[CQ-Contest] 'borrowing a callsign'

[Chuck]

Is perfectly legal and acceptable PROVIDING the
holder of that callsign agrees.

The following provisos are applicable.

1) YOU assume the responsibility of being the
control operator of the station EVERY TIME that
callsign is used on the air. You, along with the
holder of the call, remain liable for any
violations that occur while you operate under
that callsign.

2) Any violations are the responsibility of BOTH
YOU and the holder of the callsign. The holder is
responsible becuase they delegated the AUTHORITY
to use the call BUT they still hold the ultimate
RESPONSIBILITY attendent to the callsign. YOU, as
the control operator hold responsibility to
assure that things are 'done according to Hoyle'
as defined in Part 97 of the FCC rules.

ASSUMING THE LICENSE CLASS OF THE CONTROL
OPERATOR ARE IDENTICAL TO THOSE OF THE HOLDER OF
THE CALLSIGN BEING 'BORROWED'then you would
simply operate as normal and use that callsign in
lieu of yours.

IF your priveldges are less than those of the
holder of the callsign (assume the holder of the
callsign is an EXTRA and you are not) then you
would be required to ID as per the rules defined
in Part 97 that relate to a lesser class licensee
using a callsign of a higher class licensee. 

That is.. you would be limited by the priveledges
of YOUR licensee as control operator. You could
not (legally) operate in the EXTRA CLASS segments
if all you had was a General or Advanced class
ticket = even IF the borrowed call is an EXTRA
CLASS licensee's callsign.

If your priveldges are HIGHER than those of the
person whom you are 'borrowing the call' from,
you would need to ID as per the rquirements of
Part 97 IF you operate OUTSIDE the band segments
authorized to the holder of the callsign you
borrowed.

But the FCC has ZERO problem with you 'borrowing'
a callsign of another ham, as long as that ham
agrees AND the provisions of Part 97 are
followed. 

HAVE AT IT!

73

Chuck k3FT



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