Today while our ARES group was deployed with our county EMA in support of an air show our EMA contact asked if we could set up a way to have various internet-connected PC users to chat and transfer files during a deployment or excercise. ?I showed him D-Rats, and he liked the solution. ?We talked about setting up a ratflector for the county. One thing he asked, though, deserves some extra thought. ?

Can non-hams use D-Rats? ?I think he wants dispatchers on the county MCV to have access to it. ?My first thought is yes, since we are talking about internet connected devices, it would be ok for non-hams to use our ratflector. ?

But, what if we eventually tie in RF connected stations? ?The radios will certainly have to be operated by hams. ?But, would we be legal if we had non-hams using D-Rats on internet-connected (not RF connected) PCs set up with tactical callsigns?

If the Control Operator is licensed and on-site for the band you're transmitting on you shoud be OK.

A transmission is a transmission where it's voice or data VOIP thats eventually transmitted over to RF on Amateur Freqs, so look at the "Control Station Operator Rules."

Example;

Field Day Demos;

A Non Licensee(walk up civilian) can use the privileges of an Extra Class(or other License Class) if the Extra Class is the Station or Control Operator and operating within his privileges.? The Extra Class has to be present at the station.

I would review the "peculiar use" restrictions/rules, (just as a refresher if the EMA has additional questions or what if's)..

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