From today's FCC Digest:
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AMENDMENT OF PART 97 OF THE COMMISSION'S RULES REGARDING AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS DURING GOVERNMENT DISASTER DRILLS.
Amended the rules in this proceeding.
Dismissed the American Hospital Association request for blanket waiver.
Dismissed the Amateur Radio Policy Committee Petition for Rulemaking. (Dkt No. 10-72 10-54 ).
Action by: the Commission.
Adopted: 07/14/2010 by R&O. (FCC No. 10-124). PSHSB
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-10-124A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-10-124A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-10-124A1.txt
Current rules provide for amateur radio use during emergencies.2 At the same time, the rules prohibit communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer.3 While there are some exceptions to this prohibition, there is none that would permit amateur station control operators who are employees of public safety agencies and other entities, such as hospitals, to participate in drills, tests and exercises in preparation for such emergency situations and transmit messages on behalf of their employers during such drills and tests.4
Accordingly, we amend our rules to provide that, under certain limited conditions, amateur radio operators may transmit messages during emergency and disaster preparedness drills and exercises, limited to the duration of such drills and exercises, regardless of whether the operators are employees of entities participating in the drills or exercises.
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