Differing Opinions – The Field Day Control Operator (and at Other Times) 26 - April - 2008
Posted by k9zw in Amateur Radio, K9ZW Operations.Tags: Control Operator Rules, FCC Rules, K9ZW, W3BE, World Radio
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It is always something I enjoy, receiving and reading the newspaper “World Radio” publication.
Never fail to find something of interest in it.
One column that has left me puzzled though, is John johnston W3BE’s “Rules & Regs.”
So often the opinions offered in that column are completely at odds with the interpretations of the FCC, ARRL, OOs and about every amateur out there.
The May 2008 issue offers a rash of opinions – mind you “opinions” – on Control Operators, Club Stations, Field Day Stations and the like which are skewed enough, whether exploring special cases or full of logical fallacies based on unstated conditions assumed, as to be impossible to use as a guide.
The motives of creating such confusion or misrepresenting a very narrowly held ultra-restrictive view of FCC rules as broadly accepted FCC practice is most likely an editorial decision we will never really get an insight into.
But the questions covered are serious, deserving accurate interpretation & guidelines.
The ARRL has a great summary FAQ on the Control Operator question:
Who’s in Control of Your Station?
The ARRL expands on a whole group of common FCC questions at:
Regulatory Frequently Asked Questions
Topics covered include:
So there is no need to worry about what a single individual reinterprets the FCC rules as, when you have access to the actual FCC rules and “plain text” from the ARRL to guide you.
73
Steve
I was about to subscribe to World Radio — then I read this article of opinions. I was thinking that if that was the general mindset at World Radio, it really didn’t need my support. It’s nice to hear that I wasn’t alone in my feeling that the article full of “run to Riley” comments wasn’t really in touch with reality.
Hi Bill WA7NWP
Thanks for your comment. You are right that running W3BE’s opinions doesn’t help support the rest of World Radio, but I do look forward to reading most of it. It is a decent value and does have some neat stuff every issue.
It is concerning that in an area where misguidance could lead to violations that they don’t strive to be more accurate.
Perhaps constantly doing a fringe take of re-interpreting the FCC rules is soemthing they would be best to drop?
73
Steve
K9ZW