Re: [Paddlewise] Ch 16 and DSC

On 11/17/06, Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> wrote:
>
>
> It should be mentioned that an unwritten tenet of the FCC's rules is that
> any radio device used in a true emergency can be used in any way, without
> penalty.  I'd be amazed if there is a single piece of US case law in which
> prosecution occurred under these circumstances.


Let me second this. I have, in fact, participated in a radio rescue at sea
using frequencies which were unauthorized (but available on the vessel's
marine SSB transceiver). I subsequently received a "notice of violation"
from the FCC and responded by stating that the communications were
undertaken during an emergency at sea (which the transcripts of the
transmissions - interecepted - clearly showed) and that no other frequency
or radio channel were available at that time to successfully pass the
necessary information.

Nothing more was said.

This was, mind you, 20 years ago but I've heard nothing to contradict this
in either professional mariner circles or amateur circles in the USA to
contradict it.


Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA
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