0123456789) in the subject line, or contact us at our toll free phone number 1-888-Call-FCC (1-888-225-5322) and reference the case number.
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Visit us at our Web Site located at www.fcc.gov, where you will find a wealth of information on a wide variety of communications-related topics.<

I recently went through the inquiry line trying to get clarification on a section of Part 97. After about fifteen inquiries (repeating the same one, again and again and again, and using the "CIMS" reference number their robot provided), their first answer had absolutely nothing to do with my question.

So, I tried again, pointing out the first response was unrelated to the question.

Weeks later I finally received a reply saying, "It's okay to do what you said," and signed by an "Agent" (in this case, Agent TSR41). That was it. Absolutely no firm reference to my question, and no name.

<Sigh>

[W0IS]

IMHO, I think that all or most of the above would qualify for "emergency communications" for purpose of this rule.

As you noted, this rule would not authorize any out-of-band communications. It would merely authorize (cross-band) communications with stations in other services.

For example, it would allow you to call on an Amateur frequency, "help, a bear is chewing off my arm! I'll listen for replies on channel 19". This would be legal, but probably of limited utility.

[N0IU]

I'm not involved with emcom or anything like that...

If you are that interested in emergency communications, maybe you should get involved! Here's the link to the Oklahoma ARES group: http://www.aresok.org/

Read this information and sign up. They need you! Remember, "When all else fails, amateur radio gets through!"

[AG3Y]

My understanding that the F.C.C. will only allow you to transmit or communicate with another service in emergencies involving a "life or death" situation.

In other words, you could grab a police car radio microphone, if the car was involved in a terrible accident, and the officer was slumped over, unconscious and wrapped around the steering wheel. But you better be able to PROVE IT !

Honestly, WHY all these "please clarify this rule for me" type of posts, lately? Don't people have anything better to do ?

[W0IS]

Again, the rule quoted above does not address the question of frequency, power limits, etc., etc.

It's merely addressing the identity of the other station. So unless that police car microphone happened to be hooked up to a ham rig, this regulation wouldn't really be applicable.

[N0IU]

In other words, you could grab a police car radio microphone, if the car was involved in a terrible accident, and the officer was slumped over, unconscious and wrapped around the steering wheel. But you better be able to PROVE IT !

The reminds me of a blonde joke...

This blonde comes home only to find her front door wide open and her husband laying on the floor in a pool of blood. She calls 9-1-1.

"911, what is your emergency?"

"Send an ambulance quick! My husband has been shot!"

"Is he dead?"

"Hang on, let me check"

The blonde puts the phone down. Footsteps can be heard in the background. Next sound is a handgun slide being racked. BANG!!!! Sound of footsteps back to the telephone.

"OK, he's dead. Now what do I do?"

[WB2WIK]

Read this information and sign up. They need you! Remember, "When all else fails, a cheater can still pass!"

There, fixed that fer ya.

[WB2WIK]

"OK, he's dead. Now what do I do?"[/i]

"Bury him. Have a good day."

[N0IU]

Thank you ladies and gentlemen... I'm here all week! Be sure and tip your waitress.