FCC Question Pool Review

Technician Class (Element 2) • 2022-2026

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Question T1F07

From subelement T1 - T1F

T1F07
Answer: B

Which of the following restrictions apply when a non-licensed person is allowed to speak to a foreign station using a station under the control of a licensed amateur operator?

AThe person must be a U.S. citizen
BThe foreign station must be in a country with which the U.S. has a third party agreement
CThe licensed control operator must do the station identification
DAll these choices are correct

Why is this correct?

The correct answer is B because Part 97 specifically requires third-party agreements between countries for non-licensed persons to communicate internationally through amateur stations. This is like needing 'parental permission for an international field trip' — both countries must have a handshake agreement allowing such communications. Option A is wrong because citizenship doesn't matter; Option C is incorrect because the control operator doesn't need to handle identification during the conversation itself.

Memory tip

Remember the pattern: domestic third-party communications are generally unrestricted, but international requires bilateral agreements. Think 'domestic = free, international = needs permission.' This same principle applies across many amateur radio regulations where international operations have additional requirements beyond domestic ones.

Learn more

Third-party communications represent a unique amateur radio privilege allowing non-licensed individuals to participate in amateur communications under proper control operator supervision. The restriction exists because not all countries permit amateur radio to carry third-party traffic — some view it as competing with their commercial telecommunications services. The FCC maintains a list of countries with valid third-party agreements, and operators must verify current status before allowing international third-party communications.

Think about it

Why do you think some countries might object to amateur radio third-party communications while others embrace them?