I will repoint my quest to finding out if it legal for me to use the Garmin. I misunderstod some of the posts on being RSO. I have never check to see if a flier was "legal".
then you are not doing your job. All flyers must have a current membership to fly HPR. Most clubs hosting a large or larger launch does this at the registration table and give you a badge or wrist band to indicate your certification level and that you have been registered to fly at the event and someone has checked your card. Some seasoned flyers will have there card on a hanging from around their neck but all should have it in their pocket. If you are RSO you need to know that they are at the level needed to fly they motor in their rocket and also that they have a membership that is up to date. If not you, your club and ultimately the national organization that is insuring the event could have an issue if something would go terribly wrong. Remember, you put your name to the flight card, right? This is all about making sure that we follow all our safety rules and guidelines that we have set up so that we can keep our insurance and we can keep doing what we do and do not get written out of existence by legislation and other alphabet agencies.
beezwax said:
Wow, well I don't know if this thread will end up answering any questions about the legality of MURS in rockets or not but it is definitely giving me a different understanding of RSOs and NAR/Tripoli. So hypothetically speaking, let's say the FCC response to Chuck's inquiry is negative. They do not approve this repurposing of dog-trackers, and just to remove all doubt the next time the federal regs are published they've added a line specifically prohibiting MURS in rocketry. Now I'm at the RSO table and either he notices I'm using a Garmin Astro or he asks me about tracking (most folks at a launch like to talk rockets, and my RSO chats certainly seem to cover more than strict safety points). So he says actually the new FCC regs are out and Garmins are illegal, and I can just tell him to "Take a hike"? And as long as I meet CP/CG and whatever other specific points are in the HPR safety code he actually can't stop me from launching my rocket? I would actually be more disillusioned and disappointed about this than if MURS really does end up being prohibited. What a joke.
First off there are so many different things that have nothing to do with rockets and we as hobbyists bring so many different experience levels, skill sets and back backgrounds from so many different fields and hobbies that it would be impossible for anyone to expect the RSO to know and understand the rules and regulations of the FCC and any other regulatory agency that does not specifically deal directly within our own hobby. So when said rocketeer comes to the RSO table you are only looking at what we need to, to insure a safe launch and that we are doing our due diligence to help maintain a safe launch environment for everyone.
Secondly the FCC regulations are not clear with the use inside of a rocket and you do not want to enforce a rule that you, your self do not fully understand and can quote the reg's. Even with the answers so fare and what maybe still to come they still may not put it to paper and make things real clear. Until they have actual facts and have cases of "Harmful Interference" they may never give you a straight answer. The FCC is only going to take action when their is a reported case of interference and only then will you likely see a change in regulation. The regulations may not always be helpful when using out side of the box. As a user you should be very conscious of interference, even as a licensed user you can not cause any interference and if you find that you are, you need to stop transmitting and resolve it before transmitting again. You are responsible for any and all interference you cause and can get in big trouble if you do not. From what I here, the FCC has a big and swift wrath and you do not want them looking for you.
I think by know you have seen something constant in what people say about the different hobbies, it comes down to the individual being responsible for his or hers own actions.
You will never hear if the use of MURS is legal or not here, if you do I would still only take it as an opinion and not law. Until it is in writing it will be only a persons interpretation but may still put you in front of a judge to get his interpretation. No one wants to be there.
Who cares what kind of tracker someone is using? as long as the use is not causing any interference on the flight light or anywhere else its not your concern. If there is someone causing interference, I am sure that any HAM could find it and let the user know and if it is a problem then the FCC can be contacted. its not a joke, its how it is.
We don't see tax guys going to the FAA to check regulations on airlines to see that they are meeting all the FAA regulations, right?