The biggest issue is a commercial entity using amateur frequencies to conduct business. EVEN IF they were all licensed amateurs, they would still be in violation of the rules. Being unlicensed is only part of the problem. Carlos is a Ham, and he's using ham radio as intended... To make contacts with other hams. Big difference.

@MentalWhiplash

Ай бұрын

I was surprised the FCC didn't mention that in the letter as well.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Sure, to conduct business, that's wrong. But many companies have Ham Radio clubs also

@TheRetiredtech

Ай бұрын

But they were obviously using this for business no ham club. Totally not applicable in any way to this incident.. and sadly the current FCC enforcement personnel have no idea of the actual rules applicable.

@timothystockman7533

Ай бұрын

Had they been licenced as GMRS stations, conducting business on GMRS frequencies is no problem. Or FRS...

It's a business, they should just get a business license.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Yes, for official business use. But lots of companies have Ham Radio clubs also

I’ve heard of Parks on the Air. But never Air on the Air.

@hparkersd

Ай бұрын

Carlos calls it “Parachute Mobile”.

Not only driving at 140MPH, but also not having a driver’s license.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

That too

Even if you have a ham license, you still can’t use the ham frequencies for business use

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Correct but that isn't what I was talking about

For GMRS each user needs a license, group or business licenses are not issued in GMRS. They can use FRS radios, some of the channels are shared with GMRS. Even if all users are licensed hams they cannot use ham radio for business operations.

@JeffN4POD

Ай бұрын

Unless they're all "cousins" I suppose.. 😂

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

No, not for business, but lots of companies have Ham Radio clubs

@DarkShadowCustoms

Ай бұрын

@@JeffN4POD more like "siblings" or "in-laws" since a GMRS license does not cover cousins.

@DarkShadowCustoms

Ай бұрын

GMRS and FRS share the exact same frequencies with the exception of the repeater inputs, which are allocated for GMRS use only.

There was a local guy ab 20 years ago that was sold a 2 meter ht. He wasn't a ham though. His son started using it not knowing what it was really for. Kid had an attitude problem, with a very small vocabulary. His dad got on one day. So I just told him to take the rig back and explained what he had actually bought. He did, got the right radio this time, and we had no more problems. I think "the shack" sold him a ham rig, instead of the CB that he was looking for!

@mikesmith-po8nd

Ай бұрын

@Robbie-sk6vc, they did that here in WV with the bear hunters starting in the 90's. It peaked in the 2010's when they used simplex on the repeater inputs. (I can't prove that was deliberate, but they were exactly on frequency with the correct ctcss.) I'm not blaming Rat Shack because it was a couple employees making a fast buck, not company policy.

@Robbie-sk6vc

Ай бұрын

@@mikesmith-po8nd Yep. This kid has the right pl tone, offset, and everything! I know it wasn't a company deal. For the pay, I don't expect the hired help to know it all! That's really the only problem we've ever had with deliberate interface or rule violations around here thank goodness. And it hasn't happened since!

The “on purpose” got me 😂😂

As a former skydiving instructor (D-22772) and current ham (KF5ZSD), my best guess is that Skydive Elsinore was using the radios to talk down Accelerated Free Fall (AFF) students doing their first few solo jumps. It's common practice for the instructor to land first, then give navigation instructions to the student, via radio. Typically, only the instructor (not the student) transmits (though I did once have a student reply from her radio to tell me that she'd dislocated her shoulder and needed to know how to land with one arm). To be honest, I have no idea what frequencies my Central Texas drop zone used (I wasn't a ham back then). I always assumed that our drop zone was licensed to use the frequencies we operated on, but it's possible that we were engaging in the same type of unlicensed transmission.

144.120 is in the weak signal part of the band and no one should be doing FM down there so that’s fun. 144.200 is the SSB calling freq.

This brings up a question of why are Ham Radio's NOT allowed for use on commercial airlines? Just think of the number of contacts you could hit from 20,000 feet up in the sky! Even with a low powered HT.

@richardhole8429

Ай бұрын

Every radio device on a commercial airplane type acceptance has been tested for proper operation and lack of interference. Allowing any passenger to transmit on any frequency for any purpose could be extremely dangerous or fatal. It is not worth the risk, hence it is banned.

Unsure why but i thought we would be seeing you doing the jump with the radio. 😂 Been using Eufy cams since before lockdown and they have been very reliable, a few are starting to mist up now but on a whole recommended.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Same with Eufy, they are great

A few years ago, in Fort Madison area "Balloons Over The Mississippi" had one group using 146.410 for their chase crew's operations....UNLICENSED!!! I thought about reporting them, but but but who knows where they are now, and if they are even using said frequency......

2m SSB call frequency is 144.200. That may very state to state along with the AM call frequency. Here in Tennessee, there's no 2m AM call frequency per SERA band plan. Come to think about it, I should send them an email about 2m and 70cm AM call frequencies.

I'm gonna have to use some Judas Priest for the intro to my next Parachute Mobile video.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Lol

@hparkersd

Ай бұрын

❤

It is a business, right? So radio used for business purposes?

@IO_Darren

Ай бұрын

That's what my thought was. I was pretty damed sure that as a BIg no no.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Again, it depends on what they are using the radios for. Many companies have Ham Radio clubs but if they are conducting actual business, then they wouldn't be able to use Ham frequencies (or shouldn't....)

Ok, does everyone see what the skydiving company did wrong here? Anyone? Alrighty then... First thing was not being licensed for amateur radio. Second thing was choosing a repeater output frequency to operate on. Someone 50 miles away heard them and filed the complaint. Why the radio guru at the skydiving company didn't use bubblepack FRS radios is beyond me. That is the ultimate solution to the problem. They must have been causing a lot of interference to get the attention of Uncle Charlie. There's a lot more money to be made by busting pirate FM stations without the ASCAP/BMI license.

@mikesmith-po8nd

Ай бұрын

@spaceflight1019, I am absolutely appalled at how many people in the comment section think that this is not a problem. And I'm shocked by how many of them have obviously never read Part 97.

Yes

Elsinore is a big DZ. Wild guess they were just using them to talk to different areas on the ground, probably not knowing they were licensed bands. I've seen more than a few base jumpers and paragliders using fengs to coordinate, without licenses.

Can the Eufy cameras work across a Mesh Network like the Sunba cameras - ie. do they have the access software built in to the camera - unlike Foscam - both are great cameras - Sunba works across Mesh, Foscam sadly does not. As a former put-put pilot, I am not jumping out of a perfectly good airplane - even to make interesting and more log-able contacts. Thanks for an interesting video. KI7LXY

Even with a HAM radio license they are still in violation but conducting business operations . FRS/MURS/GMRS would be better choice but GMRS still needs a license ! . Their is business frequency's they can use with a single license and be legal. all they need to do is apply and pay fee. 73's

@wilcoxtactical3716

Ай бұрын

Nothing will happen to them. The FCC sends out stupid notices all the time but they can't do much if you just avoid talking to them. The FCC is a joke.

Antenna is above 200ft ? Thats the first thing that came to mind

I just did a jump... I didn't think about taking a radio...

What surprises me is FCC has agents to investigate unlicensed use or the FCC would actually deploy resources for such. While they are tasked for enforcing the airwaves, I see them basically auctioning spectrum or chasing down broadcasters that do politically disagreeable material of elected officials.

Just have to have a flashing red light for antenna elevation.

Shouldnt they be using Airband?

Even if they have a license wouldn't it be in violation if they are using the ham frequencies while running a business?

@mikesmith-po8nd

Ай бұрын

Yes, Part 97.113(2)

How high can you transmit on your ham radio? Well.... Lets take a gander at the FCC regulations. §97.3 Definitions. (41) Space station. An amateur station located more than 50 km above the Earth's surface. So it looks like you can still transmit above 50 kilometers but you are reclassified as a 'space station' so there may be different rules. The highest possible civilian plane flight would be about 50,000 feet or 15 kilometers so it looks like sky divers and aviation enthusiasts don't need to worry about the special rules for amateur radio space stations. §97.5 Station license required. (a) ... the station may transmit on any amateur service frequency from any place that is: (1) Within 50 km of the Earth's surface and at a place where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC; (2) Within 50 km of the Earth's surface and aboard any vessel or craft that is documented or registered in the United States; or (3) More than 50 km above the Earth's surface aboard any craft that is documented or registered in the United States.

Maybe they were testing the radio to see if it was good for an emergency. Then get a license.

@wilcoxtactical3716

Ай бұрын

If it was an actual emergency then then wouldn't have needed a license at all.

Perhaps this is the same guy? We have a guy out here that does exactly the same thing! 😮

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Not sure

Pretty cool but I am sure I could never jump from a plane.

Remember that 70 cm is shared with the US military, hams are secondary users.

@k6usy

Ай бұрын

A lot of people forget about this. I see military radar on my spectrum scope on 70cm all the time.

That is cool as shit!!!

Lets Change The Scenario: A Private Pilot going from point "A" to point "B" wants his buddy who is an aircraft dispatcher [OFF-DUTY] to look out for him during a flight someone sitting at a desk checking the progress of his or her flight...Contacting him or her if need be because of bad weather or a TFR that popped up. Contacting him or her by APRS 144.39 Mhz via sms to give the closest echolink or allstar node. NOTE: "private pilot dispatcher" would not need FAA credentials and both parties need to have an FCC license using their Ham radio license and NOT the tail number to the airplane. Also Note the definition Private Pilot Certificate/Who is Commencing the operation of the flight. Not a business! A very similar setup to what a company would have.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Yeah that is a good example. Like I mentioned, it is all about what they are using it for.

@craigdavidson2977

Ай бұрын

I don't believe the FCC cares anything about tail numbers or FAA credentials. If either person is communicating over ham radio while they are getting paid then it is not allowed. If they are doing it for free than its fine.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

@craigdavidson2977 getting paid or not paid has nothing to do with it. You can use Ham Radio for business communication

@craigdavidson2977

Ай бұрын

As an example, the Red Cross is in the business of distributing food and other aid to people in need and many of their volunteers coordinate their 'business activity' through ham radio. Paid staff are not allowed to use ham radio but the volunteers are.

@craigdavidson2977

Ай бұрын

@@HamRadio2 There was another famous example back in the 1970's... Ordering a pizza over the autopatch. It is legal to call up a pizza restaurant over ham radio and order a pizza because the ham operator conducing business is not getting paid.

Pretty sad Mustang that only goes 140!!!

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Lol

@Robbie-sk6vc

Ай бұрын

That's the cheaper version. 😉

They have been using them for years, I've heard them before.. I thought they were licensed...

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Apparently not

@richardhole8429

Ай бұрын

Were they properly identifying each transmitter? Jot down the call sign(s). If not identifying, licensed or not, they are illegal. Business, no can do. One-way transmissions, only brief, for testing, and identified.

why not if you are licensed?

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Why not, what?

@mikesmith-po8nd

Ай бұрын

How about that Part 97.113 (2) specifically forbids business use, even if it indirectly benefits the business.

@jerryKB2GCG

Ай бұрын

@@HamRadio2 why wouldn’t it be legal

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

@@jerryKB2GCG it depends on what it is being used for. This Skydiving outfit is a business, so many of the comments here are assuming they were using the frequencies for business, and that isn't legal. That is one reason it is called "Amateur" radio. But the article I read dind't specifically say it was being used for business comms, so it is possible that were using it for something else - but since no one was licensed, it was illegal anyway

I thought Ham radio was not allowed for business use.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

It's not. But the article didn't specify exactly what they were using it for

Cool 👍. I don't know if I could do that. I would be more concerned about the ground getting closer and closer.😂 But still cool.

Why don't they get on 75m and 40m and stop the craziness going on. Not giving call, and other things.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Good question

Is it legal to use in a Glider? On a Parasail Glider? On a Boat with a Goat In a Box with a Fox But honestly I have people in my area (central Florida) that chat on 146.XX while gliding. My real Question is; shouldn't they use aeronautical radios?

@JeffN4POD

Ай бұрын

It depends on how they're using them as well as if they are licensed. A lot of pilots are hams. So many in fact that there was a really good repeater in the Central Florida area owned by pilots. Not sure if it still is there as I moved out of Florida a few years ago. I've worked an aeronautical mobile jet on 40m before.

@JeffN4POD

Ай бұрын

Nothing wrong with private individuals flying gliders, ultralights, balloons, etc. talking to each other or their chase vehicles... As long as it's not part of conducting business. For example, you're a glider or ultralight rental company.

@Rusted_Link

Ай бұрын

@@JeffN4POD still need a license.

@timothystockman7533

Ай бұрын

I have operated N3TS/AM from glider N5QD.

Hot air balloon would be cool

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

Yes

If we can use ham radio in our cars & boats, then there is no reason we can't use it in an airplane! Or when jumping out of an airplane! But ignorance of the law is No Excuse!

@kayhoww

Ай бұрын

Do you hunt?

Extremely flawed point on the “140 mph mustang” (not much of a car guy are you?) There are speed limits posted everywhere telling you can’t speed, even children know cops pull you over for it.

@HamRadio2

Ай бұрын

You completely missed my point

Imagine being so pretentious