Like any on-air transmission, anyone can listen to ham radio or GMRS communications as long as one knows the channels used for it. The Federal Communication Commission has set a series of rules and regulations that must be followed when broadcasting on air.
FCC’s rules about ham radio
- Transmissions necessary to meet essential communication needs and to facilitate relief actions.
- Transmissions necessary to exchange messages with a station in another FCC-regulated service while providing emergency communications;
- Transmissions necessary to exchange messages with a United States government station, necessary to providing communications in RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service).
- Transmissions necessary to disseminate information bulletins, like NWS alerts.
What an amateur radio operator can’t basically do is to:
- Transmit communications for hire or for material compensation; to transmit communications in which the ham radio operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer (“except when the ham radio operator participates on behalf of an employer in an emergency preparedness or disaster readiness test or drill.”);
- Transmit communications intended to facilitate criminal acts;
- Transmit messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning;
- Transmit obscene or indecent words or language;
- Transmit false or deceptive messages, signals or identification;
- Transmit music.
And the most important thing is that an amateur station shall not engage in any form of broadcasting, nor engage in any activity related to program production or news gathering for broadcasting purposes, “except that communications directly related to the immediate safety of human life or the protection of property may be provided by amateur stations to broadcasters for dissemination to the public where no other means of communication is reasonably available before or at the time of the event.”
And one more thing, according to the FCC, “no provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available” or ‘to assist a station in distress.”
FCC’s rules about GMRS
The FCC’s regulations establish that “any GMRS channel may be used for emergency communications or for traveler assistance. Operators of GMRS stations must, at all times and on all channels, give priority to emergency communications.” Consequently, in the event of a natural disaster, journalists, or any other individuals, can obtain this license.
Reporters can employ their GMRS, nothing prevents them from transmitting information during emergencies such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods. They can gather and transmit information concerning isolated neighborhoods, damage status reports, medical equipment requirements, weather, and environmental alerts, or even mobilize volunteers to address issues like blocked roads that isolate communities.
On the opposite side of the island, another journalist holding a GMRS license and equipped with a station can hear and document these messages, using them to write articles for publication. (International distress signals, such as the word “Mayday” can be transmitted only when on a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in immediate danger to ask for help).
Another thing that reporters -and people in general- can do is to use both radio licenses to let others know that they are ok.
What the GMRS licensee can’t do is conduct an interview over the Global Mobile Radio Service as if it were on an AM or FM radio show. It also can’t be used to provide “messages in connection with any activity that is against Federal, State, or local law; false or deceptive messages; music, whistling, sound effects or material to amuse or entertain; advertisements or offers for the sale of goods or services; advertisements for a political candidate or political campaign,” among others.
Non-compliance with the federal regulations may result in fines of up to US $10,000. But if journalists and neighbors properly use the GMRS, there’s nothing to be worried about. This radio system will make their work and life much easier and will help them communicate during natural disasters.
For further insights into FCC’s rules for GMRS, refer to 47 C.F.R. Part 95 Subpart E.
For further insights into FCC’s rules for ham radio, refer to Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter D Part 97
