ARRL Technician Practice Exam

From which of the following locations may an FCC-licensed amateur station transmit?

1. From a hotel room in a foreign country

2. From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States

3. From an unregulated country

4. From any location on land within the United States

The correct answer is: From any vessel or craft located in international waters and documented or registered in the United States

Transmitting from any vessel or craft located in international waters that is documented or registered in the United States is permissible for an FCC-licensed amateur station. This is due to the fact that while international waters are outside of any single country's jurisdiction, vessels registered in the U.S. are subject to U.S. laws, including telecommunications regulations set by the FCC. Thus, as long as the station operates in compliance with these regulations, it is allowed to transmit. The other options highlight various locations where the ability to transmit may depend on different regulations or circumstances. For example, transmitting from a hotel room in a foreign country or from an unregulated country can involve complexities of both international law and the laws of the host country concerning radio transmissions. Similarly, while the option of transmitting from any location on land within the United States may seem plausible, it must still adhere to local amateur radio operation regulations, authorizations, and restrictions, thus making it less definitive compared to option B.