#operating regulations

So per FCC regulations, unidentified transmissions are not allowed, no matter how brief.  This means that no call sign was associated with a transmission.  So even if all you're doing is testing your antenna, speaking your call sign will work.  And to see if you're in reach of a distant repeater, don't just key the mic and listen for the repeater's signal, that's called kerchunking because of the sound that everyone else hears.  Say your call sign!

Normal Identification

Main rules are to give your call sign at least once every 10 minutes during a contact and when the contact is finished.  You'll generally need to give your call to establish contact of course.  If the contact is too short for the 10 minute rule just give your call sign as you end the contact.  This applies to test transmissions as well. 

The purpose of identification is to state the source of the signal.  You don't have to give the other station's call sign but it is for convenience and good practice.  The call can be given in CW, voice, image, or even digital transmission.  If you are using a phone, you are required to identify in English and the FCC recommends the use of phonetics when you id by voice, even using CW is acceptable.

Tactical Calls

These are used to help identify where a station is and what it is doing.  These include "First Aid Station." "Hollywood and Vine," etc.  These are usually used during an emergency and public service operation when providing communications.

These do not replace regular call signs and regular identification rules apply - every 10 minutes and at the end.  These allow consistent identification based on function so that people didn't have to remember which call sign was doing what function where.  When a new operator takes over, he/she gives their call sign along with a tactical call: "This is N1OJS at Race Headquarters."  They would then continue to use the tactical call from then on with N10JS every 10 minutes.

Self Assigned Indicators

When operating away from the home station, add infmroation to your call sign so that other stations are aware of your location.  So for instance, if Alaskan KL7CC is operating from a location in the lower 48, he may give his call sign as "KL7CC/W3."  The added W3 is called a self assigned indicator (or portable designator).

To quote FCC part 97.119(c): "One or more indicators may be included iwth teh call sign.  Each indicator must be separated from the call sign by the slant mark or by any suitable word that denotes the slant mark.  If an indicator is self assigned, it must be included before, after, or both before and after, the call sign."

W3/KL7CC or

KL7CC/W3 using stroke, slash, or portable between indicator and call sign.

The indicator, as mentioned in previous articles, is not allowed to conflict with another indicator specified in the FCC rules.  It may also not conflict with a prefix assigned to some mother country.  That way someone hearing you say /MOB knows you're mobile instead of you saying /M and someone thinking you're in a different country.

Huzzah!  We have moved onto the penultimate chapter on Operating Regulations!  For those just starting out with the technician license, like me, apparently the test covers the regulations heavily.

In any case, first, all transmissions must be made under the control of a properly-licensed operator who is responsible for making sure all FCC rules are followed.  That operator is the station's control operator.  There can only be one control operator for a station at a time - that's the person responsible for station operation, no matter who's actually talking into the microphone.

So amateur rules are based around two main points:

A control operator is responsible for creating a signal.  A control operator must be in the FCC amateur license database or be an alien with reciprocal operating authorization.  The FCC needs to know who you are, that you are licensed, and where you can be contacted.  Any licensed amateur can be a control operator.

A control point is where control is asserted by the control operator.  The control point is where the station's control function is performed (rig/walkietalkie/etc).  Usually the control point is at the transmitter and the control operator physically manipulates the control of the transmitter.  The control point can be remotely located and connected by phone lines, the internet, or a radio link.

Control Operator

The control operator doesn't have to be the station licensee and doesn't even have to be physically present at the transmitter, but all amateur transmissions are the responsibility of a control operator.  The station licensee is responsible for designating the control operator (This could be as simple as you the amateur designating yourself as the control operator of your station).

Now as the control operator you can operate the station in anyway permitted by the privileges of your license class.  The station owner's privileges don't matter, only the privileges of the control operator. 

Being a guest operator is common.  A guest operator hosted by a higher class licensee can operate using the host's privileges only if the host is the control operator.  Otherwise the guest is limited by their own license.

Example. You, a technician-class licensee is invited to hang out with your Elmer's station who's an Extra licensee.  While your Elmer is supervising and acting as control operator, you can operate the station on any amateur band and mode.  If however your Elmer decides to go to the store, you're restricted to your technician privileges.

If you are the guest and have a higher class license, you can use your privileges as the control operator whether the host is present or not.

Regardless of license class, both the guest operator and station owner are responsible for proper operation of the station.  And the station owner is responsible for limiting access to the station to only licensees that will follow the FCC rules.  Note that the FCC will presume the station licensee to be the control operator unless there is written record to the contrary.

There are many opportunities for non-hams to make contacts with ham rigs.  This is not wrong as long as a control operator is present when transmissions are made.  Though non-hams may be physically capable of turning on the mic and using the microphone, they are not allowed to do so because they are not licensed.  No license = no control operator = no unsupervised transmission.  However, using the equipment to receive is not a problem!

Identification

If you are visiting another station, you must identify using the callsign of the host no matter who has the highest class license.  If the guest operator has a higher class license, the guest id's with the callsign of the host followed by their own.

If KD7FYX (Gen Class) uses KD7PFA's station (technician) on the 20 meter voice band where technicians do not have privileges, he must sign "KD7PFA/KD7FYX".  If he is on a band where both licensees have the same privileges, then he just has to say his own call sign.

If the host lends the station, then you can just use "KD7FYX" as the guest instead of having to say both callsigns.