Using other freqs to communicate between planes or ground?

"Gary G"
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-I've wondered if it is legal to utilize an "unused" frequency to communicate
between planes or
-to someone on the ground for non-critical communication?

Absolutely not, unless the "unused" frequency is assigned by license to either
you or the ground station. There is only one air to air frequency for airPLANES
(122.75) and another one for rotorwing aircraft (123.025). (Ref 47CFR87 sub F)



-Is that legal?

Again, illegal as hell unless one of you has applied for and been granted the
FCC (not FAA) license for the frequency for the purpose intended in 14CFR87.

Jim


Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

unless the "unused" frequency is assigned by license to either
you or the ground station.

Jim, got a link for how to apply for the permit required?

I learned that (perhaps it's a state law) law-enforcement types don't want you
to use a portable scanner-type radio tunable to cop frequencies when you're
mobile. It's understandable, given the tendency of Bad Guys to use such a
situation to evade enforcement. But a licensed ham radio operator is exempt
from that. I carry a printout of that regulation in my glove compartment since
I carry a portable scanner...even though it's programmed only with aviation
frequencies.

If it's not ferociously expensive I could see getting the required license in
case I can ever afford a mobile radio that transmits on the av freqs, too.

Google on "FCC form 406" and be quite liberal in your story about why you need
the license...don't LIE, but use puffery to the extent you are comfortable with
it. Me? I had 350 students in my "flight school". I didn't have to tell them
that it was over the course of 35 years of instruction that I accumulated those
"students".

Jim


(StellaStar)
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

-unless the "unused" frequency is assigned by license to either
-you or the ground station.
-
-Jim, got a link for how to apply for the permit required?
-
-I learned that (perhaps it's a state law) law-enforcement types don't want you
-to use a portable scanner-type radio tunable to cop frequencies when you're
-mobile. It's understandable, given the tendency of Bad Guys to use such a
-situation to evade enforcement. But a licensed ham radio operator is exempt
-from that. I carry a printout of that regulation in my glove compartment
since
-I carry a portable scanner...even though it's programmed only with aviation
-frequencies.
-
-If it's not ferociously expensive I could see getting the required license in
-case I can ever afford a mobile radio that transmits on the av freqs, too.

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com