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G1B11

COMMISSION'S RULES · - Antenna structure limitations; good engineering and good amateur practice; beacon operation; prohibited transmissions; retransmitting radio signals

G1B11§ 97.101(a)G1B →

Who or what determines "good engineering and good amateur practice," as applied to the operation of an amateur station in all respects not covered by the Part 97 rules?

  1. AThe FCC
  2. BThe control operator
  3. CThe IEEE
  4. DThe ITU
Why Section 97.101(a) says each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice, and the FCC has long held that it alone is the arbiter of what that means in situations the written rules do not address. That gives the Commission authority to act against operating practices even when no specific rule is cited. The standard is deliberately open-ended so it can cover new technology and unforeseen situations.
Watch out The control operator is responsible for the station's proper operation, but the operator does not get to define the standard being applied; IEEE and the ITU publish technical standards and international regulations, not US enforcement interpretations of Part 97.
97.101(a): when the rules are silent, the FCC decides what counts as good practice. The regulator judges, not the operator.
HamSandwich explanation, first draft. The question and answers are the NCVEC text.
47 CFR 97.101(a) General standards.

(a) In all respects not specifically covered by FCC Rules each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice.

(b) Each station licensee and each control operator must cooperate in selecting transmitting channels and in making the most effective use of the amateur service frequencies. No frequency will be assigned for the exclusive use of any station.

(c) At all times and on all frequencies, each control operator must give priority to stations providing emergency communications, except to stations transmitting communications for training drills and tests in RACES.

(d) No amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or signal.

eCFR text as of 1 Sep 2026 · read on ecfr.gov
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The rest of G1B

  1. G1B01 What is the maximum height above ground for an antenna structure not near a public use airport without requir…
  2. G1B02 With which of the following conditions must beacon stations comply?
  3. G1B03 Which of the following is a purpose of a beacon station as identified in the FCC rules?
  4. G1B04 Which of the following transmissions is permitted for all amateur stations?
  5. G1B05 Which of the following one-way transmissions are permitted?
  6. G1B06 Under what conditions are state and local governments permitted to regulate amateur radio antenna structures?
  7. G1B07 What are the restrictions on the use of abbreviations or procedural signals in the amateur service?
  8. G1B08 When is it permissible to communicate with amateur stations in countries outside the areas administered by th…
  9. G1B09 On what HF frequencies are automatically controlled beacons permitted?
  10. G1B10 What is the power limit for beacon stations?
  11. G1B11 Who or what determines "good engineering and good amateur practice," as applied to the operation of an amateu…
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