This is probably a simple question, but I've never thought about or looked into it.
Once you have licensed FCC frequencies for a base unit, are they specific to the unit/applicant, or applicant?
Example - I supply the company submitting the application with the details of the GPS unit that will act as a base.?ÿ On my behalf, they apply for and get permission to use frequencies with the FCC.?ÿ I use that unit for a while, but eventually have to replace that base unit.?ÿ Is it just a matter of buy a new unit and input frequencies in it because it is similar in nature to the replaced unit or was there a specific tie to the radio in the first unit that requires some form of update with the FCC?
I am pretty sure it is the use of the frequencies, not the device. You also have a "call sign" that is part of the broadcast message I think.
The frequencies are not device specific.
As mentioned above, you need to transmit your call sign every 10 minute. Your radio should have settings that allow you to add your call sign and how often it will automatically broadcast it.
Make sure you understand and follow the FCC rules as they can fine you severely.
I recommend programming the radio with only the frequencies that you are licensed for and deleting all non-licensed frequencies. You or your crew do not want to accidentally pick the wrong one.
Lastly, when applying for the license for your GNSS radio you may want to request voice option if you want to use UHF radios for communication.
licensed for and deleting all non-licensed frequencies
This should be a vendor specifically set process in the purchase process. I have a little experience with the full blown FCC process, but I worked at a municipality and they get the widest of latitudes in the filing for license process.
Talk with your vendor. If they're not able to concretely answer the questions and just push it off to you or another entity for the completion, find another vendor. There's a few really solid regional and national companies that definitely get it done.
good luck, I'll Pm you any additional info I can grab from my work/notes/information when I was doing this type of thing.
Thanks for the information guys. That makes sense and is what I was hoping to hear.
My plan was to go ahead and get the frequencies based on one unit with the full intention of replacing that unit w/ another shortly. I didn't want to mess that plan up by misunderstanding why the unit info was being requested on some of the application processor forms.
I'll Pm you any additional info I can grab from my work/notes/information when I was doing this type of thing.
I appreciate the info, but don't put yourself out gathering it. The vendor information is readily available on setting the unit up. It seems pretty straight forward and I'm sure I can get vendor support as needed.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong but there should be no need for licensing on the user end. It is up to the manufacturer of the equipment to obtain licenses for the frequency ranges that the base would be using. There are extremely few instances where your equipment, working in an assigned frequency range would occur, other than another base operating within your base's range on the same assigned frequency.
@chris-bouffard Stand corrected. To legally broadcast using an external radio you need to have a license. Whether that holds true if you are only using the internal radios, I'm uncertain. So if you were only referring to the internal radios of the equipment it is very possible that you may sit uncorrected.
Whether that holds true if you are only using the internal radios, I'm uncertain.
It does.
Radio manufacturers have no clue when or where their products will be purchased, nor do they know where they might be transported for use.
Commercial radios broadcast at a set frequency range and a set frequency interval. It is the end user's responsibility to pick the correct frequency (and broadcast at the correct "efficiency" interval - remember narrowbanding?).
Certain radio bands do not require a license when operated under a certain power level.
You can go as far down the rabbit hole as you wish concerning frequency allocations and licensing, but rest assured that the end user operating the gear is responsible for how it is used.
I use that unit for a while, but eventually have to replace that base unit. Is it just a matter of buy a new unit and input frequencies in it because it is similar in nature to the replaced unit or was there a specific tie to the radio in the first unit that requires some form of update with the FCC?
It could be that the new base has different emission designators. These differ between radios even of the same brand. If you purchase the exact same model and the emission designators are the same then you would be covered, as long as the emission designators originally listed are correct. It's more than just frequencies.
To get an amateur radio license doesn’t take much effort at all.
you’d be covered for 10 years, after which there’s a small fee to renew.
I think the test was maybe $15
I did maybe 4-5 hours of study/practice questions on the couch after work one week and passed the test that Friday.
hamexam.org
use it until you’ve seen all test questions. Take a practice exam until you get 70%, and you should pass easily.
Another good link with helpful information
https://www.gpsengr.com/2019/10/10/fcc-licensing-of-gnss-rtk-radios/
@native1 There are two issues with operating with an amateur radio license.
- I confidently guess that manufacturers expect users to operate on frequencies allocated to business or government, so I would look carefully to see if the equipment I want to use can operate in amateur bands.
- Transmissions in the amateur radio service must comply with FCC regulations Part 47 § 97.113 Prohibited transmissions (a)(2) "No amateur station shall transmit: ... Communications for hire or for material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised, except as otherwise provided in these rules".
So if you're just a hobbyist or a student who doesn't receive a scholarship, you're fine. Some situations I'm not sure about:
- A student on a scholarship
- A surveyor who is learning to use equipment and not engaged in any specific paying project and is not receiving salary or hourly wages for the activity
- GPS on Benchmarks, not getting paid for it.
Relying on an amateur license while "on the clock" or working on a project for a paying customer is an obvious violation.
DE WY2Y
