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Old March 21st 07, 12:50 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.moderated
[email protected] N2EY@AOL.COM is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 877
Default Being paid while you operate

On Mar 20, 2:57�pm, Rick wrote:
On Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:40:22 -0400, Russ wrote:
Being a Taxi driver and being dispatched by amateur radio = No - No!
Being a Taxi driver and visiting with friends on the local 2-meter while
waiting for a fa *No Problem.


Right. *I agree with that. *And it's been my interpretation of the rules
for 44 years.

But, now along comes the ARRL and, in their Extra Class License Manual,
says "There is a general rule that you may not be paid to operate your
Amateur Radio station. *


And that's true. Except in certain specific cases, an
Amateur Radio operator cannot be paid to operate
an Amateur Radio station.

In most cases this also means that you cannot
operate an Amateur Radio station during the time that you are being paid
by your employer.".

That's true as well - in *most* cases. Not *all* cases.

Where do you suppose they came up with that goofball interpretation of the
rule?


It's not a "goofball interpretation" at all. It's just common
sense. In *most* cases you cannot legally operate an
Amateur Radio station during the time that you are being paid by your
employer.

The exceptions a

- Teachers and other educators that use Amateur Radio as
part of the curriculum (that's in the rules)
- Break times, layover/rest times and meal periods, when
the employee is being paid but is not expected to be working.
- Space Shuttle and other space operations (generally considered to be
a combination of the above two exceptions)
- In an emergency situation if all other means of
communication are not available. (This applies to just about
any radio available - but it better be a real emergency!)

Just common sense.

btw, someone gave some examples, such as the BNSF
locomotive engineer and the taxi driver. It should be noted
that while *FCC* Part 97 rules may permit the operations
described, that does not make them 100% OK.

Many employers have rules prohibiting their employees'
on-duty use of radios other than those provided by the
employer. In some cases this includes personal cell
phones. The idea is to eliminate distractions, and the
possibility of interference between radio systems. Of
course this does not apply in an emergency if the normal
means of communication aren't available, and the employer's rules
usually allow for that.

It doesn't do amateur radio any good if an employee comes
under disciplinary action or is fired for operating an amateur
radio station on the job. Particularly if that operation
compromises safety or getting the job done.

73 de Jim, N2EY