MCLIC
U.S. Post Office Box 8
Morganville, N.J. 07751-0008
To send us e-mail Click Here.
You are visitor number since 10/17/02
A. The Amateur Auxiliary is composed of ARRL volunteer appointees. One position within the Auxiliary is known as "Official Observer" or "OO". These are Amateurs located across the country who monitor the ham bands and notify Radio Amateurs of technical and operating discrepancies as a service to their fellow Amateurs. Most Amateurs very often unaware of the discrepancy or do not realize that what they are doing is potentially in violation, hence the purpose of the Amateur Auxiliary. OOs are helper-advisors, not "band cops." OOs may deal only with on-the-air violations of FCC Part 97 of the rules.
Furthermore, ARRL Official Observers (OO), while mainly concerned with unintentional violations, are part of the Volunteer Monitor Program (VOLMON) which includes Local Interference Committees (LIC). The LICs are an important part of the Amateur Auxiliary to the FCC. Most LICs are formed locally by Amateur Radio clubs or groups in-conjunction with the OO program at the direction of the ARRL Section Manager for the area. The LIC locates violators using FCC-approved radio direction finding (RDF) procedures and gathers evidence in a manner that facilitates enforcement. In addition to the national agreement between the ARRL and the FCC, most of our local sections have formal working agreements with the local FCC field office.
The OO program is one of the most important functions of the League. A sincere dedication to helping our brother and sister amateurs is required for appointment. Recruitment of new hams and League members is an integral part of the job of every League appointee. Appointees should take advantage of every opportunity to recruit a new ham or member to foster growth of Field Organization programs, and our abilities to serve the Amateur Radio community and the general public.
As part of the Communications Amendments Act of 1982, which is commonly known as Public Law 97-259, authority is given to the FCC to formally enlist the use of amateur volunteers in monitoring the airwaves for rules violations. Financial considerations do not allow the Government to provide the FCC with adequate resources to maintain the traditional high standard of control on the amateur bands as would be desirable. Moreover, changes in license structure have already caused an influx of operators into the Amateur Radio Service, creating an even greater potential need for monitoring of amateur band activity. As a result, the Amateur Auxiliary to the FCC has been created to assist in this important function in each ARRL Section. The Official Observer program has evolved as part of this Amateur Auxiliary to the FCC.
As most Hams know, the OO program has been controversial. Many who do not understand how such a program works see the Official Observer as a kind of "Radio Policeman", generally in the most negative sense. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, the OO can hand out "citations", which are formally known as Advisory Notices, but there is no sanction of any kind implied in the Advisory Notice, and in fact, it is intended as a friendly notification to the Ham who receives one that there may be something out of order with their station of a technical nature. Unfortunately, there are situations that occur on our Amateur Radio bands that are serious violation of FCC rules, and hence, violation of Federal Law. These can include malicious interference, violations of obscenity and profanity statutes, and repeated and intentional operation of Amateur Radio bands without FCC authorization, among other things.
The Official Observer's job is to note discrepancies and call them to the attention of those who very often are unaware of the discrepancy or who do not realize that what they are doing is potentially in violation. For example, it is quite common for an amateur to be unaware of a harmonic or spurious signal strong enough to be heard in distant places, even outside of the amateur bands. New Hams are especially subject to this discrepancy. Most Hams are grateful to be notified, and even higher license classes of Hams, particularly those running increased power, are at risk of unintentionally producing undue harmonic radiation. The most common expressions of violations of this type are key clicks and chirp on a CW signal by an operator who is unaware of a problem with their station. Broad signals, with by-products of splatter and distortion, are frequent on the phone bands, while FM signals are prone to over deviation. These are all technical difficulties that can be watcher for and are subject to notification. Most who receive notices about these kinds of problem invariably appreciate the notification. It must be remembered that key clicks and phone splatter can also result from receiver overload in the case of extremely strong signals, especially from nearby stations.
The NNJ Section Leadership welcomes anyone with an interest in becoming involved in the Official Observer program. Official Observers are among the most important of Field Organization appointees because OO's perform a function vital to the future of Amateur Radio's own well being. The OO must not only be a well-qualified amateur who is properly trained and certified for the job, but they must also be capable of exercising good judgment, tact, and diplomacy. There is no place in the Amateur Auxiliary/OO program for amateurs with uncontrollable prejudices or patronizing attitudes. OO's are dedicated to a mission of help and fraternalism, to advise fellow amateurs of potential violations of amateur regulations and to request that they take corrective measures in the interest of the general welfare of the Amateur Radio Service.
The role of the Official Observer is not enforcement. The OO's job is to collect information and documentation, and forward this data to the appropriate people upstream. The decision to follow up with legal action on a serious violation is strictly the decision of the FCC and their Attorneys. Accurate documentation of all data associated with repeated serious violations is absolutely critical in establishing a chain of evidence that holds up legally while still maintaining the Constitutional rights of those involved.
MCLIC
U.S. Post Office Box 8
Morganville, N.J. 07751-0008
To send us e-mail Click Here.
You are visitor number since 10/17/02