kfr (12/14/82)
It seems that a large number of HAM's are under the impression that they can use portable radio equipment on board an airliner as long as they ask the crew and get their permission. THIS IS INCORRECT - HAM RADIOS ARE ILLEGAL ON AIRLINERS Although Part 97 of the FCC rules indicates that the pilot can give permission, the FAA's rules (FAR 91.19c) states that only the airline itself, and not the pilot, can give permission to operate. The rules are quite explicit on this point, and I wish you the best of luck in trying to get official airline permission to operate (as far as I know, it has only happened once in the mid 70's. The operator was an airline maintenance employee and helped do the required testing). Whenever a HAM is aboard an airliner, that person is bound by both Part 97, AND the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR's), even though the FCC hasn't realized it yet. I've seen what my 2 meter rig can do to aircraft navigation radios, and I sure wouldn't want to be on an airliner that was experiencing the same kind of interference. Kevin Redden BTL-HO 201 949-3268
kco (12/15/82)
Mr. Redden said that a 2 meter rig onboard an aircraft could interfere with aircraft navigation radios. Could a 2 meter ground rig interfere with nearby aircraft radios, for example, where an aircraft is following the glideslope or localizer on an instrument approach? Which radios, if any, would be affected?
Schiller@MIT-MULTICS (12/17/82)
From: Schiller at MIT-MULTICS (Jeffrey I. Schiller) There is an article/column in one of the recent (maybe the most recent I don't have it in front of me) issue of QST (the journal of the American Radio Rely League) explaining the rules reguarding use of Amateur Radio equipment onboard an airliner. It also gives examples of kinds of lossage that can be encountered when a radio is used on board.