Licensing Regulations – United States
Equipment sold by Marshall Radio Telemetry is designed to meet the requirements of certain U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for the particular frequency on which it operates. Regulations in other jurisdictions are different and it is up to the user in any particular region to operate the equipment in accord with the relevant rules.
In the U.S. in many cases license-free operation of radio-location equipment is allowed, but in other situations FCC rules require the user to obtain a license. Operation under certain FCC Rules requires that transmitters identify themselves with a Call Sign or other identification (e.g. Part 90.238 (a), (e) – Temporary Call Signs.) If this applies to your transmitter, please notify Marshall Radio Telemetry so we can program the transmitter to periodically transmit your callsign as required.
Applicable Regulation
Your usage of Marshall Radio Telemetry equipment may be governed by one or more of the following regulations:
151 – 155 MHz:
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 95 PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES, Subpart J – Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS).
173 MHz:
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 90 PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES:
Subpart B – Public Safety Radio Pool; esp. Part 90.20(e)(6) – Recovery of Stolen Vehicles, Missing Persons, Wanted Persons
Subpart J – Non-Voice and Other Specialized Operations; esp. Part 90.238 – Telemetry
216 – 217 MHz:
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 95 PERSONAL RADIO SEVICES, Subpart G – Low Power Radio Service (LPRS).
216 – 220 MHz:
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 90 PRIATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES:
Subpart C – Industrial/Business Radio Pool
See Part 90.259 (a) – Assignment and use of frequencies in the bands 216-220 MHz
Subpart J – Non-Voice and Other Specialized Operations:
Part 90.238 – Telemetry
Part 90.248 – Wildlife Tracking and telemetry
220-222 MHz:
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 90 PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES, Subpart J – Non-Voice and Other
Specialized Operations; esp. Part 90.238 – Telemetry
222 – 225 MHz:
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 97 – AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
420 – 450 MHz:
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 90 – PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES, Subpart F Radio-location Service
C.F.R 47 FCC Part 97 – AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
The use of the 434 MHz (or UHF) band in the USA & Canada requires the user to apply for a Ham Radio License (easily attainable by paying a small fee and passing a written test). Once done, the user is now a legal ‘station’ and is able to use the quiet UHF band and at much higher power levels. To legally use telemetry on this band, your transmitter must broadcast your station ID (Ham Radio Call Sign, a feature exclusive to Marshall transmitters). You simply enter your call sign into AeroVision.
If you do not have an Amateur Radio License, you might be surprised how easy it is to obtain one. Pass a simple test, for which you can study all the answers in advance, pay ten dollars and with and 80% passing grade, you have a ten-year license, new knowledge about Radio Telemetry and the authorization to use the non-commercial bands (such as 433-434) not only for tracking but communication and emergencies.
For those wanting to find out what’s required to get a HAM License, here’s a great place to start: How to get your Amateur Radio License