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T1E01

COMMISSION'S RULES · Control operator: eligibility, designating, privileges, duties, location, required; Control point; Control types: automatic, remote

T1E01§ 97.7(a)T1E →

When may an amateur station transmit without a control operator?

  1. AWhen using automatic control, such as in the case of a repeater
  2. BWhen the station licensee is away and another licensed amateur is using the station
  3. CWhen the transmitting station is an auxiliary station
  4. DNever
Why FCC 97.7 states that when an amateur station is transmitting, a control operator must be designated at all times. Automatic control (repeaters) and remote control do not remove the control operator requirement; they only change where that operator is and how the station is supervised. Someone always bears responsibility for the emissions, so the answer is that it never happens without one.
Watch out Automatic control, as with a repeater, is tempting because no human is watching each transmission, but the repeater's trustee is still the designated control operator and remains responsible.
Every transmission has someone responsible: no control operator, no transmitting. Answer is 'Never'.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
47 CFR 97.7(a) Control operator required.

When transmitting, each amateur station must have a control operator. The control operator must be a person:

(a) For whom an amateur operator/primary station license grant appears on the ULS consolidated licensee database, or

(b) Who is authorized for alien reciprocal operation by § 97.107 of this part.

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov
All of T1E T1E02 →

The rest of T1E

  1. T1E01 When may an amateur station transmit without a control operator?
  2. T1E02 Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?
  3. T1E03 Who must designate the station control operator?
  4. T1E04 What determines the transmitting frequency privileges of an amateur station?
  5. T1E05 What is an amateur station's control point?
  6. T1E06 When, other than during an emergency, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station op…
  7. T1E07 When the control operator is not the station licensee, who is responsible for the proper operation of the sta…
  8. T1E08 Which of the following is an example of automatic control?
  9. T1E09 Which amateur stations may be remotely controlled?
  10. T1E10 Which of the following is an example of remote control as defined in Part 97?
  11. T1E11 What is a control operator as defined in Part 97?
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