ARRL Technician Practice Exam

Who is accountable should a repeater inadvertently retransmit communications that violate the FCC rules?

1. The control operator of the originating station

2. The owner of the repeater

3. The technician in charge

4. The foreign station contacted

The correct answer is: The control operator of the originating station

The accountability for communications that violate FCC rules during retransmission by a repeater falls on the control operator of the originating station. This is because the control operator is responsible for ensuring that any communications they initiate from their station comply with all applicable regulations. When using repeaters, even though the repeater may be physically owned by someone else, the originating station's control operator is the one initiating the communication and is therefore liable for its content. The control operator should monitor all transmissions and be aware of the nature of the communications that are being sent, regardless of the medium used, which includes the use of repeaters. The ownership of the repeater does not confer responsibility for the content of the transmissions, as the owner may not be directly involved in the communications being sent. Similarly, the technician in charge might manage the technical aspects of the repeater but may not bear responsibility for the content of the communications. Lastly, the foreign station contacted is not responsible for the actions or compliance of the originating station's transmission, as they are merely the recipient of a communication. Therefore, the control operator's responsibility remains paramount in ensuring adherence to FCC regulations.