Question T1E06
From subelement T1 - T1E
When, under normal circumstances, may a Technician class licensee be the control operator of a station operating in an Amateur Extra Class band segment?
Why is this correct?
A Technician class licensee cannot be the control operator of a station operating in Amateur Extra Class band segments because the control operator's license class determines the station's frequency privileges. Since Technicians lack Amateur Extra frequency privileges, they cannot operate in those bands regardless of who owns the station or designates them. The control operator's privileges, not the station licensee's or trustee's privileges, govern what frequencies can be used.
Memory tip
Remember the key principle: frequency privileges always follow the control operator's license class, never the station owner's class. This applies universally across all amateur radio operations, from club stations to contest teams to guest operations.
Learn more
Part 97.301 establishes that amateur stations may only transmit on frequencies authorized to the control operator's license class. This fundamental principle ensures that operators demonstrate competency before accessing advanced frequency allocations with greater interference potential or international coordination requirements. Amateur Extra bands often contain weak-signal modes requiring advanced technical knowledge and operational discipline that Extra class examination validates.
Think about it
Why do you think the FCC requires the control operator's license class to determine frequency privileges rather than allowing higher-class licensees to delegate their privileges to lower-class operators?