[CQ-Contest] Remote Operating - Cross County

[Jim McDonald]

This isn't contesting related, so I apologize.

I've never understood how a ham from outside the US is able to use the current digital systems, such as DMR, which are linked on the internet, to key up a VHF/UHF repeater in the US and identify with the callsign of his/her country (or conversely).  

73,  Jim N7US

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+jim=n7us.net at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Jeff Clarke
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 14:40
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Remote Operating - Cross County

See the Remote Ham Radio Page at
https://www.remotehamradio.com/pricing/  They only allow those who hold a US license to signup for their amateur radio service. Anyone can signup for their SWL plan.

The owners of BeLoud.us are friends of mine and I'm pretty sure they also only allow those with US licenses to operate their stations as well.

The rules for remoting to a station outside the US depends on that particular governments rules. The rules for Bonaire were changed by their licensing agency to allow us to remote to the PJ4G station without a control operator physically at the station location. That's why PJ4A was on the air during the COVID-19 shutdowns. On the other hand the rules for Curacao (PJ2) are different and require an on-site control operator. That's why PJ2T wasn't on the air.

Jeff KU8E


On 7/14/2021 11:56 AM, Randy Thompson wrote:

> This is not a CQ or ARRL contest issue.  It is a government regulations issue.  It is also one where you may not want to ask the question and get and answer you did not expect...
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+k5zd=outlook.com at contesting.com> 
> On Behalf Of Mark - N5OT
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2021 10:10 AM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Remote Operating - Cross County
>
> Good question Ed.
>
> Mike I think you're stretching that mic cord to the point where it breaks.  I decline to pin a conclusion on the personal opinion of one Canadian radio inspector.
>
> The real questions for contest operations would be about whether or not the control operator really is present, and whether or not that control operator is actually controlling the operations. Even so, if I let my unlicensed daughter operate, she can't exactly enter the CQWW like that.  If I let some ham from another country who is not licensed in the USA use my station via remote control, not sure that op can enter CQWW.
>
> Frankly, CQ and ARRL should simply weigh in with their positions on this question and tell us what it is.  I bet there is very little gray to it at all.
>
> 73 - Mark N5OT
>
>
> On 7/14/2021 8:40 AM, Michael Walker wrote:
>> Hi Edward
>>
>> The challenge is, of course, the regulations have not kept up to 
>> technology.
>>
>> In Canada, I had an Radio Inspector describe remote HF operation as a 
>> long Mic cord.  There are no laws that say the operator has to be 
>> sitting in the same room as the radio station.  You are still 
>> governed by the laws based on the location of the physical transmitter.
>>
>> Reciprocal licensing only comes into play if you want to use your 
>> callsign while operating from a foreign country.  It does not apply 
>> if you are guest operating (which is what this is).  In fact, you can 
>> be a guest operator without having a license as long as another 
>> correctly licensed ham is in complete control of the station.
>>
>> 73, Mike va3mw
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 8:09 AM Edward Sawyer < 
>> EdwardS at advanced-conversion.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Actually I don't believe you are correct.  When you are "in person"
>>> in the country, you are governed by the reciprocal licensing of the 
>>> 2 countries for people visiting.  There is nothing in that normal 
>>> language that discussing doing that virtually for most countries 
>>> (maybe some have added language - not sure).  An internet connection 
>>> does not make you "in the country".  Which is a good thing for tax purposes..
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This is in fact the question.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Ed  N1UR
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* Michael Walker <va3mw at portcredit.net>
>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 14, 2021 8:03 AM
>>> *To:* Edward Sawyer <EdwardS at advanced-conversion.com>
>>> *Cc:* cq-contest at contesting.com
>>> *Subject:* Re: [CQ-Contest] Remote Operating - Cross County
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This would be the same if I visited from Canada to the US and 
>>> visited someones station and operated a contest from their callsign.  Nothing wrong
>>> with that as long as it doesn't exceed the terms of my license.   Think of
>>> it as a long mic cord.  :)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The question is can I 'keep' the QSO's in my person log?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Good question.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Mike va3mw
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jul 13, 2021 at 9:13 PM Edward Sawyer < 
>>> EdwardS at advanced-conversion.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> I continue to see postings of scores by a ham outside the US 
>>> operating a US based remote site.  The hams do not have their own US 
>>> callsign and "borrow" someone else's callsign from the US.  I am 
>>> pretty sure this is an illegal operation in the US.  Am I missing 
>>> something?  Its happening pretty much every contest now.
>>>
>>> Ed  N1UR