MComm Ch5 - 1

Chapter 5Chapter 5

FCC(Federal Communications Commission)

Rules and Regulations

HARL M PORTER

05/ 18/ 95

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• Communications Act of 1934

• FCC Rules (CFR Title 47, Part 80)

• Maritime Radio Licenses

• Frequency Plan

• Summary

OverviewOverview

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• “Keel” of Maritime Radio Rules• CFR Title 47, Part 80

Stations in the Maritime Services Last revised 1 Oct 2002 In revision right now Purpose

Safety of Life at Sea Effective use of maritime bands

Know and comply with Rules and Regulations Reduce interference

• To emergency/distress communications

Communications Act of 34

Communications Act of 34

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MComm Ch5 - 4

CFR Title 47, Part 80CFR Title 47, Part 80

Available online

[Code of Federal Regulations][Title 47, Volume 5]

TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

PART 80--STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES

80.1 General: This section contains the statutory basis for this part of the rules and provides the purpose for which this part is issued.

(a) Basis. The rules for the maritime services …

(b) Purpose. This part states the conditions under which radio may be licensed and used in the maritime services. These rules do not govern radio stations operated by agencies of the U.S. Government. >>

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• Categories of Ships

• Authorized Users

• Monitoring Requirement

• Priority of Communications

• Security of Communications

• Violations

FCC RulesFCC Rules

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• Compulsory Licensed to carry more than 6 passengers

Cargo and passenger ships Must have radios and navigational

equipment

• Voluntary Recreational vessels under 65 feet If 65 feet or over, vessel must carry a

radio and have a Ship Station License

Categories of ShipsCategories of Ships

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• Primary: safety• Secondary: needs of the vessel

• Prohibited Uses Profane, obscene or indecent language False distress signals Social conversations General calls

Not addressed to specific station Except: distress, alarm, urgency, safety signals

or test

Authorized UsesAuthorized Uses

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Monitoring RequirementsMonitoring Requirements

• If you have VHF-FM DSC radio Must monitor DSC channel 70 (done

automatically)

Should also monitor channel 16 Unless communicating on working channel USPS pledge: “to render assistance, whenever

possible to anyone afloat who is disabled or in distress”

• If you do NOT have a VHF-FM DSC radio Must monitor channel 16

Unless communicating on working channel

• Scanning radios monitor several channels Suggest 09, 13, 16 and working>>

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• Distress (MAYDAY)

• Urgency (PAN PAN) “Pahn-pahn”

• Safety (SECURITY) “Saycure-it-tay”

• Navigation, movements and needs of ship

• Government

• All Other (non-emergency) Most communications from recreational craft

Priority of Communications

Priority of Communications

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• Determine that frequency is not in use before making a call

• If you may cause interference to a call in progress, cease transmitting

• Priority of communications prevents interference to most important calls

Prevention of InterferencePrevention of Interference

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• At the beginning and end of each communication Not during transmission Details will be provided in

chapter 6

• At 15 minute intervals

• In English

Station IdentificationStation Identification

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• Communications Act of 1934 protects privacy of radio communications

• A radio operator may NOT divulge: Content of message Existence of message

• A radio listener may NOT divulge: Content of message Existence of message

• Knowledge gained Cannot be used for any purpose

Security of Communications

Security of Communications

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• Violations can be charged against: Radio operator and/or licensee and/or owner/captain

• Notifications to Violators Warning (requires no reply) Official Notice (requires answer within 10

days) Notice of Apparent Liability

Fine Answered per instructions in notice

ViolationsViolations

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• Transmitting false MAYDAYs

• Interfering with distress signals

• Willfully interfering with another station

• Using obscene, profane or indecent language

Serious ViolationsSerious Violations

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• Transmitting Without required license

Ship Station or Operator’s License With unauthorized call sign With non-type accepted equipment

or with too much power On an unauthorized frequency

• Interfering With distress or other priority signals

Common Violations – 1Common Violations – 1

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• Failure to Obey a cease and desist order Reply to a violation notice from FCC Maintain Radio Silence when

required

• Performing or allow unauthorized adjustments on transmitter

Common Violations - 2Common Violations - 2

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• Violations can be charges against Radio operator and/or licensee and/or owner/captain

• Penalties License revocation Equipment forfeiture Fines (up to $10,000) Imprisonment (up to 2 years) Civil Liabilities

PenaltiesPenalties

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• Ship Station

• Operator

Maritime Radio LicensesMaritime Radio Licenses

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• Required for MF/HF SSB radios Satellite radios

INMARSAT• Mini C• Mini M

• MMSI issued VHF-FM radios MF/HF SSB radios INMARSAT terminals

• EPIRB must be registered with NOAA• Owner must update both the MMSI and

NOAA databases

Ship Station LicenseShip Station License

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Ship Station LicenseShip Station License

• NOT required for• VHF-FM radios

(voluntary)• Satellite phones

• Globalsat• Iridium• IsatPhone

• Sky Mate• VHF satellite system

• EPIRB• Radar

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Ship Station LicenseShip Station License

MF/HF 2.0-27.5 MHZ

04-05-18 14-05-18

Required for MF/HF SSB Radio and INMARSAT terminals

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How to Obtain Station License

How to Obtain Station License

• Need FCC Registration Number (FRN) Electronically at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls

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How to Obtain - 2How to Obtain - 2• Complete FCC form 605

Electronically at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls

0.44 hours to complete 2 page form

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How to Obtain - 3How to Obtain - 3

The date of birth will not be made available

for public inspection.

Complete Schedule E of FCC form 605

Electronically at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls

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How to Obtain - 4How to Obtain - 4• Pay processing fee of $160

Electronically at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls

FCC form 159

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• Eligibility Individuals or Corporations Not to Foreign Governments

or their representatives

• Call Sign Name of Vessel or FCC issued Call Sign

• Posting of License Not Required Must be readily available

• Renewable, 10-year license

Details on Ship LicenseDetails on Ship License

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• VHF-FM Required Minimum of RR, if not

in: US waters International waters

Minimum of MP If 65 feet or larger Commercial

• MF/HF SSB Required Minimum of RR Regardless of length In any waters

Operator LicensesOperator Licenses

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Operator LicensesOperator Licenses

• Not Required for• VHF-FM Recreational

• Under 65 feet• In US waters• In International waters

• In case of emergency• Anyone may transmit a

Mayday• License is NOT required

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Types of Licenses - RRTypes of Licenses - RR

• Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit Meets all recreational boater needs No exam, lifetime license Application and fee

HARL M PORTER

05/ 18/ 95

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• By application, no exam

• Need FCC Registration Number (FRN) Electronically at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls

• Complete FCC from 605 and its schedule E Electronically at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls

• Pay processing fee of $60 With FCC form 159 Electronically at http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls Can use credit card

• Lifetime license (no expiration date)

How to Obtain RR License

How to Obtain RR License

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• Details on Marine Radio Operators Permit or MP are covered in Appendix B Required if vessel is 65 feet or larger If carrying more than 6 passengers for hire Non-technical license

• Details on General Radiotelephone Operators License also in Appendix B Combination Operators & Maintainer License Written technical (electronics) exam

Advanced LicensesAdvanced Licenses

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Marine Radio Frequency Plan

Marine Radio Frequency Plan

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• Maritime Radio Bands

• Sea Areas

OverviewOverview

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• Marine Radiotelephone Bands 2 to 3 MHz – Medium Frequency SSB (AM) 4 to 27.5 MHz – High Frequency SSB (AM) 156 to 162 MHz – Very High Frequency FM

• Bands by Sea Area Sea Area A1 – use VHF-FM (20 mile range) Sea Area A2 – use MF-SSB (100 mile

range) Sea Area A3 – use INMARSAT or HF-SSB Sea Area A4 – use HF-SSB

Maritime Radio BandsMaritime Radio Bands

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Sea AreasSea Areas• A1 - Shore out to 20 nm• A2 - From 20 out to 100 nm from shore• A3 - Over 100 nm from shore 70º N to

70º S• A4 - Polar regions beyond 70º

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• Details on Marine Radio Frequencies are found in Appendix A

• Details on NOAA Weather Channels are also found in Appendix A

Marine Frequencies & Channels

Marine Frequencies & Channels

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MComm Ch5 - 37

• Marine radios are for safety & needs of vessel Prohibited: false distress, social & all stations

• Priorities: Mayday, Urgency (Pan-Pan), Safety (Security), Navigation, Government, then other

• NO license for domestic VHF• RR for foreign VHF and/or all MF/HF

• Must monitor either Channel 16 or 70 (DSC) Unless using a working channel

SummarySummary

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MComm Ch5 - 38

• Three bands for Marine Radio VHF-FM (156 to 162 MHz) Primary

Radio Line-of-Sight MF (2 to 3 MHz) when VHF will not reach HF (4 to 27 MHz) when MF will not reach

• Suggest scanning: 09, 13, 16 and working DSC always monitoring 70

Summary - 2Summary - 2

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