[aprssig] APRS spouse

[Herb Gerhardt]

This topic has been beaten to death over the years.  Yes, I realize we have
new hams coming aboard all the time so I will summarize the "rules" from
memory the best I can.  I too was turned in a number of years ago for giving
SAR teams operating trackers with the keyboard/display locked.

The answer came back from the ARRL that stated that this was perfectly legal
as long as a Control Operator was available to control the tracker and have
it shut down within a reasonable amount of time should something go frubar.
The availability could be in person, via computer, telephone, cell phone,
or, any type of radio including SAR radios.  The bottom line was that as
long as a control operator was monitoring the tracker and was able to make
contact with the tracker holder and tell them to shut it down within a
reasonable amount of time should the control operator noticed that something
had gone array.  The control operator did not have to be within physical
sight of his tracker.

Pretty simple explanation and one we can all live with.  I hope this
explanation can put this issue to rest again till it surfaces again in a few
years.

Herb, KB7UVC
NW APRS Group, West Sound Coordinator
Our WEB Site:  http://www.nwaprs.info



> -----Original Message-----
> From: aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org
> [mailto:aprssig-bounces at lists.tapr.org]On Behalf Of Chris Rose
> Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 5:13 PM
> To: TAPR APRS Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS spouse
>
>
> I would caution anyone who does this that if no one has any
> control over it and it malfunctions who can or will turn if off?
> If the woman driving the car can't and it QRMs for any reason and
> can't be shut off, how is that curteous and keeping with our
> standard of having a control operator available to shut off a
> transmitter due to malfunction?  Repeaters have to have DTMF or
> telephone controls to turn them off.  I would think this tracker
> needs a shut off of some kind.  If that means the driver of the
> car, then so be it.
>
> 73,
> Chris
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Jason Rausch <jason at ke4nyv.com>
> To: TAPR APRS Mailing List <aprssig at lists.tapr.org>
> Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2006 12:03:56 PM
> Subject: Re: [aprssig] APRS spouse
>
>
> My understanding on this was it was ok as long as the
> person drving the vehical did not have direct access
> to the equipment.  I guess meaning that the equipment
> would be left to operate in the manner that the
> licesed ham set them up to operate.
>
> Sort of the same thing with tactical callsigns on
> vehicals like in a bike race, as long as the licensed
> ham's callsign is in the comment field, that makes it
> legal.
>
> Anyways, thats how it was emplained to me.
>
> Just my $0.02,
> Jason KE4NYV
> www.ke4nyv.com
> RPC Electronics
> www.rpc-electronics.com
>
>
> --- Roger Hammond <rahammond at charter.net> wrote:
>
> > I would imagine this subject has probably been
> > beaten to death and has as
> > many gray areas as a black & white photo, but here
> > goes...
> > Is it legal to run an APRS tracker in an unlicensed
> > spouses vehicle? For
> > that matter, the one in my vehicle runs 24/7
> > (KC0MWM-9) and if she were to
> > drive my vehicle it would be running.
> > I'm also involved in Amateur Radio High Altitude
> > Ballooning and essentially
> > the tracker on board the balloon payload is no
> > different.
> >
> > I'm curious what everyone thinks about the
> > legalities of this type of
> > operation.
> >
> > Comments and suggestions?
> >
> > Roger KC0MWM
> > www.cnnsp.org