[CQ-Contest] license class and m-m op's

[Bob Naumann]

K0HB said:
>A "General" class licensee is not a "duly authorized person" in the "Extra"
class portion of the band.  He is therefore classified as a "third party".
>FCC doesn't care what you believe.

VR2BG Said:  
>No he is not.  He is a control operator.  He must be supervised by someone
of a higher license class, or operate within the limits of his operator
license.

By FCC rule he cannot be a control operator under those circumstances:

 § 97.105 Control operator duties.
(a) The control operator must ensure the immediate proper operation of the
station, regardless of the type of control.
(b) A station may only be operated in the manner and to the extent permitted
by the privileges authorized for the class of operator license held by the
control operator.

If he's being supervised by someone else and operating beyond the privileges
of his own license class, he cannot be the control operator.

The FCC rules have changed over the years on this, and have gotten less
clear on this issue.  It used to be more clear that it was not permissible
for a licensed person to operate beyond what their own license class would
allow.

Apparently things have relaxed somewhat in this area along with less
important things like needing to know Morse code etc.

73,

Bob N5NJ