[drats_users] Non-Hams On D-RATS

[kc4mts]

Hello Kirk and all!

In reference to "    The term control operator throws me a bit here because an unmanned D-RATS RF station has no control operator.   I'm not even certain an unmanned D-RATS RF station can exist under Part 97.  ".... An unmanned station refers to a system which is in remote operation. As an amateur operator we are responsible for any transmission which is sent over RF at our station and if we are not at the radio sending the transmission, we must monitor and have remote control over the station to stop undesired operation. Even a Station operating in beacon mode must have a control operator.
 This is not a new problem. Packet radio using automatic forwarding of mail has caused the same issue to arise before. It is part of our job to monitor transmissions as we are ultimatly responsible for what ever is sent over our radios.

You have some good ideas for gaining some automatic control over what is passed through RF. On the other hand a feature that would stop an email from going through an RF link would probably need to be turned off for emergencies as some DRATS users and EOCs use tactical call signs and a critical emergency or priority message could easily be rejected instead of getting to the destination.

I believe your statement about non Hams refers to a party (as in trouble maker or rif-raf) that is sending data over amatuer frequecies during a non emergency condition for the purposes of bypassing paid subscription or normal  unlicenced methods of sending the data. This is usually handled in the same manner that a trouble maker (even a Ham) would be delt with when causing spurious transmissions over voice. You do not have to be an official observer to request some one to stop violating FCC rules, and if the party continues to violate the rules they can be reported to the FCC for further action.

Alan McGrew kc4mts
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