This group covers who is in charge of a station when it transmits: control operators, who designates them, the privileges they carry, and the different ways a station can be controlled.
Control operator basics
A control operator is an amateur operator designated by the station licensee to be responsible for the station’s transmissions and compliance with FCC rules (§97.3). The licensee, not the FCC or a frequency coordinator, makes that designation (§97.103). The person who happens to be speaking is not automatically the control operator.
Every station that transmits must have a control operator (§97.7). That includes stations under automatic control, such as repeaters.
Responsibility
The station licensee and the control operator are equally responsible for proper operation when they are different people. Neither can blame the other.
Privileges
Transmitting privileges are set by the class of license held by the control operator (§97.105(b)). The license printed on the grant, the highest class on the premises, or a coordinator’s authorization does not change it. A Technician may not be control operator in an Amateur Extra band segment, even when an Extra class licensee asks them to or the club trustee is an Extra.
For satellites and space stations, any amateur allowed to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency may be the control operator. No special certification applies.
Control point
The control point is the location where the control operator function is performed (§97.3). It is not necessarily at the antenna or transmitter.
Control types
Type
Meaning
Local
Control operator at the station location
Remote
Control operator at a distance, using a control link, for example over the internet
Automatic
Station operates without a control operator at the control point, such as a repeater
Any amateur station may use remote control (§97.109(c)). It is not limited to repeaters or digital stations. Sending CW or identifying by computer is not a control type in itself, and controlling a model aircraft by radio is a different use of the spectrum.
Key facts to memorize
§97.7: every transmitting station must have a control operator.
§97.103: licensee designates the control operator; both share responsibility.
§97.105(b): privileges follow the control operator’s license class.
A Technician may not be control operator in an Amateur Extra segment.
Control point: where the control operator function is performed.
Automatic control example: repeater.
Remote control example: operating the station over the internet.
Satellite control operator: anyone with uplink privileges.
Questions in this group (11): answers shown
T1E01 · §97.7(a)
When may an amateur station transmit without a control operator?
A. When using automatic control, such as in the case of a repeater
B. When the station licensee is away and another licensed amateur is using the station
C. When the transmitting station is an auxiliary station
D. Never ✓ Correct answer
Section 97.7 requires every amateur station to have a control operator whenever it transmits. Automatic control, as in a repeater, only means the control operator need not be at the control point (section 97.109(d)); the station still has one. Auxiliary stations need one too.
T1E02 · §97.301, 97.207(c)
Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?
A. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator
B. A General class or higher licensee with a satellite operator certification
C. Only an Amateur Extra Class operator who is also an AMSAT member
D. Any amateur allowed to transmit on the satellite uplink frequency ✓ Correct answer
A control operator on an amateur satellite or space station needs only privileges that allow transmitting on the uplink frequency. No special class, certification or membership is required.
T1E03 · §97.103(b)
Who must designate the station control operator?
A. The station licensee ✓ Correct answer
B. The FCC
C. The frequency coordinator
D. Any licensed operator
The station licensee designates the control operator (section 97.103). The FCC and frequency coordinators do not make the designation.
T1E04 · §97.103(b)
What determines the transmitting frequency privileges of an amateur station?
A. The frequency authorized by the frequency coordinator
B. The frequencies printed on the license grant
C. The highest class of operator license held by anyone on the premises
D. The class of operator license held by the control operator ✓ Correct answer
Section 97.105(b) says a station may be operated only within the privileges of the license class held by the control operator. The licensee's class, a frequency coordinator, or other licensed people on the premises do not set the privileges.
T1E05 · §97.3(a)(14)
What is an amateur station’s control point?
A. The location of the station’s transmitting antenna
B. The location of the station’s transmitting apparatus
C. The location at which the control operator function is performed ✓ Correct answer
D. The mailing address of the station licensee
Section 97.3 defines the control point as the location at which the control operator function is performed. It may be anywhere the station is controlled from, and is not the antenna, the transmitter, or a mailing address.
T1E06 · §97.301
When, other than during an emergency, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station operating in an Amateur Extra Class band segment?
A. At no time ✓ Correct answer
B. When designated as the control operator by an Amateur Extra Class licensee
C. As part of a multi-operator contest team
D. When using a club station whose trustee holds an Amateur Extra Class license
A Technician may not be control operator in an Amateur Extra band segment, even if an Extra class operator designates them or the club trustee is an Extra. Section 97.105(b) limits operation to the privileges of the control operator's own license class, and section 97.301 reserves those segments for Extras.
T1E07 · §97.103(a)
When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the station?
A. All licensed amateurs who are present at the operation
B. Only the station licensee
C. Only the control operator
D. The control operator and the station licensee ✓ Correct answer
The station licensee and the control operator are equally responsible for proper operation (section 97.103). Neither escapes responsibility just because someone else is at the key.
T1E08 · §97.3(a)(6), 97.205(d)
Which of the following is an example of automatic control?
A. Repeater operation ✓ Correct answer
B. Controlling a station over the internet
C. Using a computer or other device to send CW automatically
D. Using a computer or other device to identify automatically
Automatic control means a station operates without a control operator present at the control point, as with a repeater (section 97.3). Internet operation is remote control, and sending CW by computer is not a control type.
T1E09 · §97.109(c)
Which amateur stations may be remotely controlled?
A. Only repeater stations
B. Only automatically controlled stations
C. Only digital stations
D. Any station ✓ Correct answer
Section 97.109(c) says any station may be remotely controlled, meaning the control operator adjusts it indirectly through a control link (section 97.3). Remote control is not limited to repeaters, automatically controlled stations or digital stations.
T1E10 · §97.3(a)(39)
Which of the following is an example of remote control as defined in Part 97?
A. A software defined radio (SDR)
B. Operating the station over the internet ✓ Correct answer
C. Controlling a model aircraft, boat, or car by amateur radio
D. Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) communication
Remote control means operating a station from a distance through a control link, such as over the internet. An SDR is only a type of radio, and model craft control and EME are different activities.
T1E11 · §97.3(a)(13)
What is a control operator as defined in Part 97?
A. The person speaking or otherwise communicating messages over an amateur station
B. The person who is the licensee of an amateur station
C. An amateur operator identified in the FCC database as responsible for transmissions and FCC rules compliance at a station license location
D. An amateur operator designated by the licensee of a station to be responsible for transmissions and FCC rules compliance at that station ✓ Correct answer
Section 97.3 defines a control operator as an amateur operator designated by the licensee to be responsible for the station's transmissions and compliance with FCC rules. The speaker or the licensee is not automatically the control operator.