[CQ-Contest] Remote Control in Contests

[Doug Smith]

Barry Merrill wrote:
> I've considered operating EI/W5GN remotely, but:
> 
> But is it LEGAL????
> 
> For example, this statement in the CommReg (Irish FCC) rules, would seem
> to prevent me from operating EI/W5GN from Dallas, and I'm willing to wager
> that the same restrictions exist in all of the amateur rules, worldwide:
> 
> "(n) the Licensee shall ensure that, save as may be required by law, access
> to,
> and use of, the Apparatus is restricted to the Licensee or persons operating
> under the direct supervision of the Licensee;"

I recall similar language being printed on U.S. licenses in the past -- but it's not on my current license, issued in 2004.  Nor can I find it in the 
current FCC regulations.

Of course, regulations obviously vary in other countries and one should never assume that what's legal in the U.S. is legal in some other country!

Again remembering that Ireland is not the USA, the US-FCC never interpreted that language as prohibiting remote operation -- it's been legal (and 
widely used by VHF/UHF repeaters) for decades, and there have been no objections to the more recent remote operation of "traditional" HF stations.

-- 

Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View, TN  EM66