Technician 2022-2026T1D02

Under which of the following circumstances are one-way transmissions by an amateur station prohibited?

B
Answer
FCC rules, station licensing, and operator duties
Type
A
In all circumstances
B
Broadcasting
C
International Morse Code Practice
D
Telecommand or transmissions of telemetry

Answer Notes

In the context of FCC regulations, 'broadcasting' is specifically defined as transmissions intended for reception by the general public. Because amateur radio is designed primarily as a two-way communications service between licensed operators, broadcasting is strictly prohibited on the amateur bands. However, it is a mistake to think that one-way transmissions are prohibited 'in all circumstances.' The FCC explicitly permits certain types of one-way transmissions, such as sending telemetry to space stations, controlling remote devices (telecommand), transmitting informational bulletins to other amateurs, and sending Morse code practice. Therefore, while many one-way transmissions serve a legitimate purpose in amateur radio, using your station to broadcast entertainment, music, or news to the general public is always forbidden.
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With which countries are FCC-licensed amateur radio stations prohibited from exchanging communications?
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When is it permissible to transmit messages encoded to obscure their meaning?