[aprssig] N1547C tracker

[Steve Dimse]

On Oct 20, 2005, at 10:59 AM, James wrote:

> This has been talked about many times before, the synapses is that  
> a control operator must be in the vicinity of the transmitter. It  
> is stated in the rules.

But the rules also allow for automatically controlled operation,  
which is exactly what a tracker is. You are trying to apply the wrong  
section of the rules.
>
> Lets take a parade or a the MS150 or some event, and a tracker is  
> installed in a vehicle that is a non ham, is this legal?

Absolutely, as an automatically controlled station. The requirement  
is that operation cease when ordered by the engineer in charge. There  
is no requirement that the cessation occur via amateur radio means.
>
> Have most of us handed our non licensed wife, kids, friends and /or  
> mistresses a HT when out in the field and run simplex, sure we  
> have. Is this legal?
>
> It is what is called the "Grey Area".

Nothing grey about this, it is completely illegal. I have never done  
it. Just because you have done it and yet haven't been caught does  
not make it grey. When you push a PTT button, you are controlling a  
transmitter. When you flip power on a tracker though, it is the  
automatic controller that determines the transmit instant, not the  
power switch.
>
> The issue here is not the grey area, the issue here is a non ham in  
> control of a ham transmitter thousands of miles away, is a cell  
> phone considered a control link?
>
> Is it legal to have a non amateur device controlling a amateur device?

It is not a control link, which has very specific meaning under Part  
97. It is a means to cease operation if you should be notified to do  
so by the EIC.

Steve K4HG